MAKER MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Makers really appreciate organized producers who generate clear and timely communications. This section outlines some of the “formal” moments of interaction with makers.
HINT: Replace the word “maker” with “vendor,” “performer,” or “sponsor” here and you can see how this works.
Call for Makers Application
This is the primary information-gathering interaction between you and your maker. You want them to submit just about everything you will need to evaluate their idea/exhibit, and to promote them and their exhibit at the Faire. (See this example maker application Google form.) Always remember to download the data from this form before working in it.
Maker Agreement
Once you have sent a letter of acceptance to your makers, you can ask them to go online and fill out a maker agreement or sign and mail one back to you. This is your assurance from them that they are committing to exhibit at your Mini Maker Faire.
Maker Faire combines their agreement with a guide or manual. If you have that much information in advance, great; otherwise, use the agreement to cement the makers’ commitment to you and share the production information as you know it via email. See a sample agreement here. Also reference the complete Bay Area Maker Faire Maker Manual.
COMMUNICATION WITH MAKERS
Maker Communications
Limit your communications to makers. Send well-crafted and clear messages, and use the subject line to create continuity between messages. Here is the list of emails we sent our makers throughout the entire project process (click on the links to see full copy):
You’ll want a flexible tool set for tracking, organizing and generating communications with makers. While the tool sets are getting easier, we found that there’s still not just one perfect tool, especially when moving from spreadsheets or databases to email.
Here are some examples of the kinds of tool sets you will need, along with a recommendation for simple or free, shareable software:
Data Management: Google Docs spreadsheet
Data Management: Google Docs “Collection” or DropBox (paid)
Mass Email generation: Gmail, MailChimp
Forms and Surveys: Google Docs Forms, Wufoo.com, SurveyMonkey.com (paid for reports)