There’s something I really love about the start of fall. It is a time for reflection, new goals and an opportunity to plan your attack for craft show season!! I know we just said goodbye to lazy summer days, but now is the time to start gearing up for the most lucrative part of year. The more you prepare for the holiday season, the more money you will make AND the less stressed you will feel. It’s pretty much win-win all around, so you should definitely climb on board the Cha Chingle Bell train!!
Since today is the day that Cha Chingle Bells goes live, I thought I would give you a list of my best holiday craft show production tips:
- First off write out your goals. What do you want to do differently this year? How much money do you want to make? How do you want to feel by the end of the season? Spend at least 2 hours getting really clear on what this season is going to look and feel like for you.
- Put all your shows into a Google calendar. I like Google docs because you can access them from anywhere, but if you are old school and like a pen/paper writing out all your shows works too.
- Create a spreadsheet with all your shows. If you have done any of them before, list what your sales were from previous years. It is best to have how many units sold and total sales. The more detailed you can be the better. If you haven’t done any shows before guestimate based on what your goals are based on how much you can potentially make.
- What supplies do you need to order to be able to meet this production? Do you have any materials from last season that you can still use? Put this all into your spreadsheet so you know exactly what you need to get in order to make enough product.
- Based on all this info, create a productions schedule. Put what you are going to do and when directly into your calendar. If it is not scheduled, it is not real! Make sure you give yourself enough time to complete everything and remember things always take longer than you think. Think about how you can batch jobs so you are as efficient as possible. Would some extra help make a huge difference? Can you get an intern or pay a friend to help out a bit?
- Stay on track. A good way to not become completely overwhelmed is to focus on what needs to be done day by day. Don’t worry about next week or next month. Just get done what needs to be done today and the rest will take care of itself.
If you are interested in learning more about how to maximize your success this holiday season, make sure you sign up for Cha Chingle Bells. Today is also the very last day you will get Etsy 101: Keys to Selling Online for FREE ($35 value).
Have any of your own tips for getting organized? Please share them in the comments below. If you liked this article please share it on the interwebs using the FB and the Twitter. Plz & Thx.
I wish you all the success in the world this holiday season. Now go make it rain dolla’ bills!!
Sparkly love,
Jenna