There is something about being behind that table at a craft show that can be a little intimidating, especially if you are a little shy, and that is conversing with complete strangers.
If you say the wrong thing shoppers may think you are pushy and be turned off.
If you say nothing they think you aren’t helpful, or not interested, and they may walk away.
What’s a creative business owner to do?
I was behind the table this past weekend at a show and I think I’ve hit upon the right approach.
Questions. Questions not necessarily related to what you are selling. Try these conversation starters:
1. Hi, how are you?
2. I love your sweater, hair, jewelry etc. Be sincere, people can tell when you are making things up.
3. Talk to the kids, ask them what grade they are in etc. The adults will often answer or tell you other things about the child leaving you opportunities to talk to the adults as well.
4. Candy canes (or other candies that aren’t choking hazards) in a basket or bowl on the table. People will ask if they can have one or you can simply offer them one. The trick here is to use a SMALL dish or bowl and only put out a couple of dozen at a time. It keeps people from taking a handful and filling it back up gives you more opportunities for conversation.
5. Is it handmade? (see number 2)
6. What is the best thing you’ve seen at the show so far?
7. Is the sun shining yet? Or other appropriate weather related questions.
8. Where are you from? Did you drive a long way?
9. Do you buy handmade items often?
10. Did you come to the show looking for something in particular?
And finally, be sure to end with “If you need anything, I’m here to help.”
BONUS: If appropriate wear some of your creations or display them in an unexpected way. This will lead to shoppers asking you questions.
Asking generic questions makes you appear interested, friendly and not at all pushy.
What are some other questions you can ask shoppers in order to break the ice?
By: Vicki O’Dell , The Creative Goddess
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do you like this it’seasy to make then show a stitchor 2 of crochet or knittingI teach granny aquares this way. anywhere I am
This last year, I’ve been asked to bring my sewing machine and do demonstrations of my product being made. People who do not sew, are really interested. When my husband is with me, and he’s working
on one of my projects, they ask him if he sews. I usually answer for him, and say, “absolutly!” They
are amazed that a man is sewing. This last weekend we had a show, and he was doing some ripping for
me, when a customer asked this question! I told them our last Christmas show I had my embroidery
machine with us, I had taken it for me to embroidery on, but I was up talking to customers so much
I couldn’t get anything done! So I was teaching him to use my embroidery unit, and people would
stop and ask him questions, and he’d tell them he’s just learning this part of my sewing! They are
so amazed what men can actually do.
They end up asking him more questions about my merchandise than they do me. Then this week we
also took our little dog. He attracted alot of children, which brought in the parents. They all fell
in love with him, and they’d watch him do his tricks, and follow me around.
They were very impressed with my merchandise, and finally sold 3 products. Which was amazing
within itself. As I’ve not had much luck at shows with my product. But people were grabbing business
cards like crazy, inspecting my work, and would comment that they love my merchandise, and I do a
really nice job! I was very proud of myself, of the comments the customers made.
They’d also ask my husband if he works for me, and he answered with, what she can’t do, I do it for her, which gives me some hands on with her merchandise.
He’s starting to enjoy being out in the public, and talking to people, but he told me, that he was impressed with how I deal with the public. He said he never saw me so professional at these shows,
and he’s picking up on that, and following my lead. He’s very shy, but this is bringing him to the
surface of his personality, and it’s helping me!
So out of professional courtesy, bring something with you that attracts customers.
When the flow of people come into our show this weekend, they were coming straight to our table first,
and bypassing the other booths. This has never happened to me before? But I’ve finally done something right. If all goes right, you’ll be extremely tired by the end of your show! If you’re not
tired, better figure out a drawing card for your booth.
It was really funny, we went to eat dinner at a local diner, and I was recognized as the purse lady at
the show! People were talking to me abt my product and not at the show. We’re starting to get
public recognition. That was nicest of all.
WE started given out gife bags to the kids that passed our table. Then we now saling we call them grab bag. They get so exited to see what they got in the the grab bag. We sale them for a $1.00 and they just go nuts over them. We put things in them that doesnt move on there own. We joke and laugh with them and they buy more to get what there friend got.
It is a lot of fun. My daughter is shy also. But, now she shows how to make burlap wreaths and Christmas tree skits and people stop off and watch and they go ahead and buy her weath that she made in front of them. It fun just to talk to everyone. So, I think if you have fun, people see that and they are drawn to you.
Thanks for some good ideas. I have always enjoyed watching the artist doing his/her work right at the booth (if not too cumbersome) so I might try to do something like that when I get a booth. (newcomer)