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In the good old days networking meant meeting people.  Today, it still does, the only difference is that in 2010 you can virtually meet and network with hundreds of people in a day and millions in a year.  The internet has provided us with wonderful tools to make business connections, sales and even friends online.  Virtual networking is not just a fad it is an important business tool.

If this is your first foray into promoting a craft show or you are looking for ways to make your shows more successful, you have come to the right place.  Understanding what vendors expect of you can be quite tricky.  While promoting a show can seem like a piece of cake, the truth is that vendors are going to look to you if there are few customers or if the show does not go as planned.  With so many expectations, it can be easy to forget how much fun a show can be.  What follows is a bit of a guide to what your vendors are really looking for.

I’m an artist, crafter, festival promoter, food vendor, Why do I need to know about social marketing?  Bottom-line if you are in business and need to promote a product you need to be aware of social marketing and what it can and can’t do for you business.

If you’re the creative type like many of us, who finds the numbers side business a real pain in the patutie, you dread book keeping.  We’ve done some research on book-keeping programs to try and help.  These programs are low to no cost.  Let us know if you found these helpful or if you know of any others we can share with the rest of our visitors.

As artists how do we make sure our work is protected?  What do you do if someone photographs your work or designs and then replicates it?  How do you ensure you retain the rights to your creative property even though you’re selling a craft, painting, poem or photograph?  FairsandFestivals.net is partnering with Helium.com to sponsor a writing contest to help answer these questions more in-depth.  With the proliferation of the internet, and simple access to inexpensive manufacturing companies, the protection of artistic copyright has to potential to impact small producers.  Submit your stories and experiences and join us in the discussion hosted by Helium.com “Where Knowledge Rules” .

You’ve spent hours learning your craft and earning your expertise.  You are an expert in your business because you, alone know what you’ve done well and where you’ve made mistakes.  All of that experience is valuable…triumphs and failures.  Share what you know by writing about it.  Everyone wants to hear more from people with experience.  Share yours and gain credibility, exposure and business.

The festival food business is very competitive.  These days just to make it into the bigger shows you may find you need to bring in new food products that are innovative delicious and big sellers. Here’s a sample of what we’re hearing on the street for fair and festival foods 2010.

Nowadays, there are so many ways to get the word out about your business that some people may forget about the traditional press release. Although you no longer have to put your press release strictly in newspapers, this form of communication can be an excellent way to draw customers to the next fair or festival at which you’ll appear.

We often receive calls from people wanting to know more about how to start their business.  Many are flattered by friends who compliment their work and offer to pay them for their efforts.  We think its great when artists and crafters get the opportunity to turn their hobbies into a business, but we also know there is a BIG difference between working your art as a hobby and working it as a business.  This article includes a list of resources we recommend you review to help you consider all aspects that go into turning your art and craft hobby into a business.

If you do your returns by the calendar year, your 2009 tax year is less than 30 days from close.  Given the numerous changes that take place every year in the tax laws its always a good idea to do a quick check-in with your accountant before the end-of-the-year close to make sure there are no surprises come April 15.  Now is the last chance you’ll have to take any buying or selling steps that would entitle you to additional 2009 deductions or write-offs before the year closes out.

Some of the most common questions we're asked revolve around licensing, taxes and permits. Florida, like most states, is governed by a number of jurisdictions, thus there is no universal answer. Each county, city and event may have different inspection, licensing, tax and health/fire permit requirements. The only way to ensure you meet all the requirements for your Florida event is to check with your event promoter and the local government entity. The following article outlines these entities and important Florida food vending links.

The 2010 Festival and Craft Show season is coming fast.  Application deadlines are looming with many expiring even before the new year begins. In this article we’ve put together some ideas to help you search for the right events for you.

We’re constantly looking for information and resources to help our food vendor visitors and members.  This article describes some of the essential reading materials we’ve found.  We’d love to know your thoughts.  If you know of any material or websites that would be useful to our visitors we hope you’ll let us know.

Inventory sounds like such a simple and basic issue, but it is something that many new vendors forget to pay attention to until after a show.  Making sure your inventory systems and records are up-to-date and in order before you show is good practice for building a profitable craft and festival business.

Insurance for Artist and Crafters makes good business sense for work product, supplies, craft shows and festivals.

If you’re at all experienced in being a vendor for various festivals, fairs, and events, you probably know that there are certain health and safety regulations that you’ll be required to follow in order to even get into the fair. However, even if you’re given what looks like and extensive list, you’ll want to go to extremes to protect the health and safety of your employees and customers, as failing to do so could have some pretty severe consequences.

Insurance you never think about it until you need it, but in order to never need it you want to think about it.

We’re always looking for ways to keep on top of our business and want to help you do the same.  This article includes some excellent reading resources and weblinks for artists who want to make a living from their art.  We’d love to hear from you about more resources you’ve found helpful.

2010 will bring more eco-friendly changes to the craft show and festival scene.  Event organizers, vendors and festival goers are trying new methods to reduce their carbon foot print.

We love selling at craft shows, art fairs and festivals.  Meeting buyers face-to-face is a terrific way to learn about your customers.  But, there are many additional sales channels you can use to supplement your festival income.  Check out the list of venues below and let us know which ones work best for you.

Try out the free 60 day trial offered by Constant Contact in partnership with FairsandFestivals.net.  Go to http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=fairsandfestivals.

Making a commitment to freelancing means making a commitment to yourself. To succeed on any freelance site you must be persistent, prepared and professional. To succeed on any freelance site you must make the commitment to doing the best job that you can possibly do on each and every assignment.

Email.  Everyone seems to have it.  Is it a solution that can help you with your business?  Try out the free 60 day trial offered by Constant Contact in partnership with FairsandFestivals.net.  Go to http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=fairsandfestivals.

In some cultures, haggling is expected. For instance, visit a souk in Egypt or elsewhere in the Middle East; if you don’t haggle, the stall vendor is offended. However, visit a comparable stall in Japan and try to haggle, and you’ll do well if the vendor doesn’t ask you to leave. Haggling is largely a cultural thing, but it is increasing in incidence in the US. This is particularly true in the art and craft fair environment. How do you successfully negotiate with customers? How do you ensure that you get the profit you need and deserve, while still making the customer feel as though he or she got a great deal?

Taking the time up front to ensure you meet all legal requirements for your food , craft or art booth business will save you time and money in the long-run. The three areas to pay attention to are:

  * Licenses
  * Permits
  * Taxes

Attending a fair or festival as a vendor is a unique experience and one that certainly helps to reinforce the fact that small businesses are the backbone of the nation. However, staying at the fair for too long can certainly induce some traumatic, though amusing, side effects. How do you know if you’ve stayed too long at that fair or festival? Here are some of the top ways to determine if you’ve overstayed at the fair!

No matter what type of fair or festival you attend, you’ll find that you have to deal with promoters, also known as event organizers. Knowing how to deal with these individuals will help ensure that you have a smooth, enjoyable experience and that you’ll be more likely to have a prime spot next year.

In order to sell funnel cakes, regardless of the venue, you will need to know and adhere to your local and state ordinances. In this, the final installment of this series, you’ll find out what types of licenses and permits are required to sell your funnel cakes at sporting events and fairs around the state. This article utilizes the state of Oklahoma as an example, but you will need to check with your state’s regulatory board for specifics that apply to you. However, these examples will give you a firm grasp of the situation.

If you intend to take advantage of the extremely lucrative funnel cake business, you’ll need to have some very specific equipment, as well as the right venue. This article will help you determine what equipment you need, as well as where you can sell your funnel cakes.

Funnel cakes are almost synonymous with outdoor events, from high school sports games to fairs and festivals all around the nation. These fried, golden, delicious pastries have become a staple of life in almost any outdoor event imaginable and can be the key to starting your own successful concession business. In this 3-part series, you will learn more about funnel cakes, as well as enjoy detailed information about the equipment you’ll need to get started, pricing and profitability specifics and even what licenses are needed and how to obtain them.

Everyone needs some technology nowadays, just to make it through the everyday situations you face. However, fair and festival vendors face some unique challenges, not the least of which is a need to reduce spending in order to maximize profitability. Thankfully, there are some excellent options in the form of free technology out there to help you make ends meet. What options do you have?

A chill is in the air, the leaves are beginning to turn and the thoughts of everyone seem to be gearing up for Halloween, followed by Thanksgiving – it’s fall! That means it’s time for some amazing times at local fall festivals. What makes the best fall festivals for crafters? Where should you go and what should you do to ensure that you are able to maximize your chances of selling your craft products, no matter what they are?

As a crafter, it is absolutely essential that you know what is selling in the current market. What are the most profitable crafts items for fall 2009? How do you determine what these items are, how much they will be worth to you and whether or not you should invest in crafting them?

Fall is in the air, school is back in session and you’re gearing up for those fall festivals. Whether you are a crafter or just love the experience of attending these festivals, browsing stalls and enjoying the cool fall weather, this is a wonderful time of year. You get to enjoy great company, fun and games and experience some of the yummiest fall festival foods. In fact, for many people, it’s the food that makes the festival, in some ways. What are the most popular fall festival foods?

Send us your best festival, craft show, and art show pictures and we’ll award $100 per month for the funniest, most unusual, beautiful, and great photos we receive. 

Did you manage to capture your husband’s face when he went round the ‘Loop da Loop,’ get a picture of your precious little girl riding an elephant, or capture the delight of grandma a she finishes off a funnel cake? 

Maybe you have pictures of your art, your booth, or your business that our visitors would like to see.  Enter as often as you like.  One winner will be chosen per month to receive a $100.00.  Read Official Rules and Regulations for more information.

Have you ever considered yourself a revolutionary?  America is undergoing a new Revolution and it is being driven by independent businesses like you.  Most Americans are not aware of the huge impact craft shows, art fairs, and festivals have on our economy.  According to a report by the Small Business Administration small businesses represent 99.7% of all employer firms, they generate between 60 to 80% of the new jobs each year and are the fastest growing exporters. 

1. You get a manicure and then, cover it in indigo ink.

2. You complain that cards are $4.99 and then go home to make one with $9 in supplies.

3. You have more paint than cereal in the cupboard.

The process of getting a new merchant account can be pretty intimidating. There’s a lot of information out there about merchant accounts and most people don’t have time to wade through all of it before getting a new account. If you’re that person, this tutorial is for you. If you’re pressed for time, here’s the vital information that you need to know before, during and after you get a new merchant account.

Garbing for Renaissance Faire

So you want to dress for Ren. Faire and you don’t know where to begin? Or maybe you want to join a guild, but don’t know how to get started? Starting your costume for Renaissance Faire will get you noticed for guilds and start you on a path to the Renaissance Faire world. It is also a great way to join in on the fun at your local Faire. Here are some ways to help you find the right garb.

Art licensing is an important area in the licensing world. It can help improve an artist’s exposure to the world and subsequently help increase his income as well.

Staycations are ‘in’ this summer.  Economists predict more families will vacation at home this year and spend their entertainment dollars locally.  Affordable and family oriented fairs and festivals are expected to see an increase in attendance.  Specifically fairs and festivals with minimal admission expense and free entertainment will do well.  The hot selling items are going to be handmade, unique and meaningful.  Items that promote the environment and provide value will do better than pretty gadgets.  Read more

A Merchant Account is not really an “account” but it is rather a contract where an acquiring bank lends credit to a merchant that wishes to accept credit card payments. In essence, it is the ability for a business to accept credit cards with a form of credit protection from a bank as payments for services rendered. In the information age, consumers now expect to pay for products and services with their credit cards. Business owners will lose out if they do not cater to their customer’s expectations.

Wouldn’t it be great if you could sell art and crafts on multiple websites, blogs and even facebook without having to create multiple stores or set up a merchant account?  It would be like attending lots of craft shows, art fairs and festivals all at onece. Well Toldya.com has come up with a solution to significantly increase the exposure of your work beyond single location stores like Etsy and Ebay.  Toldya is a free portable store you can copy and paste just about anywhere.  We think this tool is is a great addition for anyone selling online.  Don’t give up your etsy store, but do create a mini Toldya store and bring your products to your customers instead of waiting for them to find you.  Read more to find out how you can do this in 3 easy steps.

Having sold at varied events for over twenty years, ranging from flea markets, renaissance faires, wine festivals, conventions, and private gatherings, we can say this business method is a viable, oftentimes lucrative money making option if one is willing to research, organize, maintain stock and vehicles, drive distances, acquire people skills, and to exert the physical strength necessary to set up and tear down a booth within a limited amount of time. Yes, to say it’s hard work is an understatement, but the almost guaranteed fast flow of cash makes it all worthwhile. Selling on the road requires preparation months or years in advance but the result is well worth the effort.

You’ve heard of New York City, Kansas City, Park City, even The Emerald City. But have you ever heard of Festival City?

Edmonton, Alberta has trademarked the name Festival City, and with good reason. With over 30 high-profile annual festivals held throughout the year, Edmonton has perfected how to showcase the arts, sports, culture, food and beverage, and business opportunities while maximizing the economic impact on the city. Millions of visitors, and millions of infused dollars later, Edmonton has established itself as the number one Canadian city for festivals and special events. Internationally, communities that are planning a new event or festival look to Edmonton as an example and case study. Festival City has already done the homework.

In a time when economic times are tough, one bright spot is craft shows, fairs and festivals. In the second quarter alone, local festivals impacted the local economy and brought in an estimated $4.1 Billion to United States neighborhoods, according to the Craft Organization Directors Association (CODA). Not only do craft shows financial asset to economies, but the events rekindle the foundation that supported societies for decades: local arts and crafts.

Making money by selling your original craft creations is a great achievement and provides a great feeling.  You will make even more money as you gain experience and begin doing juried shows.  What is a juried craft show?  It is a craft show in Utah that has some sort of application requirements in order to participate.  Your crafts will be judged and you will have to be selected in order to be able to sell your crafts at this type of craft shows in Utah.  There is more work involved and, of course, a greater reward for your efforts.

Do you ever stop to think about how lucky you are?  Living in Hawaii, one of the most beautiful places on earth, and having your crafting business that allows you to make money doing something you love, are great in themselves.  That is a dream-come-true for most people and you are making it happen.  Of course, there are challenges still.  You have to learn all the ins and outs of running your own small business including how to build a following for your craft work so you can make money year round and not just at craft shows in Hawaii.