As summer approaches in Michigan, so does the buzz surrounding local craft fairs, art shows, and festivals! For a small business owner who may not have a brick and mortar location yet, these events can become great selling opportunities. Get ready to build your brand awareness, meet your customers in-person, and boost your sales! Attending a local event as a vendor can grow your business within surrounding communities.
Here are 5 benefits of selling in-person at craft fairs, art shows, or festivals:
1. Build brand awareness in your community
Brand awareness is the extent to which consumers understand your brand. This includes your brand’s story, products, and/or services. Having a presence in your local community or neighboring community allows you to reach a wider audience. Consumers can better learn about your brand in-person, usually from the company owner or staff.
2. Make stronger connections with those in your own backyard
Have meaningful experiences with your customers in-person. Make your customers feel at home in an immersive booth space, tell them your brand story, and offer them special discounts. If you are a small business without a brick and mortar store, this may be one of your only opportunities to meet your customers face-to-face! Make it a memorable experience for them.
3. Discover insights into your product and/or service offerings
What are your best selling products? What products perform better in-person vs online? What are your customer’s most frequently asked questions? These are some of the many questions you could answer if you are selling in-person. Analyze these insights and use them to strategize your selling strategies in-person and online as you continue to grow your business.
4. Collect customer information
Collect emails from your customers! Include them in your email marketing strategy. Inform them of your latest brand updates, product offerings, and seasonal promotions.
5. Boost your summer sales!
Every dollar counts for a small business!
Is your brand ready to sell in-person? Before you do, consider our #1 tip for picking the right event to sell at. Before you begin your vendor applications, do your research! Will your target market be at these events? Will your product offering perform well at these events? You’ll want to answer these questions and more before making your final decisions on what events to attend. As a vendor, you will be putting a lot of time and money into planning before each event. So, you need to make sure it’s worth it!
Our in-house brand, Revir, participated as a vendor in 2 festivals near Detroit this summer. Here is a behind the scenes look at each event!
Buy Michigan Now Fest
Northville, MI | August 5-7, 2022
Soaring Eagle Arts Beats & Eats
Royal Oak, MI | September 2-5, 2022
We recommend checking with city chambers of commerce, local newspapers and publications, or local Facebook groups and events to find events near you. You can even find events through word of mouth. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your neighbors!