How To Show Your Quilts
How To Display Your Quilts At Craft Fairs, Quilt Shows Or Trade Shows
Many professional quilters utilize quilt shows and trade shows to expand their business and gain new customers. Following are some tips and tricks to get maximum results from your trade show experience.
The first thing to do is decide upon which trade show you want to attend. These can be found online via Google or the various trade show websites.
Make your reservation early and be sure to procure a location near the entrance of the trade show as this will guarantee the most foot traffic.
Research your competition to see what types of products sell well and also for pricing guidelines.
Plan and develop professional looking product displays. Organize your booth so that visitors can locate your products and complete their purchases and orders in an efficient manner.
Order professional signage from a trade show display company or Kinko’s
Develop a product line that features a cohesive theme or similar colors. This will make your booth look more professional, leading to more lucrative orders.
Cover your main display table with a beautiful quilt and hang quilts on the walls of your display booth. Bring the proper tools such as staple guns to ensure a neat appearance.
Offer sales materials such as flyers, brochures and business cards so that people can get in touch with you in the future.
Order forms should be readily available for larger orders from store and manufacturer’s representatives.
Ensure that all your products include pricing information. If you are selling to distributors, consider offering volume pricing.
If you are marketing quilting methods or patterns, run a video so that your time is spent getting orders.
Feature products such as quilted wall hangings, pillows, vests, jackets, purses, makeup pouches, diaper bags, as well as quilting fabrics, tools, books, sewing machines, etc.
Display products besides your own. Team up with other quilters and quilt shops in your area and offer to take their products to the quilt show for a fee.
Contact quilt manufacturers to inquire if they would like you to represent their products at the quilt show. This arrangement can help you cover the cost of your booth as well as earn commissions.
Be sure to collect visitors’ contact information by inviting them to participate in a drawing for a quilted product.
Collect e-mail addresses by offering a free subscription to your quilting newsletter.
Offer small freebies such as ballpoint pens, small quilting tools or fabric swatches. All of these should feature your logo and contact information.
Provide refreshments. This can be inexpensive items such as lemonade, flavored popcorn or candy.