National Craft Month: 10 Ideas for Retailers

National Craft Month is just around the corner and I want to help you, the retail store owner, prepare for it.

We should all look at National Craft Month as a movement. Why? When I ask workshop attendees in my own store what brings them in, many of them say they reserve a spot in our workshops so they can put their phone downs and dedicate some time doing things they love….being creative!

So, as retailers, let’s take the time in March to offer all of our busy customers an opportunity to do something fun!

Even if you’re not a traditional craft store, don’t let that stop you. There are many ways you can take advantage of the opportunity to bring people and ideas together.

Here are 10 ways retailers can take advantage of National Craft Month in March:

1) In-store displays. Take the time to craft something for your own store and make a display out of paper and scissors, or fabric and glue.

I recently made this yarn wall hanging out of a birch branch, twine, and yarn. Often times, when I create crafty projects to display in our store, customers start asking us to teach it in a workshop. See how that works- it’s a win-win!

2) Store-front window displays. Impress potential customers with an amazing window display. Darice offers a wide vary of both craft and non-craft items that can help you turn window shoppers into valuable customers. Keep an eye out for a detailed blog post on this exact topic coming late March!

3) Host a creative workshop or co-host a craft party. If you don’t already offer workshops in your store, check out this blog post where I give you a checklist of items to get you started.

4) Social media. Create a poll and ask your followers what they enjoy creating during their free time. Did you know engagement on social media is the best way to get Facebook and Instagram to show your posts to more followers? So go ahead and post those funny memes or questions to get your followers to interact to your posts!

5) Co-host a giveaway with a local maker or vendor. Team up with a local maker or vendor to collaborate on a giveaway hosted on social media. Cross promote each other for maximum exposure.

6) Upcycle it. Do you sell or collect salvaged, vintage or secondhand goods? Take a few of the items and upcycle them into something amazing. Then, offer the fun DIY project tutorial on your blog or in a social media post.

Years ago, my sister and I upcycled an old birdcage into a pretty desk organizer and then we offered the tutorial on our blog.

7) Host a pop-up shop with local crafters. No matter where your store is located, there are surely a plethora of talented crafters and makers nearby. Invite a few of them into your store for a pop-up shop. Be sure to list it as an event on Facebook and share the event in all your local Facebook groups.

8) Do a LIVE demo or weekly craft tip video. If you really want to get more exposure on social media, go LIVE in videos! Every Monday (or whatever day you choose) in March go Live on Facebook and/or Instagram and give a craft tip or do a demo video for a project. If you’re not sure how to do a Facebook live, click here for my quick tutorial.

9) Add a crafting corner for kids. Do you have a lot of moms with kids shopping in your store? Create a little crafting area or play nook for the kids so mom can shop!

10) Host a photo challenge on Instagram in honor of National Craft Month. Ask your followers to post a photo of their favorite craft project.

Ask them to tag you
Use a custom hashtag that you create just for the challenge
Pick a winner at the end of the day (if you like, offer a gift or just offer bragging rights)

People love to share and show off some of their own projects. This gives them a fun opportunity to do that AND it creates engagement and activity on your Instagram account!

Your customers might be busy, but they all have hobbies and millions of people like to craft, so why not give them an opportunity to create, shop, share and have fun…. all through your retail business?

Thanks to our business blogger, Kathy Cruz from the Savvy Shopkeeper for today’s post.