How about a local craft fair or market? But where to start looking and when?
The UK has a lot of craft fairs and markets in nearly every area at one time or another and depending on the fair and place competition can be fierce.
Your best bet is find a small local market and work up. You can find a lot of information on upcoming markets all over the internet but they can be difficult to find especially for smaller markets and fairs. The trouble isn't with the markets themselves you can find a gem of a market that will work for you in the most obscure places, the trouble is marketing and a lot of organisers will assume you will find them which is a tactic that will only work so far. If you are new to markets and fairs you might not know this or you may think the market isn't well organised which is a shame and is why a lot of good local markets aren't doing so well.
The best places to start your search are:
http://www.craft-fair.co.uk/Diary.cfm
These have a wonderful list of craft fairs and events around the UK
http://www.stallfinder.com/
A great website for finding fairs and markets in the UK as well as having a stall holders directory.
http://www.nmtf.co.uk
Can help you find markets and also is a fantastic insurer. Insurance is a major necessity and you will find that most markets and fair organisers won't consider you without it.
http://www.artsandcraftsdirectory.co.uk/craftfairsinjune.html
A wonderful page of upcoming craft fairs in the UK
Other fantastic places to find local markets and fairs are your local councils websites and public notice boards in supermarkets, libraries and churches.
Tips:
- Don't be afraid to contact the organiser even if no tables are available, many good organisers will have a list of people at the ready just in case stall holders pull out or as a first to call for their next fair or market. Some organisers may even be able to point you in the direction of other fairs and events that aren't full.
- Book your stall early! Events with stall available will easily fill up, don't put it off.
- Make sure if you pay upfront or a deposit for your stall that it is refundable in the off chance they have to cancel the fair or something serious has come up your end and you have to miss the fair.
- Give the organisers a contact number, sometimes stalls are cancelled and the organiser unable to contact you can't let you know. There is nothing worse than preparing a massive range of stock, getting excited and waking up early and finding out you are the only person who has shown up.
- Parking is important, some fairs or markets don't have parking, make sure you know where you and your car are going especially if you don't live in the area.
- Get insurance. This is very important and is there to protect up. Market insurance isn't that expensive and can save you a lot of trouble.
- Tell friends and family. The more people to turn up to the market the more successful it will be and therefore more likely to be there again.
- Take business cards. People may not buy from you that day but giving them another way to find you may prove very profitable!
- Have fun. Markets and fairs are great for selling but they are also great for meeting new people and contacts.
I hope you have found this special feature useful. If you know of any great places to find craft fairs and markets let me know and I will add them to this feature.
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