Anyone who has entered juried art shows...

[lyssa615]

I am thinking of entering a local art festival this summer (they will take a look at my work and if they like it, they will "accept" me as an artis). I'd like to sell some matted prints and hopefully a few framed prints but I'm not sure it will be worth it, considering there is a $200 fee just for the booth plus all the other expenses I'll have to pay for matting, frames, etc. I can price what I sell at my discretion of course.
I would like to hear photographers' experiences with art shows/festivals. Do you make a profit? How are your sales and is it really worth it? Obviously every art show and product we sell is different but I am just trying to guage whether or not this will be worth my time and money if they accept me.
Thanks!!

[themichael]

Have you ever attended this show? You'd be very surprised what sells at these things. Glass door knobs on copper tube outsold ALL photographic art at a local show.

Find a way to accept plastic. A laptop with a wifi/cellphone internet connection and a paypal/google-checkout account will go a long way in helping sales. A lot of people don't card hundreds with them these days. If they walk away to use the ATM, they might change their minds on the sale.

Don't waste your time or money framing. Also have a selection of unmounted prints for those who "can't quite afford" a mounted print.

Get postcards made up with a thumbnail collection on the front. Sort of a mini catalog of your "liked by everybody" shots. Put your contact info on the back. Use adhesive mailing labels. Hand them out to anybody slightly interested. I've gotten calls 6 months after a show.

Offer a full refund if they aren't happy. Find out why while you are giving the refund. Let them know you will give them the money back, but you would like know what the problem is so you can make it better. Maybe they want a smaller image, or a bigger image, or a different one. Make them happy and they comeback.

And talk to the people. Making a connection with them adds to the value of the print. Tell the story behind the print to those looking. If you ignore the customers, they will ignore you. People like to buy stuff from their "friends".

I broke pretty much even at the show. I have several prints left over for the next one. I know what might sell better this year. Not accepting plastic stopped several sales that would of really help the "L Glass Fund" out.

[mrslevite]

I have been to arts and craft shows as a seller and it's really iffy. If you can talk to others who have been to that particular show in the past, you can get better information than we can provide you. Also, if you invest the time and money required to properly prepare for the show, then you will probably want to plan to attend more shows in addition to this one to recoup more of your investment. The more product you have on hand, the be more attractive your display will be and the better your chances of breaking even if not making a profit.

[chtgrubbs]

Won several prizes at juried shows, but never made a profit from print sales.