I know there has been a recent thread on artist etiquette.
Im still wondering how you respond to someone who has looked at all of your art and is leaving and says 'Thankyou' .
'Your welcome' seems .....dull.
What do you say after a thankyou? Some say that you are not supposed to respond, so does that imply that you say NOTHING? That seems....odd!
Also how would you respond to these comments when someone is leaving your booth:
'Very nice'.
"Great job'.
"keep up the good work'.grrrr
"Sure looks like you have fun'.
Replies
I’m getting some great ideas for responses here! I’ve also felt lame just saying, “You’re welcome.” But I certainly don’t want to cross examine patrons by asking questions about their intent. Their ability to purchase is their business. It’s my business to provide something that they want enough to buy, and to make my booth an inviting place in which to do it.
When people ask for a card I say, “I don’t use cards, but here is my show schedule”. Frequently the response is, “That’s even better.” They know they don’t want to order online (and I don’t sell online), they just want a way to find me. My phone and e-mail address are on there. I don’t know how well it works, as only when someone says something, do I know that they came to see me at a show because they had the schedule. The schedule is in the bag I give to customers, plus out on the table to take.
If someone mentions, “I like this one, but I can’t buy right now, “ I make a quick sketch of it on the schedule, with price and materials noted. Only about twice a year does anyone call, and that seldom works out, because the piece they want is gone by the time they have money/have decided they do want it after all. My schedules are pretty primitive compared to most of yours: just laser printed, then cut up. With frequent wait list status I have last minute changes often enough, so can print up new ones as needed.
People do seem surprised that I don’t have a website, I usually say that there isn’t enough of me to go around, to be able to do that too. I direct them to my Facebook business page, but all year I’ve only garnered a few fans (or “likes,” as it’s now called. )
The simple web site is really under-rated. You don't have to do something complicated. A page or two with your contact info and a schedule is easy to keep updated, and it's actually quicker than laser printing schedules and cutting them up. Once the web address is on your handout, you just tell folks: "You can find my schedule here, as well as my contact info..."
I like having blank space on my postcard handouts, too. I'm often sketching or writing down info for people. It can range from the name of a piece or its web address, to something completely unrelated. People appreciate it when you are open and friendly and helpful, regardless of whether it results in a sale for you. It will build your business over time.
That's why I have business cards...to give them out.
Responses to questions:
"Thank you" - "You're welcome to come back anytime"
"Very Nice" - Thank you!
"Great Job" - Thank you!
"Keep up the good work" - This isn't work, it's my FUN job!" (and we all chuckle, heh heh heh)
"Sure looks like you have fun" - Yes, we do! When it stops being fun, we'll stop doing this!
So what's it cost to answer some seemingly silly questions? Not a penny. And sometimes people remember that. "I came back to you, because I really liked that necklace, and you seem like a nice person." Being a cranky pot gets you nothing.
Let me reverse this--
I am leaving your booth, not buying anything, what do you want me to say to you?
It is not my nature to ignore another human being without saying something and I have also spent time in your booth looking at your wonderful work. To walk out and say nothing seems incredibly rude to me but I have now discovered that pretty much anything I say is going to irritate someone.
If my leaving a booth without buying is such a problem. I will be more careful about what booths I go into.
If I sound irritated, I am, a little. Apparently being polite has become bothersome.
Geri, you are right. I usually say "thank you" when leaving another artist's booth just like I would when leaving a shop where I didn't buy. It is a natural inclination to be polite and there is nothing wrong with that. Although it is perfectly OK to say nothing when leaving, "thank you" or "nice work" is just fine.
When I am having a bad show, though, sometimes it feels like the people visiting my booth think that I am just there to stroke my own ego rather than to sell. One woman actually said as she left "you must just love getting all these compliments." Also, a lot of comments seem to have the tone that implies what I am doing is easy and fun, not really work but a hobby. When I am tired, stressed and losing money, that sort of thing is beyond exhausting. When I am selling, I can take it in stride. But I do always try to be polite.
What do I want people to say to me? I don't care as long as they are nice. Being polite is not bothersome. Thank you, nice job, did you make all this yourself, this must be fun, etc. It really doesn't matter. I try not to be offended by any of it. Most people are just trying to be nice. Most people know very little about what it takes to be a full-time artist and when someone asks a question that shows that, I am polite. I just answer the question; however, I usually try to steer the conversation to my work and what they like.
If I am leaving a booth and not buying anything, I will say nice work if the artist is there. Leaving without buying anything is not a problem, but everyone leaving my booth without buying is a problem. My goal is to improve my percentages.
To the initial question, I respond by thanking them for coming in my booth. Then I ask them which one they liked the best. If I can get a conversation going I have a chance.
I assume everyone can afford my work, even some of the pricier ones. I figure it like this. A couple goes to dinner and a movie, dinner includes a couple glasses of wine and dessert. Movies include popcorn and soda. What does that cost for the couple? $80-$100. And lasts what 3-4 hours tops. My paintings start at one dinner and a movie for 2 and mid-sized paintings range from 3-8 nights out. And, my paintings will last as long as they live. So most people at these shows can afford something. They now have to value original art like they value movies, iphones and other things they probably already have. My biggest hurdle is convincing everyone of that. I'm still working on that.
As far as the business card issue, I'll give anyone a card. I keep them on a table towards the back of my booth that anyone can find if they are looking for them. When someone asks me for a card, I gladly hand them one. I gently try to find out their intentions. I usually start by telling them that I have an online store and everything they see is available there as well; but at the shows there is no shipping and therefore I am a little cheaper in person. Sometimes they will say that they want to show a spouse a piece or they just want to look at pictures at home and can't afford to buy at the moment or maybe they are moving in a month and want to wait to purchase. This will give me an opportunity to get them on my email list so I can contact them about future shows when they are ready to buy.
A far as buying cards, I printed 2 different 3"x4" cards butted up against each other on a 4x6 post card. I got 5,000 for $80. Then I sliced them in half to have 2 different card designs. 10,000 total cards for $80.
I hate to have derailed this thread with business card discussion ;-) but some good points. I'm glad to hear I am NOT alone!!
One thing I have learned as someone leaves my booth, especially if they've expressed interest in a certain piece or line....when they get that look in their eye (I NEED TO GET GOING) and say "thank you", I often will grab a business card and write my booth number on it (and sometimes the name of the piece they have been looking at) and say "Thanks for stopping by....here's my booth number and the name of the piece you were looking at. I'll be here until (whenever the show's over) or feel free to give me a call or email me."
Works QUITE often.
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