Promotional Items at a Craft/Trade Show

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Discussion Overview

This thread explores various promotional items and strategies used by participants at craft and trade shows, focusing on what items they have found effective to distribute and their experiences with food samples.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions considering handing out pens but is looking for affordable options.
  • Another participant shares their experience of giving out booking flyers and recipe cards, noting that recipe cards are more likely to be kept.
  • One participant agrees and discusses using postcard recipes and providing cake samples at fairs, which garnered positive responses and contact information from attendees.
  • Another participant expresses excitement about making cake samples for an upcoming street fair and seeks clarification on the recipe preparation.
  • One participant confirms that the cake mixes are used as ingredients without following the box instructions, sharing their creative approach to decorating the cakes.
  • Another participant shares their experience with making an apple cake, noting the differences in texture and sweetness when using a low wattage microwave oven.
  • One participant mentions stopping the practice of giving samples due to overwhelming crowds and now prefers to distribute recipe cards and engage attendees for contact information.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the effectiveness of giving out samples versus recipe cards, with some participants favoring one approach over the other.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences regarding promotional strategies at craft and trade shows, focusing on the types of items that have worked for them.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants looking for ideas on promotional items and strategies for engaging potential customers at events may find this discussion relevant.

Thinker
Gold Member
Messages
72
Has any given out pens (for example) at a craft/trade show? What did you hand out? Where did you buy it? I was thinking about handing our pens but I am looking for a good cheap price.
 
I usually just give a booking flyer and a recipe card with my info. They are more likely to keep the recipe card.
 
I agree. Postcard recipes. The last couple of fairs I also made the attached recipe (Chunky Monkey and the Black Forest Cakes were big hits). Put toothpicks in small pieces of the cake. People loved the samples and wanted the recipe. I got their contact information (on a drawing slip) so I could follow up. Many marked cooking, catalog, FD, etc. on their forms.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant
 

Attachments

Trish, those recipes are AWESOME! I cannot wait to make cake samples for a street fair I am doing in April!!!Just so I am clear, the cakes mixes in the recipes are just the mixes, right? You don't prepare them like it says on the box, just use the mixes as an ingredient, right??And I love that you can do them in the DCB, since I do not have a fluted pan yet and was thinking I was just out of luck with the micro cake recipes. Thanks so much!
 
bump, want to know the same also
 
just the mixIt is just the cake mix itself (but correct me if I am wrong).
 
It is just the cake mix. The 3 eggs make up for the liquids you would have used to make a regular cake. I used colored icing on the top of one of them to make it look like it had a flower on top. I thought that would be good to use in April, when April showers bring May flowers. You can also experiment with your favorite flavors of cake, pudding or pie filling, icing to make your own unique cake.

Trish Kidd
Independent Consultant
 
Those are great, thank you for sharing!!
 
I made the apple cake late last night (in the regular oven). Devoured by family for Easter brunch treat today. btw-- Not really happy with micro cakes in my low wattage oven, w/out a turntable. Cakes in other micros turned out fine.Used yellow cake mix, apple pie filling and PC cinnamon plus. It was more 'quick bread like' and really didn't taste as sweet as cake, which we found interesting.
 
Thinker said:
Has any given out pens (for example) at a craft/trade show? What did you hand out? Where did you buy it? I was thinking about handing our pens but I am looking for a good cheap price.

I stopped giving samples way back. People descend upon you like they haven't ate in a week. I just give out a recipe card with my contact info and try to engage them to fill out a drawing slip.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of promotional items are effective for a craft/trade show?

Effective promotional items for craft/trade shows include branded kitchen tools, recipe cards, cooking utensils, and samples of popular products. Items that are practical and align with the interests of your target audience tend to attract more attention.

How can I ensure my promotional items stand out at a trade show?

To make your promotional items stand out, consider using vibrant colors, unique designs, and high-quality materials. Additionally, offering limited-time promotions or exclusive items can create urgency and draw more visitors to your booth.

Should I offer free samples of my products at the trade show?

Yes, offering free samples can be a great way to engage potential customers. It allows them to experience your products firsthand, which can lead to increased interest and sales. Make sure to have enough samples on hand and consider pairing them with informative materials about your products.

How many promotional items should I bring to a craft/trade show?

The number of promotional items to bring depends on the size of the event and your budget. A good rule of thumb is to estimate the number of attendees and prepare enough items for at least 25-50% of that number, ensuring you have a mix of items for different interests.

What is the best way to distribute promotional items at a trade show?

The best way to distribute promotional items is to engage with attendees personally. Encourage them to visit your booth, participate in a demonstration, or sign up for a newsletter in exchange for a promotional item. This not only increases visibility but also fosters a connection with potential customers.

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