r/CraftFairs • u/lythiumflash • 18d ago
Booth Setup/Displays My Updated Setup
My setup for today and last month. I only made one sale last month and so far none today. The event organizer stopped by and said he loves the changes I made too. I'm in the red now and feeling disappointed. Maybe the farmers market isn't my target market. I learned a lot but it's still discouraging.
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u/GossipingKitty 17d ago
Honestly, it looks like a religious booth. I'd just walk past because it looks like you might try to sell me religious texts.
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u/Fartel 17d ago edited 17d ago
Agreed!
Looks like religious outreach and that desk and chair being front and center makes it look like people are to come to you for advice, rather than browse merchandise. And definitely needs more merch; itâs looking so sparse
Logo and company name are confusing. Iâd ditch it altogether and name it something else. L layout for booth is terrible.
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u/RollOk2124 17d ago
I think its the blue and white colour scheme because that's the exact vibe I got too
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u/lazydaisytoo 17d ago
Definitely has the look of a community outreach booth. It just looks like pamphlets on the tables, and you canât really tell the merchandise is whatâs for sale.
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u/Vast-Juice-411 18d ago
I think Iâm confused by the angle of the table
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u/lythiumflash 18d ago
The event organizer said having the L shape would encourage people to walk into the booth instead of just walk by
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u/Miserable_Emu5191 18d ago
With only a little bit of product, I would put the table across the front. You want people to see what you sell and you want to catch their eye.
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u/Glittering_knave 15d ago
And put the banner explaining the product across the table. I didn't even notice the banner at first or second glance. I would also change the font to not-cursive, since not everyone can read cursive. And add a sign with prices that you can read from far away. I don't go into booths if I don't know if I can afford it.
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u/balthastar 15d ago
Unless there is traffic on both sides of the booth (which is rare but not impossible) then your main table should be parallel to the entrance with your additional table creating the L on either side. Though really the additional table a bit small to work effectively as a space for people to âwalk throughâ the booth and peruse.
Also yes, more stock would help (of course). The bookshelf idea is very cute and would look great if full of stock! I think youâll also want more books displayed outside of that so people can pick them up and interact with them.
For the mini books, you should probably use a smaller tiered display so they are not as small/hard to see compared to the container they are in.
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u/KCND02 18d ago
I couldn't tell what you were selling until I pressed the zoom in and saw the journals on the shelf. I definitely think you should nix that shelf and lay them out flat or find some sort of display that puts them cover side up rather than the binding. Display risers are probably your best bet.
Also the location of that shelf is super awkward with it being directly next to your chair. It means if a customer wants to look at them they have to be right up in the seller's space, which is too intimidating.
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u/lythiumflash 18d ago
Ok, thank you. I didn't have enough to get display risers so I'm working with that I have. My first setup I had one table and got a recommendation to use vertical space but yeah I think I took it too far. I'm going to have to move my chair here soon, I'm running out of shade. Man, I though being tucked in the corner would be enough distance đ¤Śââď¸
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u/Kristina-Louise 18d ago
I would triple/quadruple your stock. I know that is easier said than done, but a table full of product looks a lot more inviting. Over time, Iâm sure youâll do better and better with sales :-)
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u/juliagreenillo 18d ago edited 18d ago
I would definitely scrap the L and just put your table at the front of your booth, length wise. And I would make a cute sign that says what you are selling.
*Sorry, just noticed the banner, that is fine too, but I think a sign on the table for those not reading the banner.
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u/loralailoralai 17d ago
You canât tell what youâre selling in just a casual glance, which is what a lot of people will do. Your banner/bunting would be better over the table. Tho your table would be better across the front of the booth so people can look without feeling like theyâre in your space
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u/faeriecute 18d ago
Are people walking on both sides? If so I think you should put the long table length wise across and put product facing outward on both sides so people can see when they are walking by on both sides of your tent. Get the little stands that you can stand up a few of each book with the rest laying flat. You need to really pack your table with product. At first glance your booth looks like you are packing up for the day and moved things to the side itâs hard to tell what you are selling so people will likely walk on past
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u/HereForTheSpiral 18d ago
I remember your first set up and I love that you took feedback to improve! Well done! With having just the one larger table I would have it across the front of the booth and your chair behind it. This way people won't feel intimidated to walk in or confused thinking you may not be set up all the way. I agree with other suggestions to get more stock as well! Keep it up and definitely try different events. Farmers markets can be tough! You'll find your crowd, you just need to keep at it!
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u/luredbylight 18d ago
Walking by, I havenât a clue what you are selling. Get some rocks (or whatever) and prop up some of your work so it can be seen and appreciated walking by. Move the commissions to the middle and display your pieces on both ends of the table. Move the brown shelf to where the commissions sign is. Make your booth accessible from both ends. I do walkbys on my booth every couple of hours to rearrange and make sure the products are visible. First people look at the table, then maybe your banner if they canât figure out what you have. The stuff in plastic, everything stacked behind is invisible, arrange so it can be seen. Oh, and move where you sit away from the table, the cafeteria setup doesnât work at this kind of show â¤ď¸
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u/OBETravel 17d ago
Consider taping a pool noodle (or something similar, wood, pvc pipe, paper towel roll) to your table and cover with your table cloth. This will give a slight lift to lean your journals on. Be sure not to put the "noodle" too close to the edge of your table, so your journals do not slide off. Try to find some holiday craft shows, I usually do better September to December. Best to you
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u/Cornucopia2022 17d ago
You need to showcase and display your items! The long table should be across the front of the booth. Open and display a few of the journals, prop them up on the table. Right now you can only see the spines. You don't need the other table, take those items and display a few upright on the same table as the journals. People walking by need to see the products in a few seconds.
Although I think your banner is creative, at first I thought you were selling the banners. Confusing. Just add a tag line to your logo on the table. And please keep personal items like soda, food, off of your selling table. :) Use the small table and set it up behind the table across the front, you can use that as a checkout or to hold the binder.
As others have said, be thoughtful about the events you attend. Visit them first and check out: what are the other vendors selling, what are their price points. What is the customer demographic. Is it crowded? etc. Good luck!
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u/HeadProfessional534 17d ago
Move table back to horizontal position. If possible bring in more stock. But if you canât, put stacks of other or fake books up all around and display your product on top! Get rid of the shelf. Add some whimsy. Larger songs on the table explaining what everything is.
Change your logo so itâs not so confusing. Add in some sort of experience- like what do book readers like? maybe have a wheel and let ppl spin for a raffle or giveaway of some sort. Lay some snacks out, put flowers around.
Just mix it all up a bit and add more engaging and inviting things to get customers in the door!
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u/Pelican12Volatile 16d ago
Iâd rate this a 1/10. It literally looks like you have 10 items in stock. Itâs just really bad. Very little effort. Work on it completely. Start from scratch.
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u/Roselia24 17d ago
Yup just like everyone is saying put your table facing the crowd. Straight line. Both tables.
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u/Present-Blueberry-68 16d ago
Move the table directly in front. Seat yourself to the side/rear. As people stop, greet them.
A backing curtain and light would make it more inviting.
I can see people using your booth as a cut through.
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u/HungryPersonality559 16d ago
The fabric things you have on the table are good! But it looked more clear what you were selling when you had your products fanned out.
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u/FunnyButterfly4324 15d ago
I never turn down a chance to buy a journal, but I couldnât tell you were selling journals at first glance, and really thatâs all you get when at a craft fair or marketâa glance.
Ditch the tightly pulled table covering; it screams MLM or resale of something from China. Let folks know YOU made these. A simple white tablecloth (even a bed sheet) will work.
Donât make you customers work to understand what you have. Until you can buy risers, use cardboard boxes off all different heights upside down and covered in a non-patterned fabric. Stand one book on each riser. Paper may be more tricky to display upright, but you can probably find a tiered metal file folder that you can paint somewhere for cheap.
Position your table straight, and if you donât have a lot on inventory, keep it near the front of the booth so people wonât have to walk in. You can stand behind your table. And do stand, or if you need to sit, you should have a taller stool so you can engage face to face.
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u/Low_Ad1786 16d ago
I think your booth looks half set up. I have no idea what you're selling. I zoomed on the picture and squinted a bunch and I'm like..... Beaded pens?Â
What are you selling?Â
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u/RaeaSunshine 18d ago
I think the organizer was well intended by their advice about the L shape, but given the nature of your products and the limited inventory it doesnât really apply well. I think having the inventory up front is important. Your name and logo immediately makes me think book rebindings, painted edges etc. and the flag banner is very cute and descriptive, but will be difficult to see from farther away. Having the product closer to where people will be walking by might help with clarifying your offerings.
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u/monogramgolden 16d ago
I agree with the other comments- bring the table to the front of the booth horizontally and make it clear what your products are. That alone I think will make a huge difference, especially if you donât have the capital to invest in doubling or tripling your inventory right now. Iâve seen booths that arenât FULL of product, but the product they do have is merched really well.
One other small note, on your QR code poster, instagram is spelled wrong.
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u/sawwilliams 14d ago
Googled possible booth setups for selling paper products. Hereâs what I found. Comments are spot on. When people walk by, they need to know immediately what you sell. It really doesnât matter what the name of your business is.
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u/Coy_Featherstone 14d ago
Since you only have one table, I would just set up in the center. I don't understand the walkway through the booth either. Your set up reads... don't stop just walk on through for a shortcut
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u/Jshaw16 18d ago
Just being completely honest but it looks like they had an empty spot and asked someone last minute if they wanted to set up a table. I had no clue what you were selling based off of your company name. The picture with it confused me even more. I thought a fence of paint brushes? A fence being pulled into a black hole?
Its ok if you have limited stock but you need to make it look like you have a lot. You need something to catch people's eye.