Times are hard and according to most current news reports things aren't going to get much better any time soon. Many people can't wait for the recovery to happen, they have bills to pay and children to feed right now. So they look for ways to earn a little income. For many people that means selling the crafts they have been making for years. Whether that craft is those homemade candles, fragrance free soaps, birdhouses or what have you there is going to be a market for your wares. However, how do you get people to notice your product so you can start making sells?

The Internet and Crafts shows are both great ways to get your items noticed and you will eventually want to use both these available resources. But, in order to get those craft items noticed among the other hundreds or thousands of crafts being sold through these means it helps to have at least a small following to start.

Testimonials praising your product will help convince visitors to your craft website decide to try your product, and seeing people actually purchasing products from your craft booth will encourage others to check out your wares. Which means in both cases you need somewhere and some way to introduce your product first to people who are likely to respond favorably. That's where the craft party comes in.

A craft party can get your wares introduce to a small group of people, can give you an idea of what your potential customers will really like, and can actually become a way in itself to make some of that extra income. This is not an entirely new idea, Tupperware and various home decor companies have been using these parties for generations and increasing their sales by doing so. You are simply taking their idea and re-creating it to make it your own.

What You Need To Get Started

While it sounds really difficult it is pretty simple to organize one of these parties it is really pretty simple. All your really need is the following:

A great friend who has a lot of friends who love buying homemade crafts or at least the type of product you are selling and who is willing to host the party for you

A place to hold the party

A date and time

Food

games and prizes (samples of your products make great prizes)

Your wares

If you have a product such as candles, candies, or soaps you are also going to want small samples that your guests can try for themselves to get a clear view of the smells, the way they feel etc.

Brochures of some of your products if possible

Setting Up For The Party

Be sure to arrive in plenty of time to set up your displays for the party. This means having some means of displaying your wares to show them off at their best. For example: If you are selling home made Christmas ornaments then have a Christmas tree set up and decorated with your ornament so that the guests can get a clear idea on these ornaments will fit on their tree. If you are selling unique planters then you might want to have plants in two or three so your guests can see how attractive they look with live plants in them.

Have your games and other activities organized and your prizes marked and ready.

When The Guest Start Arriving

When the guests start arriving be there with your host or hostess to great each arrival. Be smiling and upbeat and invite them to look over the displays while they are waiting for everyone else to arrive. Answer any questions they may have about your product but, don't push your sales to hard.

Once everyone is assembled then it is time to do your presentation. Intersperse the presentation with different games or activities. For example, if you are selling different fragrances of candles, you might have a game where the guests are blindfolded and then smell the candle and guess the scents. This not only makes a fun game but, helps your potential customers find those scents they like the best.

After The Presentation

Once the presentation is over, then provide snacks or lunch for the guests and order forms so they can order the products they want. One of the great things about a craft party is that you can also allow guests to buy right from the party. Many guests will love the idea that they can take the product home with them that day.

Make sure you advise your guests that you would be willing to book other parties if they would like to have one, and provide them with an incentive like a hostess gift for booking. Make sure that everyone has a brochure that your contact details on it in case they want to order something later or want to pass the brochure on to a friend or family member.

Tricks And Tips To Help With Sales

It is often difficult to make those first initial sales but, there are some tricks and tips that may help get things rolling.

If you are selling something like candles, soaps, or bath salts consider making up small sample packs that contain smaller versions of several of your wares and selling them for a fair price.

Give but two get the third one for ½ price discounts

Offer to take 25% off your 3 biggest sales

Offer a percentage off to anyone who purchases more than a certain dollar amount.

People love deals especially in this economy. If your product is well made and sells for a good price and you sweeten the pot with some money saving deals chances are you will start making sells.

Once you have some enthusiastic customers returning for more products then you can let them know what craft shows you will be selling your products at or ask them to write a testimonial for your website and you will be on your way to creating that extra income you so desperately need.