Tips on selling at a show!!

I used to do shows a lot - both large and small and can share some tips I learned along the way..and popped into my mind today as I was setting up everything up in my living room.

 Saturday I have been offered to share a booth so my space is very limited... I ALWAYS  set things up in advance.. Once you're there you can't just run home or make changes easily.  Setting it all up in advance lets you view your area as a customer will and allows you to make profitable use of every inch... My table it 18"x 48"...not very big at all.

Think levels and elevate to make your display more interesting.  When you can't spread out spread UP!!!  Clearly sign every thing with easy-to-read type.. This is a ONE-day show so I want all details covered.

First you want to get their attention...  Start with yourself... I always wear a fun  hat and something bright and colorful (with pockets). It's important the hat has a small brim so your eyes and face are clearly visible... Bring a stool rather than a chair as it not only provides a place for you to be off your feet but it puts you close to eye level which is very important...Trying to maintain eye contact is difficult when people have to look down at you.... Have something interesting to do when it is slow... people always want to see what you are doing.  I will bring CQ Saturday but used to bring something small  to paint...which I would do if it were a longer show... and most important SMILE A LOT!!!

This time I am hanging a CQ block to get attention and hopefully some new stitchers for our Wednesday workshops....  I used this also because it has my painted buttons on it also....LOOK busy and interesting even if you're not.

Offer some little thing really cheap...  I used to buy these mushroom hummers and feather butterflies by the gross and have lots left in the barn... It lets customers walk away happy and those $1 add up. AND people stopped and they might come back and they will remember you. When one person is stopped at your table/booth invariably someone else notices and stops also..It is a chain reaction... So even if the first person is not buying and just chatting the person who stops next to check it out might buy...

Things for displaying wares are always on my list of things to look for (cheap)...  This little item was at the dollar store and sold to display Christmas cards.  I bought 5 and they are just super....

I found this at a thrift store but they are relatively inexpensive new online. The nice thing about this is that it swivels which maximizes your display space. It allows a lot of merchandise to be out without taking up extra space also..

Here is another tall item I rigged up with a piece of 4x4 on a lazy-susan type hardware which allows it to swivel also...  I have the washers glued to it because I used it to display and sell magnets.  Today I will take the washers off and put little nails in to hang buttons cards on. These revolving kinds of hardware come in all sizes and are easy to attach to anything you want to swivel.

This tall affair is actually a rack for drying laundry and I found it at a thrift store...  It has become one of my favorite items to take as it is so versatile and takes up very little space... Plus it puts things at eye level.. So keep an eye out for items you can repurpose...

When you are choosing containers to pack your wares choose things that are attractive for display also....such as this basket.  It serves double duty..















I will expand this post later when I have more time but just a few final thoughts...
1. I want people to remember me and what I sell and associate the two... so my logo and my picture are on everything...
2.  Keep your business cards out in plain sight and keep a small tablet and pencil handy for people to leave their phone number etc. for you.
3.  Have bags for people to use....
4.  Change: For years and years I have always started the day with  one $20, ten $5s,  thirty $1s and a roll of  quarters.  I price everything evenly or by the  1/4 dollar.
5.  I will talk more about tools etc later but I do have a funky little hammer that the handle unscrews and little screwdriver are in it..  It has saved me more time than I can even remember... Also take tape...all kinds...
 6. Finally you must think security... My small buttons are on LARGE cards just for that reason... Losing a thing or two is a fact of life but don't make it to easy for a thief to slip your wares into a pocket or bag.