Craft Show Booth Success...

I was talking to my friend who has an up market clothing store and she
said people go to the left which is why she has her best displays on the
right to attract them over. She said the same as Shirley, we also drive
on the left. In Europe they turn right and they mainly drive on
the right.
Cheers, Jan

Shirley Shone wrote:

When I go to a craft show I always turn left as I go in. I work my way
clockwise round the outside of the hall. Then I go up and down the rows
in the centre. Maybe it is because we drive on the left side of the
road. LOL
Shirley

Interesting, I do the "clockwise" thing too. It just seems natural to me.

Yes, I'm sure it's a driving pattern thing. We're always advised to keep to
the right.

I am conscious that I make an exception when I go to a grocery store that
has the produce to the right, because I then go to the left to prevent the
produce from getting squashed.

The commitment thing. I always get an overview first. Then I look
carefully at what's offered by the ones I like best, make conversation and
often I compliment. Often I will go back a third time to commit my money in
addition to my interest. At least that's how I do things on a limited
budget and at a venue I'm unfamiliar with. And of course, shows in Alaska
are small enough to give the room a third go round.

Tina


wrote in message
ups.com...
LOL Shirley, I never thought it could be the opposite for UK folks :-)
When I make my first pass, I stick to the centre of the aisle...which
reminds me...

The artist mentioned about how people make commitments to buy - and I
guess I'm not very committed on that first pass :-D Basically by coming
up to your table, they're making one commitment to look, if they hold
something, they're making a commitment to (hopefully) buy, and somehow
you have to cement it in a few seconds before they're distracted by
something else.

Oh! That was another thing. If you can, move the table a foot or so
back from the main aisle. That gets people out of traffic, and they're
not swept away by other shoppers.

Best,
Christine

Great tips.

Tina


wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi guys,

On Saturday I went to the local art college to attend a day long class
by a local jeweller and metalsmith who is very successful with his
work. He has been able to support himself with his work over the past
ten years and even produced work for wholesale. Only four people
including myself showed up for the class, so it was really nice and
personal. There was so much advice, that it would take forever to share
it, but here are what I thought were the best tips:

Hi guys, yesterday I went to an all day class with a member of a local
craft council on how to create a great looking both. I can't share
everything (that would take a ton of space, but I'll share the most
helpful bits). I wish something like this had been offered years ago!

- design your booth, don't let it just "happen". Visit your favourite
stores for inspiration. Do you want to be Wal-Mart or Harry Rosen (as
an example - when he was saying this, all I could think of was what Dr.
Sooz said to me...it's so true...this year my table will not "happen")

- your booth creates a perception of your work. If it looks cluttered
like a flea market, people will expect flea market prices.

- use risers, or even go the extra step of physically raising the table
(or using a custom table at counter height). Tables are made for
sitting, not standing, and by raising the product, people don't have to
bend to see your work.

- whether you're indoors or outdoors, use lighting to your advantage.
Position lights so they don't get in your eyes or the customers eyes,
and make sure that they light a product, rather than casting it in
shadow. Clamp light or swing arm lights work good.

- use signage boldly. Even though your name may be on the table, people
still instinctively look up to see who you are. Let people see you from
far away as well.

- use a folding stool instead of a chair. You can still rest by leaning
on cheek on it :-) and still be at eye level with a customer. For short
folks you can also see over the table too :-D

Part of the class also included asking the vendor tons of questions.
For example, if power is provided, how much power (is it just an outlet
in a wall that you have to share?), will the tables be all together
with no room to get out, etc etc.

Because it was a small class, we also ventured into the business side
of things, and we talked about things like accepting credit cards.
Apparently some craft councils can get you a discount on credit card
fees if you go with their bank, etc.

One of the oddest things that came up is that it has been proven that
when most people enter a store, they automatically turn to the right
(try to notice next time you go shopping :-D)

Our first sale is on November 4th...not much time left!

Best,
Christine

Yes, I do that all the time! Guess it blows that theory though doesn't
it?

You read from right to left? Oh, maybe you mean your other right? LOL

I used to, I have not for a number of years. I tried a lot of different
price level shows because I wanted to see if it effected the results I
was having. So far the internet works best for me. I do miss setting up
a display though, that was fun . Craftsmaster News is or was a
magazine that published the local shows, most I tried were from there.
I had very mixed results but had better results from shops and gallery
consignment or wholesale and the net. I am not the most outgoing person
though so it might just be me ;-).

Ingrid

:-( That's a lot to pay for a spot :-( Defniitely another good point to
add to the pile. Do you do outdoor shows often?

Best,
Christine