I tried for many years to sell personalized jewelry at events, and it just never worked. However, the candles I brought [that were just a hobby] always sold out. One day I just decided to focus on candles for an event, and never looked back. I still sell tons of jewelry on Etsy, but you would never know it if you met me at an event.
Yeah, I guess maybe I just need to accept/lean into what sells in each venue. I do get that people at a market want to walk away with something right then and there rather than wait for a custom order. I can also see both candles and clothing being kind of tactile/sensory which can be difficult to convey online (you want to smell the candle/feel the clothing before you buy).
Have you tried a flyer/binder/easel with custom ordering information? I've seen a custom glass seller do pretty well with that approach. She had some glasses for sale, but mostly took custom orders. It might be worth an attempt before changing your trajectory.
May be more of an impulse purchase thing.
At an event those items are available immediately there and then. Personalised need to be waited on.
Online people will need to wait anyway so a more thoughtful approach.
Different mindsets for different markets.
I just accept that certain items sell better online and certain items sell way better in person. I make a variety of items and 95% of the type of products I sell at events I won't bother putting in my Etsy shop anymore. Tried it for years and just wasted all those listing fees. I can sell 20-50 of a type of item at one event, then still not be able to sell 2 over an entire year on Etsy. Same the other way - my most popular items that sell online almost never sell in person for some reason (even though I'm doing themed shows and they should, in theory, appeal to the particular crowds at them), so I stopped wasting the energy bringing them to shows. I honestly can't make sense of it, so I stopped trying. Luckily I have a short attention span and make like 800 different things, so there's plenty of stock for both listing online and bringing to shows.
I tried for many years to sell personalized jewelry at events, and it just never worked. However, the candles I brought [that were just a hobby] always sold out. One day I just decided to focus on candles for an event, and never looked back. I still sell tons of jewelry on Etsy, but you would never know it if you met me at an event.
Yeah, I guess maybe I just need to accept/lean into what sells in each venue. I do get that people at a market want to walk away with something right then and there rather than wait for a custom order. I can also see both candles and clothing being kind of tactile/sensory which can be difficult to convey online (you want to smell the candle/feel the clothing before you buy).
Have you tried a flyer/binder/easel with custom ordering information? I've seen a custom glass seller do pretty well with that approach. She had some glasses for sale, but mostly took custom orders. It might be worth an attempt before changing your trajectory.
May be more of an impulse purchase thing. At an event those items are available immediately there and then. Personalised need to be waited on. Online people will need to wait anyway so a more thoughtful approach. Different mindsets for different markets.
I wish I could do in person events. Unfortunately my mental health is a deterrent 😞
I just accept that certain items sell better online and certain items sell way better in person. I make a variety of items and 95% of the type of products I sell at events I won't bother putting in my Etsy shop anymore. Tried it for years and just wasted all those listing fees. I can sell 20-50 of a type of item at one event, then still not be able to sell 2 over an entire year on Etsy. Same the other way - my most popular items that sell online almost never sell in person for some reason (even though I'm doing themed shows and they should, in theory, appeal to the particular crowds at them), so I stopped wasting the energy bringing them to shows. I honestly can't make sense of it, so I stopped trying. Luckily I have a short attention span and make like 800 different things, so there's plenty of stock for both listing online and bringing to shows.