Maker Relations

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):

  1. East Bay Mini Maker Faire says “Hello Maker!”
  2. Makers Info #2 re:  East Bay Mini Maker Faire
  3. Makers Info #3 re:  East Bay Mini Maker Faire
  4. EBMMF Maker / Crafter Load In Information: 360-42nd Street Entrance
  5. East Bay Mini Maker Faire: Four Days Later

 

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

  • Master list of makers (for outreach)
  • Call for Makers response data
  • Accepted makers
  • Press/Media list(s)
  • Sponsorship list

Data Management:  Google Docs “Collection” or DropBox (paid)

  • Picture library
  • Design asset library (logos, banners etc)

Mass Email generation:  Gmail, MailChimp

  • Call for Makers promotion
  • Maker acceptance/rejection letters
  • Accepted maker communications
  • Press releases and various promo
  • Email announcements (for forwarding)

Forms and Surveys:  Google Docs Forms, Wufoo.com, SurveyMonkey.com (paid for reports)

  • Call for Makers form
  • Emergency queries (Rain forecast:  who has tents?)
  • Post-event feedback (via Maker Faire’s Survey Monkey account)