British Craft Trade Fair 2008

Whether you are new to hand-making or an old hand, you can learn and awful lot by visiting a major trade show like the British Craft Trade Fair, at Harrogate. Obviously, I am not condoning copying fellow hand-makers designs. That's just plain wrong. But, seeing how others present themselves and what they are presenting can be inspiring and highly informative.

One thing that strikes me when I go to any of the gift-related trade shows, is what sets exhibitors apart from non-exhibitors. And, that is often simply that they are there and you are not. They are going for it, promoting their business to the (in this case) 4000 or so trade buyers visiting. You're beavering away at home on something that must be equally important, I suppose.

Of course, I am being a little harsh to emphasize my point. And, I appreciate that doing a show is a big commitment and major investment for a young upstart hand-making business. But, look at the opportunity. You could work tirelessly on self-promotion for years without a hope of reaching those 4000 buyers!

What I'm also saying is don't fear the competition. Don't feel like the exhibitors must have better products or more established businesses. Some of them might just have a steadier nerve and more impatient nature.

Apart for the opportunity to kick start your sales, trade shows also offer the chance to get (almost) priceless feedback from potential stockists. Enabling you to get on to a faster track to ultimate success. Feedback is the live blood of a successful business.

Feedback and even financial ruin from a poor show can also save you time. I once ran an unsuccessful business. But, I was very careful to run out of money slowly. Of course, all this did was delay failure. The business still bombed - I just wasted more of my time on it. Had I committed more money in the early days, I would have learnt sooner that the business model just wasn't right and had a rethink.

The British Craft Trade Fair is from April 6th - 8th, at Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate. I suggest you try to steal your way in this year. You'll learn loads. And, as soon as you get home, book your place for next year's show - as an exhibitor. Because, whether it's the making or ruin of your business, ultimately you will benefit.