Should I sell merchandise like note cards and small items at art shows?

Generally avoid low-priced merchandise like note cards if you’re doing fine art shows. Many higher-end shows explicitly prohibit merchandise anyway. More importantly, inexpensive items like $5 note cards tend to cannibalize your print sales - someone who loves a piece will buy the note card instead of the $39 print. Additionally, dealing with $5 transactions keeps you busy when you should be talking to customers who might spend $1,000+. The extra inventory also complicates logistics. When you’re starting out, note cards might help, but as you grow, focus on your core products with meaningful price points. Photo books are generally acceptable and don’t have the same cannibalization effect.

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Asked by general teaching · Answered by John Kennington · art-marketing-podcast · 2024-11-22