The Day After a Craft Show: What to Do Next

The craft show may be over, but the work doesn’t stop yet. Taking the time to review your performance, check inventory, and organize your finances will set you up for even more success at your next event. The day after is a great time to reflect on what went well, what could be improved, and how to stay connected with new customers.

Review Your Inventory

• Count what’s left: Compare what you started with and what sold to determine bestsellers and slower-moving items.

• Restock accordingly: If a product nearly sold out, it’s a sign to make more for future events. If something didn’t sell, consider adjusting pricing, presentation, or even discontinuing it.

• Check for damaged products: If anything got scuffed or broken during the show, decide whether it can be repaired, discounted, or removed from your inventory.

Track Your Earnings and Expenses

Keeping detailed financial records helps you understand how profitable each craft show is and whether it's worth attending again.

• Log total sales: Record the amount of money made during the event.

• Subtract expenses: Deduct booth fees, travel costs, materials, and any money spent at the show (food, shopping from other vendors, parking, etc.).

• Update your spreadsheet: Having a craft show expense and profit tracker allows you to see trends over time and determine whether a particular event is worth doing again.

Clean and Store Your Equipment

If you used a tent and it rained during the show, set it up again to dry. Packing a wet tent can lead to mold and damage.

• Wipe down tables, signs, and displays to remove dust or dirt.

• Organize and repack supplies so you’re not scrambling before your next show.

• Restock business cards, price tags, and bags if you ran low.

Follow Up with Customers

If you collected emails during the event, don’t let them sit untouched.

• Add new contacts to your email platform and tag them as craft show customers so you know where they came from.

• Send a follow-up email thanking them for stopping by, reminding them of your next show, and including a link to your online store or social media.

• Offer a special thank-you discount if you want to encourage post-show purchases.

Reflect on the Event

Taking a few minutes to evaluate the event will help you make better decisions about future shows.

• What went well?

  • Did you have strong sales?

  • Did customers comment on anything they loved?

  • Did your booth attract a lot of attention?

• What could be improved?

  • Was your display engaging enough?

  • Did you feel prepared with the right amount of inventory?

  • Was your setup efficient, or did you struggle with organization?

• Was the event worth it?

  • Did you meet your sales goals?

  • Was the crowd the right audience for your products?

  • Would you sign up for this event again?

Keep a notebook or a digital record of your thoughts on each show. Over time, you’ll see patterns in what works best for you and which events are worth attending again.

Final Thoughts

Taking the time to review your inventory, finances, and customer interactions after a craft show will make your next event even more successful. By keeping good records and following up with customers, you’ll continue building momentum for your business. Each event is a learning experience—use it to refine your strategy and make the next show even better.