I'm not being negative, I'm being realistic.
Of all the people that attend art festivals and art fairs - from parking lot shows to the top 10 in the country...
- 69% of the attendees are artists, crafters, wanna-be artists and their spouses and children and friends. The artists are looking at what's being sold, what is relevant, what is new and are looking for ideas for techniques, materials, etc.
- 25% of the attendees are our "accidental" tourists; visiting the area, looking for something to do while on vacation, at a conference, etc. If it is a free event, it's a day out. Sometimes they're just there for the entertainment/music/food and the art festival is the side show.
- 1% are trying to sell the artists something - plexi card holders, advertising, web sites, etc.
- 5% of the attendees are actually looking for art.
- most of them have a small budget and won't actually buy anything or will buy a small print or bowl or ornament
- most of them don't have any room for more art
- many of them will buy jewelry because they don't have any room for more art
- some want to get a deal and want to bargain with you
- and of those left...that actually know about art, want to know where you show your work, want to see your portfolio, discuss your inspiration, etc.
- only a few of them can make a decision [with their spouse] to buy something at that moment
- even fewer have the means to do so.
- most of them have a small budget and won't actually buy anything or will buy a small print or bowl or ornament
- 100% of them are there to sell their work.
Good luck to all of us!
Comments
1. Volume - number of attendees. The larger the number, the more chance of having one of those folks with spendable money coming into my booth and buying something.
2. Demographics - Most people coming to any show are from right around it. Look online to find the median income level per person and per family.
3. Management - Do they advertise? Are they easy to work with? Are they reasonable in what they want me to do?
Just learning about those three things will tell you whether to to do a specific show or not. For my wife and I, #2 led us to a small church 'Country Fair' in a VERY affluent area that's proved to be one of our best for many years although the volume of attendees is low. We also vended at all three of Richmond's National Folk Festivals and did extremely well because of volume and really good management. I was the wood turner at Artscape in downtown Baltimore for three years (in July and unbelievable heat!). The demographics were terrible, but that show drew up to a million people when the weather was good.
If a show has two out of the three as positives, you'll probably do well.
I agree with you that the percentage of people who will actually connect with you on a such a high level that they are willing to plunk down hard earned cash on a given day at a show is very very small.
Many artists have lowered their prices, or are offering pieces to appeal to the souvenir seeker. The percentage of artists that have held fast to their vision and are not selling out in some way is very very small these days, it seems.
Negative? Hardly!
Bad year? Nope! In fact, I've had the best year ever!
I participate in shows that attract 200.000 attendees...
Out of the 200,000 - how many of those people do you see carrying art away?
Statistics?
I calculated percentages from the aggregate number of attendees provided by the show.
I do a count of how many people stop in my booth during the show.
Of those, how many ask me questions about my materials, my resources, my techniques, my subjects. I ask if they are artists. Of those, I count how many make a purchase and how many walk away. I also do a count of those who are interested in my work, take my card or brochures and of those, who make a purchase.
Most of my work is over $1000.00 - not too many people can make a snap decision to make a purchase [these days] of that amount. However, after the show, I have made sales to those who have met me and looked at my site and find me a credible artist worth investing their dollars in.
I also have reproductions and less expensive items for those who can make a purchase under $1000.00 - under $500.00 and under $50!.
The last show I was in - one of the top ten in the country - I did some research - several artists that usually make much more than I do at any give show sold absolutely nothing. Most didn't make their booth fee, much less travel and lodging. I did.
I am truly sorry you read it that way.