Categories: Experiences and daily life; Human nature; Commerce and business
Word count/read time: 469 words; 2 minutes
Many people enjoy craft fairs. Personal
encounters are better than sitting behind a screen and clicking away.
People are a captive audience for at least two seconds while they are in
front of a booth plus a few when they are within earshot.
That's enough time to catch their attention.
Not everyone wants - or knows they want - jewelry, clothing, ceramics, or whatever.
A passionate seller can create desire to an extent. This is the make or break moment.
Then there was silence.
People behind the desk - the proprietors, aficionados,
and craftspeople - were too distracted by their mobile devices to pay attention.
Hiding in the corner of their dimly lit display, away they typed while
completely disengaged from the very socializing and opportunities unavailable online.
Not every seller is so withdrawn. Some crafted away
seemingly as inattentive as the tech zombies though
they would usually talk if questioned.
Others sat quietly without electronic distraction, perhaps a book in tow.
At this particular show, only one booth of the 60-ish sellers had a
real presence. It was a one-man wood shop. Standing at attention,
engaging outliers while talking with potential customers, he blended well with the event.
Another fellow had a portable stamping machine for his bracelets and charms.
When I asked about it he covered it like Gollum protecting his
Precious, saying everyone would do it if they knew of this magical tool.
(Hardly rare or magical, most jewelry supply houses have several versions but
it's not what you'd expect to see at such a show.
Not quite as extreme as someone bringing in a seeing eye alpaca
from which they spin yarn and make sweaters, but uncommon.)
It was perhaps one of thousands of events across the USA that holiday weekend.
No matter the place, a decent presentation while acknowledging most people who pass
by is mandatory. There is no reason to believe a booth will work at
a bigger fair if succeeding small-scale isn't possible.
Promoters can be just as bad. I've seen shows with five vendors. Shows that didn't
have signs anywhere for random passersby. Wrong dates and locations
on social media. No listing of (vendors or) item types. No replies to emails.
No contact information. Advertising so bad that even knowing the date, address, and location
yielded no results on internet searches.
Many times I have felt like Pavarotti at a karaoke bar
as I was learning which shows were appripriate.
Showing up with more inventory (as far as retail price goes)
than all vendors combined is not a good show at which to vend.
Trust me, it's not a bragging point!
Worthwhile shows encompass more than gross sales. Once it's over
the income from any contacts and relationships will continue.
Because you never know who you're talking to or who's listening....
Posted by M: November 27, 2017
Please email any thoughts or comments regarding this post.
Comment Section
NOTE: Your comments will be included in this section
as long as they aren't illegal. This section is censor-free so show me
your intelligence or ignorance and everything in between!
|
2024
Jump Ring Stretcher, V2
Micromaille Cutter
Review: Drill Doctor 500
Full of Hot Air
Give Me a Price
What Would Aliens Do?
Hydraulic Jewelry Press
Kumihimo Chains
This Ring Will Fit
Bullion Bracelet
Ode to the Drawplate
Update Those Displays
Fly on the Wall
Greed Won Out
German Silver
Save It for Desert
Toeing the Line
Time for a Redo
USPS Is Broken
Not Enough Space
Jump Ring Stretcher
Nope! That's Not Green
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
|