Craft Fairs vs Social Anxiety: Secrets for Success
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- čas přidán 29. 05. 2024
- This video is for aspiring - or experienced - craft fair vendors & organizers who struggle with social anxiety, nerves, or introverts. Being able to participate, or even host your own craft fair is an incredible experience that every makers deserves to feel comfortable & confident doing. In this video, I'll provide you with practical techniques that will help you to get out there, even if it's in an environment that would normally make you feel uncomfortable.
You ARE capable of being a craft fair vendor.
You ARE capable of being a craft fair organizer.
You got this! And I've got your back!
How to Craft Fair:
Website: www.howtocraftfair.com
Etsy: howtocraftfair.etsy.com
Shop: how-to-craft-fair.myspreadsho...
Craft Fair Displays & Accessories for Vendors & Organizers:
shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=173676...
#crafts #crafty #craftfair - Jak na to + styl
I enjoyed this video so much! I’ve been doing craft shows for about 3 years but I always get helpful information from these types of videos! Thank you for sharing these awesome tips with us! It’s fun to watch you critique booths, but informational videos are really great. You don’t seem like you’re introverted at all! 😊Tina
Thank you for taking time to leave a great comment Tina! I appreciate your kind words and I’m glad you enjoy the videos! 😃
I suffer from depression and anxiety but still decided to do my first craft show this year. Initially, I was totally overwhelmed, although my dad was with me for support. Then, I shifted my focus from making sales to memorizing all the great interactions I had and compliments I got. I wrote them down and counted them just like the sales I made. Looking back, this sheet is a treasure trove and worth much more to me than anything else. I looked at it before my next fair and instantly felt more confident. It's worth trying! Sending love to all your viewers!
I cannot recommend talking to your fellow vendors at events enough. Not only to they have tips and tricks about vending in general, valuable info about events, venues and organizers, but they are almost always kind and helpful. I make an effort to at least say hello to everyone near me, and follow them, and then tag them in a social media post the day of so we can all help one another grow.
That is such amazing & positive energy! So glad to see you’ve got that outlook as a vendor - that’s definitely the way it should be and if every vendor had that approach, everyone across the board would be leveling up to new heights. 👍👍💪💪
I started making little gifts to hand out to other vendors. It includes a note, business card, stickers, candy, and one of my pens.
It's a great way to break the ice, and get a conversation going.
This is such a thoughtful gesture! 😃👏
I attended my first craft fair last week at the Nashville Flea Market. Initially, my anxiety was off the charts, but it turned out to be mostly unfounded. I had so much fun, and I stood out because of all the tips I learned from watching your videos. My passion for candle making and aromatherapy helped me overcome my social anxiety, and I loved talking about my products with strangers. I also met many great vendors who welcomed me.
Although I didn't hit my sales goal, I did make back the money I spent on the booth. I just got approved for next month's fair, and I've already started working on improvements such as a product information station, demonstrations, a newsletter, and a contest signup. All thumbs up to you brother...
I'm so happy you had a great first event! My first few events I made my table back and a very small profit but within a month or so, I was doing so good. Keep it up, and know we're all rooting for you!
I’m so glad to hear that your anxiety settled down for you and you were able to get a lot of enjoyment out of the event.
Your comment made my day and it great to see that you signed right back up for the next show and already got approved!
Just like Eva said, you got this and we’re rooting for you. 💪💪👏👏
Hit the like button!✅
Great video! Always believe in yourself!
Thank you big Sis! If we can eat Culver’s at midnight and map out a 55,000 square foot venue, we can do anything!! 🤣
Your booth neighbors almost always end up being informal wing people, especially at smaller events. I usually hook them up with one of my freebies or seconds, as a simple way of making positive connections.
It's also important to recognize what is sustainable for you, vs what is ideal. Is it maybe ideal to be standing out front greeting everyone who looks at your booth? Sure. But if what enables me to get through the day, and see the event through without distress is letting people approach me, or looking up from a project with a quick smile for browsing folks, then that is the best way. If they see you doing the thing that you do, that can take a lot of the introductory pressure off of you (assuming your craft is portable, obviously).
Great comment! Yeah in a general sense, I tend to steer vendors away from working on their craft at their booth during a show - but I can definitely understand why some vendors find comfort in doing it. I think you made a good point with it though that as long as you’re looking up and acknowledging the entrance of a visitor into the booth, then that makes them feel welcomed while you’re able to feel comfortable too. 😃👍
I've also found it to be a good conversational entry point, esp for families with kids--it seems to open up the floor for questions on my craft and emphasizes that the work is handmade, which people don't always pick up on, even though "handmade" is in my business name.
Notification on! ✅
Great tips once again💜
Thanks Shay! I appreciate you!
I really appreciate these tips and your nonjudgemental approach to helping others. I struggle with PTSD and am a wheelchair user. I am happy to know that others with PTSD are doing this and that asking to be put in a calm area is ok (that was a relief to hear).
I am really concerned about how difficult it might be to navigate my wheelchair in a small booth area with crowds. Do you have any tips/recommendations for folks in this situation? I was thinking a corner booth would be helpful with more room but, I'm learning that those booths cost more, sometimes a lot more. So, not sure if there are other options.
Thank you again for helping us newbies!!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)
First thing I would do is always let the organizer know anytime you apply for an event. Let em know up front because a lot of times, they can help. Maybe based on their layout, they have a booth that sort of stands alone with room on its sides or situations where they can keep you in mind during the booth placement stage of their planning.
As a last resort, you could sacrifice some display/setup space for just space for you to navigate your booth. So say for example, you rent a full 10' x 10' - well maybe you only put one table in there or keep the setup smaller so that you've got room in there. Again, not ideal, but if it means you're comfortable throughout the day, then maybe its worth it?
Don't be afraid to go a little outside of the norm in order to keep yourself happy to attend events. :)
@@howtocraftfair Thank you for these great tips and advice! 🙏🏼
My anxiety comes from being deaf. I'm concerned how to not intimidate people from communicating with me. I have a transcription app so I can see what is said to me (I speak fine). Concerned about people thinking I'm ignoring them.
Thank you for sharing. I actually talked to my Dad about this particular comment, so my apologies for not responding for quite a while.
I think we both kind of landed in the same thought process on this where we feel like a sign might be really beneficial in your booth - something that is a friendly heads up for people that says it just like how you said it to me in your post: “Hi! Welcome to my booth! If I don’t respond, I’m not ignoring you. I’m hearing impaired and if I don’t see you speaking to me, come and say hi!”
Forgive me for not having the right way to phrase this, but if you’re willing to share that at your booth, it might be a good way to stay connected to your customers and not miss out on any opportunities.
Thanks again for commenting! 😃