Where do you sit at a show?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Hoyt on April 3, 2010 at 7:04am

I find that tables across the front with you behind them draws a straight line right to the next booth!!!!! You know what I mean?!! They just keep on going.

There are different schools of thought on this.

In my time I think I've done every booth layout imagineable. And I find, for me, the product right out in front works best with me standing and showing how it works.

When I'm at a good show and I get going, I can draw a crowd. And when that crowd is in the aisle, other people will say "What's he got?" And as far as I'm concerned, the more, the merrier! And for me, that's when the real fun begins!

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Permalink Reply by Robin Chard on April 3, 2010 at 9:44am

Well it's funny how important these little things are! The reason I have almost always put the table in the front is because half my sales are from gemstone rings set in silver. I resize the settings from sizes 3 to sizes 11 and have them in trays. I have seen women walk down the center of a craft show, catch a glimpse of my rings and do a hard right (or left). If I put the rings farther back, I wouldn't catch the women who wander by. It's like the rings reel them. I have my tall chair right there behind the straight table and it's not like I have to walk up to people. I'm already there.

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Permalink Reply by geraldine e schmalle on April 3, 2010 at 7:00pm

I have tried various places to sit ( tooooo old to stand around) this is of course up to each but I find that a path to get to me sitting in the middle with room for people to come up and talk. As I have found people love to watch you at your trade I always have a portrait drawing that i can start from the beginning. I spend the 2 days drawing and talking to a great many people answering questions and giving out cards taking info on possible portraits, so this attracts new business as well I makes me approachable (not stand offish) I would like to tell you I thought this up my self but my mother was a high school art teacher with her masters in art educ. my father was a commercial artiest they were emphatic that the airs some artist put on put their potential customers off, its a fact we go to the public and ask for their attention so it helps if we give them an opening to come to us. I hope this helps, best of luck you need that too.

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Permalink Reply by Jackie Russo on April 6, 2010 at 8:27am

I am in the camp of standing rather than sitting but I do have a high directors chair when I have to sit. As far as standing goes I bought about four feet of anti-fatique matting at the hardware store, cut it in half and layer it at the shows, so I'm standing on a double thick pad. I put this at the back of my booth out of the way where I feel comfortable standing. I also stand on one all day in my workshop. It's amazing how this eases back and leg pain.

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Permalink Reply by Karole Bowlds on April 6, 2010 at 2:16pm

I set my tables up in a U shape- 2 6 ft tables along one side and back wall in an L for display , and a small 4 ft table at the other side towards front, for my sales counter. I usually create at a show- I do custom work for some customers- and I also offer to change over earrings to clip or post if the customer prefers. I find that this also draws customers in, and re-assures that my jewelry IS handcrafted. My display tables are on risers- counter height, and this is great for customers. No bending and stooping. All tables are covered to the ground or floor. This hides my sales supplies boxes, bags, spare trays to replenish, lunch cooler etc. my sales table is normal height, as I am usually making jewelry, when not busy with customers. I find that people are less intimidated about browsing if I am occupied. I greet each customer as they enter, and tell them to please ask, if you have any questions. this allows them to browse without hassle, keeps me busy, but interactive, and the customer usually peeks at what I am currently creating, which gets them to open up with questions. Children especially are curious as to how things are created, and I have made several sales that otherwise would not have happened because I was "demonstrating". I do occasionally get up to walk out into the sun, but am usually right in the booth/tent. I have a "to do projects" cart, with tools, supplies for demonstrating, and a 3 drawer, wheeled caddy to hold the sales supplies, which I just wheel back into the studio to replenish when a show is done. This works extremely well. It takes me an hour and a half to set up for an outdoor show-tent and all-by myself.

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Permalink Reply by Tony burns on April 7, 2010 at 9:57am

My thoughts -depends on your approach , if your a people person -in front off to the side in a directors type chair to greet people -if your not a people person or have limited space -behind your cashout in the back or side .It really is a experience thing -not everybodys medium will be the same . My best advice- dont be too agressive -it scares the heck out of timed people !

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Permalink Reply by Walt Bennett on April 13, 2010 at 6:44pm

I've never quite understood those that sit outside their booths on director's chairs and watch folks going by. Usually their in the way of pedestrian traffic or look something like vultures waiting to swoop down. I'm too old and my feet are too bad to be standing for a whole show, so we use director's chairs, but in the back of the booth. They put us up to almost eye level and let us be unobtrusive while people are browsing/looking. I haven't found a stand that I really liked yet (I'm going to check out the Target one someone mentioned), but try keeping things out of sight.

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