I do vendor events and work booths as a great way to meet new people and expand my network of customers. During the holidays, I find myself working more than usual. I often have more names of new customers and hostesses to call then I can personally get through.
However, last Saturday I found myself freezing in a warehouse with just one sale and two names! I was not happy about the lost time with my family, but all I can do is learn from what happened.
What makes a good vendor event? Often times, we can get an idea on whether or not working a booth is worth your time. However, sometimes what appears to be a great opportunity is a waste of time and money.
What went wrong for me Saturday? I worked the same booth last year and did OK (not great). I thought I’d do better this year now that I had introduced my product to the town. I was wrong. As I sat there chattering in the back of a warehouse trying to smile as everyone walked by, I found myself getting frustrated. Not only were they not buying, no one was even looking!
When I looked at the booths that were doing well, one woman had a colorful display full of hand-made items. Her products included signs, gift baskets made in decorated paint cans, Santa soup cans and hand made magnets. Her products were very well made and original.
The Pampered Chef and Home Interiors booths all had the same issues I did, though Watkins did well.
The lady across from me sold potato cookers and neck warmers. She caught everyone’s attention by throwing the neck warmer made of cherry pits at everyone.
This year I even had 2 booth spaces, one for my toys and the other for Power Pops. Even my sign “Eat Candy, Lose Weight” did not make potential customers stop in their tracks and normally I at least get a “yeah right!”
Basically, I think it must have been that my booths didn’t fit in with the craft theme.
When looking at a vendor event, find out what the foot traffic is like. Be sure to also ask if it is more crafters or home based businesses. This can make a difference in your success. Often times shoppers are on a mission, and if you are not in their target scope, you’ll get passed by.
Do not forget to note the location. Is the place easy to find and comfortable? If you are cold, how do you think the customers will feel about shopping? Comfort is very important.
Publicity will make a huge difference in the turnout. Always ask how they are getting the word out.
Finally, look at the cost. Depending on your city, you may pay from $15 to $1000 for a space. At least the cold warehouse was not very expensive. I wonder if I would have gotten a heated space had I paid more?
Here is to learning from our brrring experiences!