With craft fairs on the horizon, prepare your business now. There are plenty of ways to attract attention, from personalized T-shirts to engaging the right channels of communication in the weeks and months prior. Follow the guide below, and you'll be ready to promote your company and network in style.

A Guide to Preparing Your Business for Fairs

Where Should You Focus Attention?

Before you do anything, study up on the craft fairs you plan to attend. Determine if your business is a good fit, or if you offer something fresh or different enough to stand out among a potentially crowded field.

The next step is to prepare everything well in advance. If you're going to hire someone to create personalized T-shirts, for instance, come up with realistic numbers and bolster your budget accordingly. Factor in whether your company will be selling the custom shirts or offering them as promotional items.

Depending on the type of business you run, you might want to consider other pieces that will attract guests to your space. You can get creative beyond an assortment of personalized T-shirts. See how your logo fits on tote bags, pens, bottle openers, and similar merchandise that's easy to order in bulk. Consult with multiple companies for T-shirt printing and item orders to find the right combination of price and quality.

What Are the Benefits?

The more prepared you are for this year's craft fairs, the more you'll be able to reap all the benefits that come along with them. Many fair attendees discover new local businesses they may otherwise have overlooked, so it's a fantastic way to open up another direct channel between you and future clients, especially if you don’t have an established storefront. Offering promotional items such as personalized T-shirts will not only get your name out there, but also ensure those in attendance remember it.

Beyond gaining new customers, craft fairs are all about business networking. Local brands are often willing and able to build one another up or simply help spread the word. Even those in direct competition will learn valuable advice during a face-to-face meeting. Putting yourself out there lets both clients and fellow businesses know how dedicated you are to moving forward in your industry and continuing to positively develop and expand your brand.

Hawaii's craft fair season is right around the corner, so it's never too early to start sourcing personalized T-shirts. Businesses throughout Oahu have been calling upon the expertise of Honolulu Shirt Shop for screen printing, embroidery, and related shirt printing services since 1984. You can count on their team to help you develop and execute a bold design. Head to their website for more information about their advanced printing techniques, and call them at (808) 847-0831 to get started on your project today.