Home Based Business Expo - What to Bring?

[chefmelody]

I'm doing a table at a Home Based Business Expo tomorrow, and I'm somewhat at a loss of what to bring to display at the table. I know I'm bringing catalogs and lots of opportunity brochures/DVDs/etc, but should I bring products? Maybe everything you get in your starter kit? I don't knoooow! Also, what should I do for drawing slips? I want to get information from people, but they're not coming to win things or do a show, they're looking for job opportunities. What should I offer in a drawing?

 

[jbdowd0798]

Bring everything that is in a starter kit, so they know exactly what they are getting. Plus maybe a small bowl of candy-chocolates are good. Also, have them fill out the slips you would have guests fill out. It has the opportunity on it to check, plus tell them about the kit credit when they host a show. A two for one maybe. If they are interested in joining, you could always offer a 'free' show or make their show their first when they sign.

 

[chefmelody]

Yes, but how to entice them to fill out the slips? Usually people won't fill anything out unless there's some sort of incentive.

 

[quiverfull7]

How about a free prosuct drawing combined with a Free Show drawing?

 

[jbdowd0798]

Free recipes, information, etc. A drawing, even for something $10 and under (don't tell them that part) is a great way to get people to give their info, no matter what. FREE is key at a fair, business expo, or job fair! ha ha Everyone loves free!

 

[chefmelody]

Ugh, that was a complete waste of time and $250. We maybe had 6 people come in the whole day. I only got 5 contact slips, two of which were from other vendors. I'm going to call all the ones I got, of course, and it was nice to network (I have a couple possible shows from other vendors), but really. I could have used that money in much better ways.

 

[CookingwithMary]

I'd ask for at least a partial refund of my registration fee.6 attendees? Something is seriously wrong!

 

[jbachen]

I'd ask for at least a partial refund of my registration fee.

6 attendees? Something is seriously wrong!

I agree - I recently did a bridal fair where only 4 people showed up all day! And that was 2 couples! The organizer offered that we could do her next show for free, and we responded with, so we can waste another entire day, no thanks! But I would think there was some serious LACK of advertising, and they should give you something back... Whether it be a refund or a chance to do another of their fairs for free (hoping they learned from this one.)

 

[pamperedcheermom]

My partner and I did a booth yesterday and all the vendors (a total of 5) were set up outside. Inside was a children's consignment sale that had been going on since Friday. We were there on the 50% markdown day so we were hoping it would go good. People going into the sale had to walk right past our table to get in but they would look the other way or walk with their heads down. We talked to maybe 3 people about PC the whole day, no bookings, no sales, no drawing slips filled out.......big waste of time. But we never know with these booths. This was the second time we've done a booth with other vendors at a consignment sale and both times were a flop. At least now we know not to do them when something else is going on. People were there with kids were there to buy clothes..........not PC (or any other products that were on display from other vendors).

So don't feel like the lone ranger. We've been there done that several times too.