WAHM Forums

HI!


I would like to know how do you set up your display at craft fairs, bazaars, etc....


I had one on 10/1/2005 and my display was really nice (I had tons of compliments on it)..the products were nicely elevated and it was eye catching. I was nicely dressed...business casual. I did sellmore then I expected but I noticed that a few tables down a lady came in (late no less), dressed in shorts and a bright yellow tshirt, plopped her candles on the table...no tablecloth, no display...NOTHING and she just started selling...and selling ALOT..she didn't even get up out of the chair to speak withthecustomers face to face.... I was kinda shocked by this.


Was this because my display was too nice? I mean I had some people come up to my table and would say you have a beautiful display, and then go down to her and buy. I am thinking it was too nice and made it look either too expensive or people did not want to touch.


So I have a few shows coming up and I am looking at changing my display a bit to make it more inviting to touching and smelling...and would love your suggestions. I am having my hubby make me stairs to elevate the products and to make it easier to touch and smell, but what else can I do to make it more customer friendly?


Thanks : )
DAWN

Hmm Dawn- that IS odd... The only thing I can think of is just as you said- maybe they assumed yours would be more expensive...


I like the idea of the "stairs"- I think I need something like that too.


I`m interested in hearing the other ideas! I have some shows coming up too. :)


Terry

Dawn,


One thing that has worked well for me is have small, tasteful signs to let customers know about special pricing... Like soaps at 3 for $10. I only put out 1 or 2 (I don't want to give the first impression of being a bargain table) but the people that stop and look always see them- and usually buy.


Then, if you have an small area that is clearly for testing, touching and smelling that might help too. I'm sure that once people smell and try your products that is what hooks them.


Jenni (http://www.sparrowsnestonline.com/)

You know, we always hear that we should be out in front of our booths making eye contact talking to people yada yada yada......but as a customer I stay away from booths like that - I feel like I am obligated. So I do go to the booths where people are just sitting behind there table just because I feel more comfortable. I think I can just look and have fun. I don't like to be approached.


I know sitting behind the table it is exactly what we should not do as salespersons, but I wonder if other people are customers like me? (I went to a craft show this weekend that I was not working at and I avoided the tables that were "doing the right thing" and talkingto people outside their booths. I just did not feel like hearing the sales pitch - maybe because I am also a salesperson:????

See I did not stand out in front of my booth. I stayed behind my booth. I did however stand up after they approached my booth to say Hello and have some conversation.I had a lot of pleasant conversations and I had some salesand people would look and not touch or sample. Debra...I too am one of those customers who avoid people who stand out in front of their booths..LOL.


I like the idea of of having a sampling area...never thought about that. Although I did have some of the lids off the candles so people would know they could smell them.


I am going to try a few of those special signs too.


I guess with being in direct sales so long and with Home Interiors being my very first company...I was taught right from the beginning BEAUTIFUL, evelated, and eye catching displays withaccesories such as leaves and flowersto highlight the productsbut I am thinking this is for home parties and not vendor/craft shows.


DAWN


DAWN

I have been doing shows almost every weekend since March so this is whatI have learned - skirt your table to the floor(hides the boxes underneath) Have signs on your table - if the table can be seen from two sides have a sign on each side -Don't push your Biz Op peole are at craft shows , fairs, expos to purchase items - if they want to sell what you are selling they will ask you - My friend sells in the booth next to me - she has hand poured soy candels - her sign I mad for her - it mentions they are Soy and a little jingle - anyway when people approach she tells them the same i tell for my bath an body - feel free to open and smell - then she asks them if they are familiar with soy products and it's benefits - if they are not she tells them and this peeks thier interest - if they are she will ask and what do you think of soy - this allows for coments and most who have tried Soy love them -the she asks if they have a particular senct they usually burn -she has step type display(walmart, spice racks - plastic in the accessories isles, will work till you find something else)for her candles , she also has them in alphabetical order - so she knows exactly where each is - the name is on the front and top labels -we always get booths next to each other to cover for restroom breaks and such -I can sell her candles as good as she can and she can sell my Tupperware, Bath and Body , coffee etc as good as me - know your product be able to answer any and all questions- she has nothing priced an then after she hooks them with the benefits of using soy while opening assorted ones for them to smell - they ask the price she always does 1 for ? and 2 for ?


She sells WAY more of her candles then i do all of mystuff together - funny thing is I was the one going to go into the candles then decided not to and I am the ones who found her her suppliers - I might have picked the wrong Biz LOL


Anyway just some thing I have learned in the past few months-


Tonja

Thanks Tonja....those are some excellent points. I have my prices marked with really neat little hang tags but I am thinking I need to remove those. Hubby is building me steps (I love when he builds me stuff), and I am going to do the signs too.


LOVE the alphabetical order idea...never thought of that.


I appreciate all your tips!!


: )
DAWN

When I go to craft shows there are some sellers that I always see at the shows. A few of them are ones I look for each year. Maybe that other candle lady was one of those regulars that people are used to. It might take some time for you to get to that level. If you know about other shows you'll be at - print up a flyer that shows all the shows. That way people will know you're a real business with staying power.


Ruth

I was just searching for a new article to post on my web site and ran across one that I think applies in many ways to booth sales as well. I've posted it HERE. (http://sparrowsnestonline.com/information.php?info_id=19)


It's just a short article on increasing sales targeted toward store owners...


Jenni (http://sparrowsnestonline.com/)

Jenni


That is a really good article thanx for letting others see !


Tonja

Thanks Ruthe...I didn't even think of that. The only thing is the craft show I did..it was only their second year doing it but it could be people she knew from other craft shows...I honestly didn't think of that.


Thanks for the links Tonja...I am going to print them out.


: )
DAWN

I did not put the link for the article , can't take that credit it was Jenni - it was a good article and I thanked her for posting it


Good Luck with future shows - oh and take pictures of your spaces - sometimes the shows are jurried and they want 2-4 pictures of previous set ups to see if they look nice or not


I have taken pictures of almost every one - have yet to get them developed LOL have been lucky that I have not needed to send one in LOL - but I seem to set up different at every show -because some shows wont allow certain thing I sell so then I have to refigure the displays


But these are fun and you get to network with other vendors and they are a group who shares info on other shows - sometimes it's nice to offer a discount for the other vendors , even if it is just 10% off


Tonja

Sorry about that...Jenni Thanks for the link.


I hand out 20% off coupons to the other vendors at the show. I have 2 more coming up....one that is a big one and the other one is my own, so I guess we see what happens. I have already started refiguring things out. The first thing I did was get rid of those hang tags.


Thanks a bunch everyone!
DAWN