Things I've Learned From Doing a Booth/Table

[esavvymom]

Ok. So it seems we are getting into a season of Craft and Vendor fairs again. I've learned tons from reading different threads in here, but thought I'd start a thread where maybe we could share a few things we've learned when we've done booths.

I am finishing up a week-long consignment sale, so I've learned a few things this week:

(1) Don't overdo the display! Too much product seems to scare people off. Most people didn't even look at what I did have out. A few new products, if you have them, and a few key products from your kit or in my case, I used Kid-Friendly products because it was a kid's sale.

(2) If you do a drawing, keep it simple.
I did a Grocery Bag w/2 season's best (Fall/Spring). I offered it to people who seemed more interested in PC or who stopped to look at my booth. I didn't offer it to everyone who walked by. I did offer Recipe cards though to most everyone who walked by. (most people took them)

(3) Have the prize slips in an open container so you can slip them back OUT and make notes about the person you spoke to....
(ie.- kids? Products you discussed? Did you hand her certain items- like a recruiting info packet? Did she express interest in certain items or things about PC? etc. )

(4) This one I learned/realized today- my 'AHA! moment. When you can, try to get the prize drawing slip handed to you directly, and take a look at it! Do it to see what their name is and Thank the person by their first name. I found this allowed me a couple of KEY THINGS: One- I could verify that I could read their name and that I got a phone or email contact, and TWO- I could glance and see if they showed interest in the business opportunity or hosting a show, and could then proceed from there!

*At my booth this week, I wish I had done #4 sooner. I had 8 recruit leads so far (30% of my entries!) and 12 Hosting leads (almost 50%)!!! Had I been looking at the slips, I could have passed out my recruiting information packets on the spot, and then followed up. Now I have to make phone calls to get them the packets and then the 2nd follow up. Would have been so much better.

And (5) - this ties with #4- HAVE YOUR 30-second Commercial READY! Know what you will say to a Recruit Lead or a Host lead! I did #4 and saw one lady wanted to host a show and was a "maybe" as a recruit lead...I fumbled on my words something terrible! I did give her a packet for information (recruiting), and said I'd call her this weekend to follow up. But how terrible I must have looked/sounded. So have what you are going to say ready and know it!


Ok- so anyone else want to share what you have learned from doing booths?

 

[BlessedWifeMommy]

If it is outside, wear sunscrean...

Okay other things...

The meat tenderizer works well as a paperweight and draws peoples attention (I think because it is shiny). I had 20 people at my last booth ask what it was.

Bring Replacement Part order forms.

 

[kaseydee]

Very good tips & go idea to start the thread!

 

[Aunticooks]

great tips, i have my booth this weekend and am stressing out on how much to take. I think i have almost everything i own but will scale back once i get the booth set up. thank goodness i have 2 hours in the morning to do this. and get packets ready now that i know what you went thru.. thanks much
traci

 

[straitfan]

Bring Replacement Part order forms.

Okay, I just realized that I don't know the answer to this....can customers just order their OWN replacement parts? I just do it for them!!

I have a booth on Sat. too (unless the pending blizzard cancels the Fair---8 inches predicted tomorrow!!)

 

[Curlyone]

I always keep a copy of the replacement parts list with me so that I can hand it out to the customer. They can fill out the info and send it off with their payment.

I filled out 2 so far since I became a consultant. The first one, the customer has yet to pay me for and I still have the replacement feet for her a/p/s/c.:thumbdown:

The other one was sent to me directly instead of to my customer. I had to meet up with her to get it to her. I called HO and they said that they would send me a sticker to return it to HO and then I would have to reorder the replacement part for my customer. Way too much of a pain!

So what really happens when others fill out the form? Isn't the item supposed to go to the address listed on the form? I put my consultant number on the form, is that WHY I received the item instead of my customer?

 

[chefann]

Yes, customers can order their own replacement parts. They just have to include a card number on the form when they mail it in.Some tips I've figured out:If you're working an event that is likely to have children attending, fill a QSP with water and some glitter/foil confetti. Kids can play with it while their parents are filling out prize slips/order forms/etc.Make sure your info is on every single piece of paper that leaves your hands. That includes recipe cards.Mini catalogs are a perfectly acceptable handout. If people insist on getting a full-size catalog (and they haven't placed an order), give them an old one from last season, but make sure it's marked as an old version. I give current catalogs only to people who book a show or place an order. My PWS address is on everything, so everyone else can still see the product line. But 95% of the people who ask for a catalog will not order. So don't waste your current ones.If you do have cash and carry items, put price tags on ALL of it. Including individual copies of SBRCs. You can use removable labels (Avery makes them; available at most office supply stores). I use the 30 to a page labels, and use 1/2 label on most items, 1/6 of a label on SBRCs. Using those labels allows you to easily change the prices you have on things, too (if you want to sell them so you don't have to crate them home, for instance).Send a follow-up email to your new contacts within 48 hours. It doesn't have to be long, just a thank you for stopping by, welcome to my newsletter, and mention of the current specials.

 

[jenniwest04]

Cash and Carry items...I did an order just for that...I want to make sure I charge tax since I got charged for that but what about the shipping cost? It's only the $4.25 rate but I only ordered the items for cash and carry...how do you all deal with this?

 

[jenniwest04]

I didn't want to do cash and carry, btw, but it was a requirement for this expo...

 

[chefann]

Cash and Carry items...I did an order just for that...I want to make sure I charge tax since I got charged for that but what about the shipping cost? It's only the $4.25 rate but I only ordered the items for cash and carry...how do you all deal with this?

Most of my cash and carry things are stuff that I earned or got free using host credit on "consultant as host" shows. When I sell them C&C, I round the prices up to cover tax, shipping, etc.

 

[PamperedK]

Fill out the draw slips for the guests. I say this all the time but it makes a HUGE difference in the results I get from the show.

 

[WLMcCoy]

GREAT TIPS!! Thanks for posting!!

 

[princessmeshelle]

If you are working a booth with another consultant, be respectful. Don't steal their customer or butt in. Even if the other consultant gives bad info. After the person leaves you can respectfully ask about the info they gave. It even gives them a valid excuse to conact the person after for follow up.Plus if you correct them infront of the customer, you can end up making one of you look like you don't know what you are doing.

If doing a booth in shifts, don't hang around while it isn't your shift. Unless someone is late to show up after your shift.

 

[Liquid Sky]

Fill out the draw slips for the guests. I say this all the time but it makes a HUGE difference in the results I get from the show.

Do you run across people who get annoyed that you are asking them their information so you can write it down....versus letting them fill in the info?

I could see the value of filling the info out for several reasons: you can read your own handwriting AND when it comes to the questions about hosting/biz info you can hear and work with their yes's and maybe's.

Interesting idea!!! Can you let me know the results you have seen since you have started filling out the info? How do you handle it when more than 1 person wants to fill out a prize slip at the same time?

 

[caraighan]

I have a couple of questions about this.

Do you sit when you've set up a booth at a craft/fair? I find I can't sit!!! I have to keep moving around!!!

Do you eat at your booth?

I guess more or less I'm asking for your opinions.

 

[caraighan]

Fill out the draw slips for the guests. I say this all the time but it makes a HUGE difference in the results I get from the show.

Do you actually have time to do that? I find that it gets really busy!!!

 

[PamperedK]

Do you run across people who get annoyed that you are asking them their information so you can write it down....versus letting them fill in the info?

I could see the value of filling the info out for several reasons: you can read your own handwriting AND when it comes to the questions about hosting/biz info you can hear and work with their yes's and maybe's.

Interesting idea!!! Can you let me know the results you have seen since you have started filling out the info? How do you handle it when more than 1 person wants to fill out a prize slip at the same time?

Never had anyone get annoyed. I've had people say "oh I can do it" and try to grab the form, but I just say I like to fill them out so I can read my handwriting.

It's great because you can hear their answer and follow up. For example if they say no to a cooking show, "is that a not now or a not ever"

If they say yes or maybe "I have a few dates left for April - would you like to pick a date today? No? Is it ok if I call you tomorrow to get you set up?"

OR if someone says yes to the business, you can set up a coffee time right away.

I get a lot more solid leads this way. I book tons of shows at these things, and get lots of recruit leads.

We usually have more than 1 person at a booth. If it's CRAZY busy, we will have draw slips out for those we can't talk to but we prefer to talk to everyone and fill out the draw slip for them.

 

[PamperedK]

I have a couple of questions about this.

Do you sit when you've set up a booth at a craft/fair? I find I can't sit!!! I have to keep moving around!!!

Do you eat at your booth?

I guess more or less I'm asking for your opinions.

We do not sit at all. Only standing. And no eating. But we also have 2 people at each booth so someone can walk away and have a snack, sit down, etc...

it might be different if you're by yourself.

 

[jenniwest04]

I have a couple of questions about this.

Do you sit when you've set up a booth at a craft/fair? I find I can't sit!!! I have to keep moving around!!!

Do you eat at your booth?

I guess more or less I'm asking for your opinions.

I think you are good w/ not sitting! At sanctioned college fairs, we are not allowed to go around the tables because it's considered "unfair" that we are making a personal connection w/ the student (weird, I know! And we can't give them any "free" stuff like pencils, etc). BUT a craft show/expo is not sanctioned and you WANT to make that personal connection to the person. I try to stay around the front of the table--not like I'm ready to pounce! Just so that I'm ready to assist with their needs, introduce myself. Like a server, LOL (which I also do as a job!). I have eaten at a booth, but only during REALLY slow times--a girl's gotta eat ;-) My booth tomorrow is 10 - 4 and I have a show at 6:30 that's over an hour drive away! I'm eating. Granted, these are just my opinions, lol, and I always do booths alone since my cluster is about 45 minutes north of me. My mom or sister is always my backup/helper at these things.

 

[caraighan]

We do not sit at all. Only standing. And no eating. But we also have 2 people at each booth so someone can walk away and have a snack, sit down, etc...

it might be different if you're by yourself.

have you ever done a booth with another consultant and the other consultant is ALWAYS sitting down!

Last time I felt guilty because I had a lot of leads and she didn't. But, then I was always standing and she was always sitting! I talked to everyone because I was standing. And to beat it all, the chair where she was sitting was at the back of the booth behind the back table!

 

[PamperedK]

have you ever done a booth with another consultant and the other consultant is ALWAYS sitting down!

Last time I felt guilty because I had a lot of leads and she didn't. But, then I was always standing and she was always sitting! I talked to everyone because I was standing. And to beat it all, the chair where she was sitting was at the back of the booth behind the back table!

No I haven't but when I do a booth I take out all the chairs! If she was sitting and you were standing and being proactive, then it's her loss. Sounds like you did a great job.

 

[chefann]

I usually end up using a chair for my paperwork - so I can grab it easily but it's not on the table (too many people will take one of everything on the table whether they're supposed to or not). If there's down time with no customers around, I'll sit for a minute. As for food, it depends on the type of event and the crowds. I've worked multi-day events with another consultant - we've each taken a "break" to eat at the food area. But at other multi-day events there hasn't been a separate area, so we end up eating in the booth as discreetly as possible. If it's a short event though, I'll take something that I can neatly snack on during lulls, like protein bars or crackers.

 

[pcchefjane]

have you ever done a booth with another consultant and the other consultant is ALWAYS sitting down!

Last time I felt guilty because I had a lot of leads and she didn't. But, then I was always standing and she was always sitting! I talked to everyone because I was standing. And to beat it all, the chair where she was sitting was at the back of the booth behind the back table!

If the person is sitting, that is their own fault if they get no leads! I find that being on my feet the whole time makes me more approachable. I've worked a booth where all the other vendors sat down but me and people tended to just walk by everyone quickly because they felt no one was interested in talking to them. Even if I am restricted to one table and can't do the usual "U-shaped set-up", I am always in front on my booth, handing out the recipe cards!

 

[etteluap70PC]

I try not to sit but after 6 hrs I get tired. I have a folding stool I like to bring. It is not as obvious that I am sitting.

 

[raebates]

If you're working an event that is likely to have children attending, fill a QSP with water and some glitter/foil confetti. Kids can play with it while their parents are filling out prize slips/order forms/etc.

Ann, you're brilliant.

 

[esavvymom]

Fill out the draw slips for the guests. I say this all the time but it makes a HUGE difference in the results I get from the show.

I think this is a great idea! I wish I had done this more. As I was plugging in the contacts into my P3 and newsletter, I struggled with reading a few.
But I love what you say to folks as you are filling them out :

It's great because you can hear their answer and follow up. For example if they say no to a cooking show, "is that a not now or a not ever"If they say yes or maybe "I have a few dates left for April - would you like to pick a date today? No? Is it ok if I call you tomorrow to get you set up?"OR if someone says yes to the business, you can set up a coffee time right away.

This would have saved me alot of time in follow-up had I known they selected so many "YES" or "MAYBE" boxes on my slips!Sitting/Eating/Drinking:
And I did have a stool (not a chair), and I sat only when it was really slow. Ironically, as the week went on, I was able to stand pretty much the whole time. I would walk around and chat with other vendors now and then when it was slow, versus sitting. Since I was by myselfs, as far as eating, I didn't. I had a bottle of water tucked away. I usually waited until one of the other vendors (there were 4 of us) was around to make sure my stuff didn't walk away, and then I could run to the Food court. I did pack snack bars/grapes- things that were easy to nibble on if I wasn't able to get away.

Today, I actually had to take my two boys (5 and 8) for the couple of hours this morning. I wouldn't normally do that, but it was a Kids' Sale, so seemed to fit. But they wore their PC AProns and chef's hats (the former Kids line), and they handed out over 100 recipes in 2 hrs! Folks would smile and gladly take the recipe cards and chat with me or them, and say "How CUTE!" I'm not recommending it, but I was able to make it work for me and they had a ball.

 

[Liquid Sky]

I have also been reading to keep the display simple. Do you think it's best to have 1 - 6' table or 2 - 6' tables as the display?

I have done several booths where there's been 1 or more tables. I felt with the 1 table it was challenging to fit everything on the table. With 2 tables, it is easier....BUT...then it's really easy to over pack and take tons of products!

With a very large vendor event...where there's more than 30 other vendors....I am wondering what would make the booth stand out. Does it look "bad" to have a very simple table to try to promote the biz and ours services when other vendors have their tables full of stuff? What is more eye appealing?

 

[raebates]

Actually, I think simple is especially eye-catching when you're at a large event where people have their areas packed. I like to create visual interest by putting a few things on cooling racks. As for filling out the forms for people, I often have 3 or 4 people filling out forms at the same time. I can't imagine them waiting for me to finish with the others before moving on to them. I did start having people hand their slips to me instead of stuffing them into a box themselves. That allows me to make a quick note, ask for clarification (not now or not ever?), and make sure they're complete.

 

[janezapchef]

The QSP idea works great! I also have used pencil top erasers with water in there, and that REALLY brings them in! (I used them b/c I only had time to stop at Office Max before one booth, and they didn't have glitter. It ended up being awesome! Very good conversation starter and MUCH easier to clean!)

As for cash and carry... I got this idea at NC a few years ago, and it has worked great. When it is my own booth (meaning not lots of consultants stuff pooled together to set it up, like for a multi-day thing) and all my products in it, this works. If someone asks if they can buy something, I say they can either order it or buy the one on the display. I warn them that the ones on display are used, but they are welcome to check it out and make sure it is only gently used. And, I inform them that the warranty will not be valid on it. Believe it or not, people DO buy quite a bit like this! I've been flat-out shocked! So, when the thing is over and I'm placing my orders from the booth as a catalog show, I just order whatever was sold from my stuff and replace my own. I know it seems crazy, but some people are just cash and carry people and will buy it only if it's available that way, even if it is used! I also typically have mini-serving spatulas, apple wedgers and Season's Bests for people to buy.

 

[whiteyteresa]

I have been working on this idea for a while now - I hope that I can explain it ok

This is not for a couple of hour’s setup but for a couple of day’s setup

I have a set of cabinets - about 4ft I think – I would put a piece of counter top on it with a insert into it for a small tabletop burner (so this would look like a stove top – I would be able to display the cookware as if it was on a stove – I might even be able to do a small demonstration if I have electric ) Someone gave me a small sink (one that they call a bar sink) I would then have a half round circle attached to the back of it with a hinge (for easy travel - down for transport and up for display) and on top of this I would put my SA dinnerware. I would also think about taking 2 bar stools with me to set around the table.
(This cabinet would have industrial wheels on it and a toe kick to hide the wheels for easy moving it.)

Just some added notes.

I would place this cabinet in and up front as possible. I would also take a piece of linoleum (8x10 the size of the booth at least that is what my usually is) With the cabinet on top of this it would look like a kitchen. I would still have a 5 – 6ft table with products of it in the back of the booth. I have 2 small tables (1 ½ X 2 ½ ft) one for Recruiting and one for signing up for door prizes.

I know this sounds like a lot but I have my totes set up in a way that I knew what goes where and so does whoever helps me. My recruiting stuff is in one tote and I labels my totes 1 -2 -3 -4 and that is how they go up on the table. Some totes are very small. I have a tote for my door prize drawing table also.

I will also pack some things in the cabinet now.

Before the cabinet thingy – I was able to set up less than 15 minutes – now it might take me about 30 minutes.

I want my booth to stand out from everyone else’s. So a little extra work for people to say “LOOK AT THAT” I will go a little further

Please feel free to say that I am crazy for doing this because I have have already heard it many of times

One added note - I started with this idea because at our home show in my hometown as I walked around, I noticed how other companies (nothing to do with direct sales) was setting theirs booths up - to look like their own business so I thought (I know I shouldn't do that but any way) why shouldn't I do that, to make it look like a kitchen with dining. So that is how the idea got started.

:chef: