A lot of us have looked at the price of bath products these days and have thought, "I can do this better." You can. Selling bath and beauty products at fairs and festivals is not only an easy way to make money, but a way to help people feel good and look great. Become a fair vendor and make friends with your booth neighbors and customers.
The first step to success in business is research. Before you set up your own
vendor booth, check out what other people are doing. Attend the shows where you think you might want to sell. If they already have a lot of vendors selling bath products, consider ways to make your products stand out. Take a look in newspapers and online for different kinds of events. Don't limit your possibilities. Try selling at state fairs or farmers markets. You must find the right type of venue for your product if you are going to sell.
Make a list of all your fair vending expenses. You will have to factor in the cost of the booth and your inventory, as well as transportation, accommodation (if the show is out of town), and food. The key to starting any business is starting small, but you have to balance costs with profits. In order to make your booth worth the cost, estimate how much product you will have to sell. This is a good goal to hold in your head for the weekend.
Now that you know how many
bath products you have to sell to make a profit, it's time to think about how much you can charge. This may vary at every show you attend. Take a look around at how the other vendors are pricing their products. Pay special attention to any seller with a similar bath and beauty item. Put together a package deal or a weekend sale to combat competition. Consider a small item that you can offer free with purchase. If the show is organizing a raffle, donate one of your products as a prize.
The most important part of any craft fair is to have fun. When you run your own business, all the little details can wear you out. Plan ahead, organize well, but when you are at the show, put on a smile. Interact with your customers. Get out from behind your vendor booth and talk to the people. Everyone at a fair can give you important feedback. Ask people what they like when they stop at your table. Ask the fair vendor beside you, too. Share your secrets and they will share theirs.
When you are selling bath products at a craft fair, you have a unique opportunity to share an intimate moment with your customers. Help them solve a problem. Have a solution ready when a woman complains about her tired feet. You got into this business because you love creating a spa atmosphere with your products. When you start craft fair vending, you will help customers create that atmosphere for themselves.
