shescrafty…

Without telling your life story, let customers know you’ll be away for a while. Otherwise, customers may continue to order, ask questions, or request information. When you don’t complete the transaction on time, your feedback and reputation may suffer. The customer may even think you’re a scammer and take legal action.

List your news in a prominent place on your start page. State the date you’ll be away and when you’ll return, if this is known. Tell them if you will be able to answer emails. List any shipping delays as well.

Copy and paste that information and add it to your shipping info page. Add it to your order form page or merchandise listings if possible. If this is too tall of an order, add it to the pages with your most popular items, such as sale or clearance pages. Send this information to everyone on your mailing list, too.

If you’re on a site that allows users an avatar, consider changing yours temporarily to say, “Vacation”, or “Away til ___”.

All my insurance information is going into the magic folder of papers. This should include renter’s, house, car, life, health, dental etc. Tax I.D., business license, doing business as forms go in, too. Those little cards in your wallet might be enough to see you through an emergency, but I’m taking any paperwork I don’t want to reapply for if the worst happens.

Something many people forget to take is a list of usernames and passwords for various websites. Just like we forget phone numbers when we have speed dial, cookies have made it easy to forget passwords! If you can’t take your desktop, taking a list of this information may help you keep your business moving from a computer at your evacuation hidey-hole.

Strangers will ask you where you got it. In some cases, they even offer to buy items right off your arm! This is a giant opening to offer them your business card.

Not only is this a good way to stir up interest in your merchandise; it’s a good way to gauge the public’s interest in what you have to offer. It’s nice to get feedback from outside of the craft community every now and then!

Have you ever been stopped to have some of your wearable work admired? Gushing is encouraged here

I have experience assisting and running craft vending booths for over 5 years, as well as helping to set up fundraisers and events. It’s safe to say that I’ve seen ups and downs, well run booths and poorly run tables, too.

There are lots of things I’d have appreciated a ‘heads up’ about, so I’d like to do that for others. If you have problems or questions about vending, please ask and I’ll get back to you.

My pick: a pocketbook… made from a book!

How To Make a Purse From a Book by Emma S.

I need to make one of these for my cards!

Some other ideas to consider adding to your stock are berets, cardigans, and anything with a late 50s to early 60s look. Wool and knit stuff is in, and black is gonna be back. The fashion Powers That Be seem to think they’ll be big this Fall and Winter season!

Know Who Pays For What

Is shipping included in the price of the items? Or will they be hand delivered? Surprise shipping costs can take a major bite out of your profit, as online sellers will tell you.

What Form of Payment and When?

Decide when payment is due; when the order is placed or upon delivery. Which credit cards do you accept? Will you take personal checks or cash?

Last but Not Least

This is a biggie. What percentage of the proceeds will go to you versus the fundraiser? It’s vital to make this decision before your jump into this. A little wiggle room is fine, but if you leave this up to others, you may end up not only working for free or for sweatshop wages, but you could end up in the hole. Run your numbers and know how much you can give and still come out on top.

Next: Roundup of hot craft ideas from Associated Content to add to your inventory!

Paperwork

Do you have all the necessary paperwork in order to prove that you’re business is legit? These papers could include state and local licenses, proof of tax I.D., and proof of nonprofit status if you run a charity. Who wants to risk getting in trouble by working with a slightly shady fundraiser?

Products

How many products are available for sale? Also, how long will it take to fill orders? Having extra helpers on standby is a good idea in case the drive goes really well. The last thing any business wants is to turn a customer (and there money) away unsatisfied.

Next: Who pays for what? Ironing out the details.

 For this example, let’s say that the fundraiser is for the local middle school band department. They need to raise cash for new uniforms.

Pro: Helping the kids. ‘Nuff said.

Con: The kids will expect prizes for the top sellers and goodie bags for everyone.

P: Kids can be highly motivated salespersons.

C: You may be swamped with orders.

P: Your crafts and business gets lots of exposure.

C: Your crafts and business will be under the microscope.

P or C: This will require time spent on the phone and giving a presentation or three.

P: Your products will be shown of in catalog form.

C: You must supply order forms and catalogs.

Putting together a fundraiser for a large group is not for every small business, especially one that makes craft items by hand for sale. While the payoff can be large, the amount of work that goes into putting the whole thing together and following through is sometimes even larger.

Next: some pros and cons to think about before deciding to do a fundraiser.

Gifts that go along with what you’re selling are nice. An extra chain is a welcome addition to a pendant. On a smaller scale, a square polishing cloth is a useful and thoughtful addition to jewelry purchases in general. If you’re selling materials, a little extra would be appreciated. Especially if I’m buying!

What about when you’re selling time intensive, one of a kind crafts or artwork? Adding general gifts like bookmarks or a magnet is a good choice. You can even make your business card into a magnet using peel and stick blank magnets. You can find these at Wal-Mart or any office supply store.

One of the coolest freebies I every received was a glass pebble with a happy face painted on it. A little card came with it that explained that it was a worry stone to rub when you need a smile. Goofy, but sweet!