{Day 21} 31 Days of Craft Show Preparation – Booth Tip 1: Smile and Engage with Your Customers

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The next 5 days in the craft show preparation series (originally by Molly) is all about presentation. I did a bit of browsing through Pinterest and found some great ideas. For the next five days I’ll share a tip for crochet specific craft booths.

This is what I’ve learned over the last couple of days researching for this post. I so wish I knew this back when I did my first (and last) 2 shows.

1. Smile and Engage With Your Customers

I know when I go to craft shows or music festivals the place I gravitate to most is the sensually pleasing one. Smells. Colors. Sound. It is the place that is clean and inviting not one filled to the brim with clutter – even handmade clutter.

I like a vendor who engages you in conversation. This is NOT the same as one who is screaming ‘BUY my stuff‘ – these people make me want to run away – kind of like those carnival workers who try to get you to play their game for just .50 cents {smiles}.

I’m talking about conversation. I know you can’t really get to know your customer but you can find out what they are interested in.

What made them stop? Would they be interested in signing up for notifications on new products?

When I shop I like to take my time. I will touch the stuff I’m interested in and most likely ask a question. This is true of me whether I’m at the mall or at a show. I like my space and like when I’m allowed to make the decision to buy on my own.

Service with a Smile

Take a look at this photo by Flickr user sugar-cookie (blogged by Missy ) featuring Michelle of Oceanity on Etsy.   That is an inviting smile. A smile that says “Welcome. Let’s talk”.

An article that is a must read is by Crochet Liberation Front’s own Laurie Wheeler. She talks about engaging with your audience as well as some other great tid bits for craft show peeps. (Why creative people need to rethink sales)

Join me in the 31 Days of Craft Show Preparation by Blogger Molly of http://mollyeleen.wordpress.com. Molly was inspired to do the 31 days challenge when her friends took on the challenge that The Nester hosts each year. (based on the 31 Days to build a better blog by ProBlogger)

 How You Can Participate

1. Visit Molly’s Blog post which has all 31 posts in the series
2. Blog about it. You can do one post for the entire week or one post per day. I’ll be doing one post a day. (31)
3. Chat about it either on the Crochet Business fanpage or the CBB Google+ community .