Hans Meier shares craft show secrets (part 1)

Hans Meier is a highly accomplished scroll saw artist that markets his crafts at Georgia craft shows. He shares his secrets on what he has found that works on the craft show circuit.
Recorded before a live audience 6/25/2016.
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[@keepthemomentum]

I've been binge watching videos to help me get started in art fairs and festivals. I wasn't sure if I was going to watch this one because you're a woodworker and I'm a photographer and wasn't sure how much it would relate. I have to say, you gave me more pertinent information than most of the videos I've seen in the last few days. I thoroughly enjoyed it and thanks for all the great advice!

[@GokouZWAR]

Omg, first 13 minutes chock full of awesome ideas, some of which we already do or have thought of, but def listen to this guy’s advise! I can’t wait to see the next 2 videos…

[@j.mingtu5231]

Thank you! I found this so helpful as an aspiring craft show vendor!

[@AminahMosley]

So many useful ideas...the eye level & bakers racks are gems!

[@stankrieger3598]

I have done manny showes over the years but never thought about the eye level aproch. And if chair make it high also. Great info from everyone

[@RANDALLOLOGY]

I have been thinking about doing craft shows, I appreciate you taking your time making this video. It was very informative

[@philselman1940]

Gee while really injoyed your you tube comment on the craft shows taught me a lot wished it was longer thank you phil

[@debh7046]

Great ideas ! Thank You !

[@johnnyspropshop]

Good info, thanks for sharing.

[@awalker9461]

Love the pvc idea!!!!!!!

[@VispronetUSA]

Great information! Thanks for creating a video on this topic. We create trade show displays for clients.

[@lewschiller9750]

Great Series! Perhaps the best I've seen when it comes to what you need to know when you go out to sell at shows. I'm out pretty much every weekend. This is how I make my living. Here are some things I'd add: Chair: I use a high folding chair I bought on Amazon - Earth Executive VIP Tall Directors Chair - it was $124 and worth every dime. Sturdy - has a foot rest bar, folding side table with cup holder and it's eye level with my customers. It offers good back support as well which after 12 hours of up and down matters a lot! Table Riser: PVC works well but consider attaching flanges or caps to one end as feet. Open tubes can sink into soft soil. Bed risers give me the height I need. Tent Sides also help if you get high wind gusts - helps keep the canopy from becoming a sail if you have time ahead of a storm to drop them. Microbursts are hell. Just last weekend with my 50# weights on each corner a Sheriffs Deputy had to hang on to the center of my frame while I removed the canopy top to prevent the whole thing from failing. Sides also serve to separate you from an undesirable neighbor. That happens :-( Indoor shows - don't get put in a "side room"..Upstairs..Annex. If you're not in the Main Area your results will be poor. No matter what promoters tell you, shoppers don't go everywhere. Few things in Vendor Life will sear into your brain like spending the day watching customers walk up to your "Alternate Location" at the show..crane their necks..look around..then turn and walk away. Engage with people - it's okay to be a little goofy but don't be annoying - remember to listen - and for gosh sake be a good Vendor Neighbor. Don't distract people who are engaged with another vendor. Don't go out in the aisle button holing people. Be inviting, when people give you eye contact have a fun line or two ready that will make them want to come in and see what you have..but don't be a "Barker". It's a craft show not a Carnival. Being professional and respectful of your fellow vendors will - as Hans said - bring you into the flow of shows. People will help you find the good and avoid the bad. There are Facebook groups that bring vendors and show promoters together.Visit those and see if there's one where vendors post reviews of the shows they've done in your area. Those are very valuable. Show selling is hard work. Some days can be a bitter disappointment. But when everything comes together..you have a good flow of interesting and interested people, you've done good business, you're able to sit back for a few minutes on a beautiful afternoon - maybe there's a band in the distance - you'll never want to do anything else.

[@careya]

Great presentation!

[@MrTom0903]

Great job. I think that I will try something like it.

[@cynrod4650]

Great information!!!

[@tonygarcia8720]

Thank you for the information !!!

[@backwoodsbaby9729]

In regards to the velcro straps. You can buy velcro by the yard at fabric stores (and get 40 to 60% off coupons). Buy several yards and cut them to size.

[@mikeortega6072]

great advice thanks for sharing!

[@philsowers]

Been vending for years, I upgraded to electrical conduit, which is much sturdier, PVC can crack from a customer leaning, etc. Only downside would be they're heavier, but it's a trade-off we think is worth it.

[@HomewithNadineFlorida]

Smart! Thank you!

[@MsK-xm7vw]

Thank You! ❣

[@stankrieger3598]

Great info Thank You

[@TheGrandmaTeabag]

Where did you get the nice taller wooden folding chair?

[@dzymslizzy3641]

We have/use wire ties (zip ties) that can be released and re-used. ;-) We made the mistake of loaning our good, heavy-duty 10x20 tent to our next-door neighbor for a party...after the party, they went out of town for a couple of days. There was a windstorm, the tent blew from their yard into the next one over: that neighbor got peeved about it, and sliced up all the canopy and sides and threw it away! Grrr...very inconsiderate. I would never have done such a thing, but whatever. LUCKILY, we were pretty much done with craft shows at that point due to my husband's declining health, but still, it was an expensive tent...the kind that can also serve as a carport. So you're right: never loan anything to anyone. One problem we had was our quality was superb; our clocks were all 100% hand-crafted, and our slogan was "own an instant heirloom." Well, we did one show and did really well; the following year, less well, and the third year, didn't even make back our booth fee, so including meals and hotel, we were in the hole. Why? People only need one or two clocks, so we'd get people saying, "Oh, I got one of your clocks, and we really like it." But there are generally no repeat customers...we learned the hard way. It never occurred to us to do demos; the items were too bulky, and the machinery we used wasn't portable. But before I met my hubby, I used to do ceramics, mostly tree ornaments...and had my feelings hurt one time when someone picked up an ornament, put it down with the comment "probably made in China anyway." Grrr!! I spent hours detail-painting those items...AND I had cleaned and fired the greenware to boot!

[@Mr.Peach90]

Where did you get that scroll saw stand

[@ronaldwayne6159]

What size Semi do you have to transport EVERYTHING you need to do your shows?

[@normazaharioudakis1090]

Thank you so much I love your video, is it a good idea to go to a craft show if there other people selling the same product?

[@patricknoel3642]

same exact product is risky, but if there is a group of woodworkers from different categories people who are interested in wooden products know to go look at that fair because they are probably going to find a great item

[@AffordBindEquipment]

we went to an outdoor show here in a park and there was a live band playing most of the time. I felt sorry for the craft vendors, because you really couldn't talk above the noise level. The people who had booths farther back were better but it still was annoying. it was not a pleasant day at the show. Glad I was not a vendor.

[@lewschiller9750]

Vendors needed to address that with management. Too many vendors are reticent to approach management if there's an issue like that.

[@Ashuma1]

Where is part 2

[@amyslifelocsandmakeup8731]

How do you know what size pvc pipe around?

[@philsowers]

Easiest is to measure the pipe at the bottom when it's flipped over. Any ruler, or caliper is best. To be sure you can just grab a few different 2' pipe pieces at a home store and return the ones that don't fit. ;)

[@ShawneeConsulting]

Great video, ty... Way too many ads... But informative.

[@babysaho9576]

Colour bleeds through onto your products when the sunlight hits coloured tents. Sometimes that colour tints your product in an unflattering light.

[@shednut2666]

Problem is hobby lobby sells junk for less than half the price I see people buying from stores then taking crap to shows so watch what kind of shows you go to

[@deanasutton8179]

Don't lend your tent!

[@romeliapolly5242]

Make it wooden with the help of the Woodglut instructions.