Ok, so now that the gun show (and my first booth) are 3 days away.... I'm mildly freaking out lol Did I make enough so I don't run out... will I even sell anything... will I forget to wear pants... 

 

I know I will always see flaws in my work that no one else would notice unless they were nitpicking or I told them they were there... but I'm suddenly feeling nervous about the whole thing lol Nevermind being in a room with HUNDREDS of people moving around (I think its well beyond a couple thousand expected for the whole event)... because I adore crowds (i know it won't be as bad because there will be a physical barrier between us). Anyway... I know my brain is over-driving about nothing... 

 

Anyone else who has done events felt the same way?

Hope you have better luck than I did at my first (and only) craft show. Sold one garden dibble. I didn't run out of anything.

Hope you have a very successful first show!!

Good luck with it. I wish there were shows around here too, but then I remember that I don’t like crowds too much 😂. So, I sell what I make online or to individuals that come to me. 

3 hours ago, MaDeuce said:

Did I make enough so I don't run out... will I even sell anything... will I forget to wear pants... 

Good news is, by the end of the day you'll have answers to all those questions...well except maybe the last one, someone will probably tell you early on about that...likely violates some of the fine print in your contract.

 

You'll be fine...make sure you have plenty of business cards available for people to take...if you run out of product or cards that's a good thing...if you don't sell anything while at the show, don't be surprised when you start getting calls.

 

Make up a ring binder book with color pictures of your work in clear sheet covers. This will be especially useful when you sell out your inventory. If you have a tablet or laptop and WIFI available either project or have your You-tube product video running a loop for people to stop and watch.

 

As for dealing with the large crowds, imagine all of them w/o their pants onthat'll take the edge off.

Last, you've experienced far worse and more critical situations than you'll ever encounter at these shows "Doc." You're gonna' be just fine...

 

One last thing, check the mirror one last time before you leave home...just in case.

If it is your first show go at it as a learning experience.  You will win some and lose some and learn for the next one.  Best of luck to you.

1 hour ago, Grandpadave52 said:

You'll be fine...make sure you have plenty of business cards available for people to take...if you run out of product or cards that's a good thing...if you don't sell anything while at the show, don't be surprised when you start getting calls.

 

Make up a ring binder book with color pictures of your work in clear sheet covers. This will be especially useful when you sell out your inventory. If you have a tablet or laptop and WIFI available either project or have your You-tube product video running a loop for people to stop and watch.

 

One last thing, check the mirror one last time before you leave home...just in case.

Already had 500 business cards printed, have the pictures taken to make a binder of product pictures (still need to print them... have a few more pictures to take first). I have one of hubby's old digital photo frames that I will have pictures playing through continuously and contemplating where I can fit a small monitor to play my video on loop without having my MacBook out in the open. 

 

I'll make a note to check the mirror so I don't violate my contract

 

5 hours ago, MaDeuce said:

will I forget to wear pants... 

Well, sexy does help.  For example, all the scantly clad Snap On tool calendars that used to be very popular.  

 

I'm just saying......

Good luck Doc.  Please take a pic of your booth for us.  We might then be able to offer up some suggestions for your next one.

One word of advise that has stuck with me as a response to people looking over your wares, and I do not remember who or where I read it, but:

When someone might point out a flaw, your response should be - you cannot expect perfection, it is handmade.

When someone exclaims it is so perfect, your response should be - it should be, it is handmade!

 

Good luck again, we are all pulling for you.

Don’t sweat the small stuff and aim for one goal.  Pay your booth rent.  I’ve had great shows and a few not so good.  It all depends on the buying public. They can be fickle.  Relax, meet some people and have fun.  I just finished building a fireplace mantle for a lady that I met at a show last summer.  She didn’t buy a thing at the show.  

Good luck MaDeuce,

There are not many shows in my area, and the ones there are charge way to much to participate. One show has a $500.00 attendance fee. 

However the attendance at these shows has dwindled due to the low turnout of participants.

Maybe the sponsors will figure this out,..but then again probably not. 

Don't worry, Ma. You'll do great.

Deep breath, now!

 

Just go and have fun, meet new people, be seen.

 

There are many times that I've gone to these shows with an agenda. I, usually, have a mental list of what I'm looking for. However, there are many times I have picked up a business card at a booth. I may not want the product then and there, but that doesn't mean I won't in the future. You will be surprised at the number of calls you may get afterwards.

 

Remember, the best advertising is word of mouth. You'll be getting calls from people who saw your products and told a friend, relative, neighbor and gave them your contact info.

 

Anyway, best of luck, Ma

21 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Well, sexy does help.  For example, all the scantly clad Snap On tool calendars that used to be very popular.  

 

I'm just saying......

ROFLMAO!!!! Pretty sure I wouldn't qualify for the calendar 

13 hours ago, Larry Buskirk said:

Good luck MaDeuce,

There are not many shows in my area, and the ones there are charge way to much to participate. One show has a $500.00 attendance fee. 

However the attendance at these shows has dwindled due to the low turnout of participants.

Maybe the sponsors will figure this out,..but then again probably not. 

Thankfully... this is run by a company who hosts gun shows all over the south east. The table space rental (8'x6') was very reasonably priced. A full booth (10'x10') was a bit pricier and very limited in number. Depending on how this goes, I may go for a booth or get 2 tables next time. They have 4 more planned her in Memphis this year.

Other than a couple of last minute ("ehh... I'll use the scraps and throw this together") stuff, I THINK I have everything for the show... Tomorrow is the "make sure I have all my crap" day and Friday is set up day. Ugh! lol Someone put my brain into low gear please... before I lose my mind 

1 hour ago, MaDeuce said:

before I lose my mind

Everything's good.   You still got one to lose. 

18 hours ago, p_toad said:

Everything's good.   You still got one to lose. 

And one to make.... after this weekend lol

As others have already stated, you may sell out or not sell anything at all.  I know. I am full of encouragement.  A couple of things I would do.  Take a picture of your booth before you leave so you know exactly what is there.  If anything is different the next morning, you will know by comparing pictures of what you photograph the following morning.  Yea, sometimes, it happens.  The only other thing I would do is have an order form to learn who the customer is, how to contact before the next show so they can come and pick up what they desire.  Otherwise, you have it covered if you keep your pants on.