While a majority of people love the ease of shopping online, nothing beats the experience of browsing and buying products in person. That’s why local events are an amazing way to sell your decorated t-shirts, hoodies and hats – and meet more customers in your area!
Head to craft fairs, farmer’s markets, church bazaars, school events, music festivals and more. This is your chance to forge personal connections with clients, sell t-shirts and get feedback on your decorated wares! We’ve got a handy listicle format of everything you need to know to create a solid plan to attend events.
Step One: Decide which events or shows you’d like to attend.
- Start early by compiling a list of upcoming local events and shows that interest you. You can easily find events listed on Facebook, on your town’s website, via Google searches or by word of mouth. Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals to find good shows or events to attend. There’s no time like the present to start, since you’ll find events year-round inviting or accepting vendors to sell their wares!
- Learn who attends the events to see if they match your customer demographic. For example, if you sell pet-themed t-shirts, a car show might not be the right fit for your products. Selling kids' clothes at a senior center may be hit or miss, depending on if the attendees buy for their grandchildren or other younger relatives. Another thing to consider about shows or festivals in your area is what other vendors sell there. For example, if you’re selling t-shirts and everyone else is selling high-end jewelry, you might not be in the right spot. Reach out to event organizers or other vendors to learn more about who you can expect to see checking out your table or booth – and what product categories the majority of other vendors sell there.
- Make a longlist of the shows that interest you, so you can narrow down your choices. Now is the time to weed out shows (or put them on next year’s list). For example, you might find that some shows are juried, meaning that people apply to sell there – and they often want to know where else you’ve sold and may ask for photos of your booth space. If you’ve never sold at a show before, you might want to get some experience first before applying. Starting out by attending local church or school craft fairs can be a great way for you to get your feet wet, meet your customers and see which of your products sell the best. Don’t be shy about reaching out to other vendors or looking for Facebook groups to learn about their experiences at different shows. (These contacts can also be helpful when you’ve decided which shows to attend!)
- Delve into costs and contracts. When you’ve decided which shows interest you the most, it’s time to research what’s involved. You can make a simple spreadsheet to organize the details. Check out the event site or reach out to an organizer to learn about how to score a spot and how much it costs to rent a booth or a table. A smaller church fair might run you $25 to $75, and a show with a bigger footprint might run you $100 to $250 for a 10’ X 10’ space. Specialty or larger shows can run from multiple hundreds of dollars into the thousands. Prices might be more or less for indoor or outdoor space as well. You’ll also want to ask to see the contract to be sure you’re OK with all the clauses. For example, can you cancel your booth before a certain date and get your money back? What happens if there’s inclement weather and you can’t make the rain date, and so on?
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Determine whether you need a business license or insurance to participate. While some shows don’t have a specific requirement, it’s always a good idea to check your local and state regulations to be compliant. The same goes for insurance – while some larger venues will require it, it may be a good idea to talk to an insurance agent to learn what policy you can afford and can cover you, as well as unexpected product loss (let’s say you get rained out).
Determine whether you need to collect sales tax. Again, check your state requirements so you can collect the tax and remit it back to your state in a timely manner. If you’re using a credit card reader or an app, you can automatically set the rate for your area. - Create your show shortlist based on your schedule, budget and preferences. Only you know what you can handle based on your business schedule and other commitments. Don’t overextend yourself, so you can enjoy the experience. Sign up for the shows, and then start promoting your bookings to your customers on your website, on social media, in person or however else you communicate with them.
Step Two: Decide what to make and sell at your events.
- Make a list of the products you plan to decorate and sell. If you’re starting small, just list out the items for your first event. A good rule of thumb is to bring your best-selling product in a range of sizes and colors. Consider bringing apparel and accessories at different price points to make it easier for new customers to opt in and try out your wares. Review your pricing to be sure you can cover your show costs and time, while still making a profit. We also recommend bringing an online or print catalog of other items you offer so people can follow up with you in person or in your e-store if they want to buy additional items.
- Create your production schedule with plenty of built-in time. Give yourself enough space and time to order and decorate your t-shirts, hoodies and bags – since attending your first show is outside of your normal business schedule. You don’t want to feel stressed and stretched too thin before you even arrive.
- Consider whether you want to decorate onsite. While you may not want to do this for your first show, some decorators bring transfers and a heat press (or an embroidery machine) to customize or personalize items for your customers. People love getting custom items and seeing how you decorate them! This is great for school and holiday events where people buy spirit wear and gifts.
Step Three: Prep for your shows.
- Order or create your marketing collateral early. You’ll want to bring flyers, FAQs and business cards to give out so people can find you after the show. It’s important to keep your branding consistent, so choose the same logo, colors, font and styles. You can use a site like Canva to create your materials. Don’t forget to print out an email signup sheet so people can add their contact information to receive news and special offers from you!
- Prep branded bags or packaging. You can purchase craft supply bags or bags that you stamp with a custom logo beforehand to give them an easy way to take home your products – and remember your company name.
- Get set up to take payments. You have three options for collecting money: cash, apps like Venmo or PayPal, or a card reader to accept credit and debit cards. Usually, customers bring cash, so you should be ready to make change. Many will also have a smartphone set up with Venmo, so they can pay you that way. Since many people prefer paying with credit or debit cards, it might be worth your while to get a reader that accepts chip and tap payments. One key thing in business is to make it easy for people to pay you!
- Plan out your table and display. First, find out how much space you get at the show, and what they provide, if anything, like a table, chair or even a tent. Some shows may expect you to bring your entire display setup. Depending on whether you plan to attend lots more shows, you might decide to invest in your own display apparatus, including: a branded tent or umbrella, foldable and height-adjustable tables, stools or chairs, business card displays, crates or shelves to display items, collapsible clothes rack, or other home storage solutions to transport and display your items. It’s a good idea to set up your display at home first (and take photos) so you can get up and running quickly the day of the show.
- The night before, be sure to tick these last few things off your list. Charge all of your electronics and pack a backup charger or power bank. Practice your elevator or sales pitch so you know what to say if anyone asks you about your brand or products. When you’re planning your outfit, make sure you’re wearing one of your own t-shirts or hoodies!
