Are you a vendor or artist who participates in Art Shows, Craft Fairs or Holiday Markets? If so, be sure you’re putting your best foot forward with these helpful tips.

Implementing these could benefit you and your customers. And assist in generating more sales before and after your show or event ends.

As vendors and artists prepare their goods for shows, all too often they lack any business acumen. Sorry for the tough luv folks, but it’s true! They are void of something as basic as business cards. No supporting marketing materials. And/or their website has not been updated (NOT just your Facebook page). None of these should be the case.

The “I’m too right-brained to think of biz stuff” has to go!
Artists are notorious for using this excuse and I’ve heard this more times than I can count! I get it, you have other things on your mind. However, we’re talking business 101 here. So you need to lose that mentality and get on the ball. Remember folks, this is YOUR business – so if anything you should be even more on top of matters.

Hopefully these tips will help guide you in the right direction moving forward…

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If you find yourself reaching out to a graphic designer, it’s likely because you’re faced with a creative business challenge. There is a gap with where you are now and where you’d like to be. To close this gap – allowing a designer to create a solution tailored to your needs, it starts with a consultation.

Consultations for creative projects are an incredibly important part of the design process. They are for the benefit of both the client and designer. Regardless of the type of services you may require, by gathering relevant info via an initial consultation, it assists in determining what your creative needs may or may not be.

“Hearing is one of our five senses, but listening is an art.”

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Ad design for publications has been a favorite of mine for some time. Perhaps it stems from my early roots working in the production dept of a local community newspaper group in San Diego. Papers came out weekly on Thursdays. Being part of the ad design team along with creating special sections for events kept us on our toes!

You quickly learned which ads did well with their content and messaging and which ads needed improvement. Sadly, more often than not, it was the biz owners who insisted on including info that did not always work in their favor…

Don’t poo poo print entirely!
Just about every town/city etc. has one if not several local print publications – not to mention Visitor’s Guides. All of these present opportunities for you to get your name out there about your business. Many of these publications now have digital versions, so your ad can potentially drive business to online/offline subscribers allowing you to deliver your message to reach the entirety of your audience.

• If you’re a new business, running an ad in local publications to promote a “Grand Opening” is certainly worth considering.

• If you’re an existing business promoting a special event, then running an ad to get the word out is an option too.

• If tourism in a major part of the economy and your industry is some form of hospitality, dining or recreation then advertising in a Visitor’s Guide should not be overlooked.

So don’t completely dismiss or poo poo doing any type of print or magazine publication advertising entirely. The fact is, depending on your type of business or the audience you wish to reach, it may still be a viable option as part of an integrated marketing strategy.

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