Is this too risky?

[#1]

Hi all,

I'm back for more advice! I have a take-it-or-leave-it decision to make about an upcoming show.

The organizer wants to include me, but basically all her slots are filled. So, she has said that if I'm interested, I can have a small space that adjoins the larger hall where all the other exhibitors are. I'd have the whole little room to myself, more than 3m to do what I like with, however, visitors would have to walk in there- it joins onto the main hall just through a doorway, up 2 steps.

Have any of you got experience with being in a spot that isn't immediately accessible to passersby? Can you advise me if this is worth trying, or an almost certain waste of my day?

I thought I'd ask for a reduction on the booth fee, though I don't know if the organizer will agree to that. I also thought perhaps I can hang my banner above the door, to make it really obvious to people that I'm in there- and the people who would just glance in from the doorway and say,'Oh, it's just jewelry' and walk away aren't my customers anyway, so it doesn't matter if they don't actually walk by my table. People who might buy are those that would glance and say, 'Oh, jewelry,' and come in to look.

Am I just being too optimistic in that way of thinking??

ETA: This would almost certainly be my last show of the year, hence why I don't want to give up on the idea too quickly...

[FayeValentineJewelry]

So here's the results, for any of you who are interested!

It went fabulously well! I brought a couple of printed out signs to fix to the walls, but they were unecessary as the organizer had printed out two big ones and fixed them up for me, bless her.

The stage spotlights weren't working, unfortunately, but with the regular ceiling lights and my three little spots, I was fine.

Attendance about doubled what they'd projected, and they were shoppers, not just browsers, it was amazing. I'd estimate that about 80-85% of the visitors made the effort to come up to the stage to see my table, which was much better than what I'd been preparing myself for.

Sales were just great, I almost doubled my previous show sales record- I was just blown away by what a great day it was. I've never had so many people at my table at once, and it stayed that way for hours!

I think the key points were, that it was a reasonably well-publicized event, that the organizer had been careful to pick a specific theme and then select participants around that, with good variety, and for me, I think I was just visible enough and that people really were there to buy (which is something none of us can control, but great when it happens).

Oh, I also prepared by plumping up and pimping out my new kids section- I bought a pink cloth for it, made a few new little displays in eye-catching colours and put that section at the end closest to the edge of the stage, with one of my spotlights on it. I think that paid off, as the colours caught people's interest, and it was often the section people went to first on my table, even if they bought from a different section in the end.

[stringnstone]

congratulations, Katy.... wish we had like buttons...I would use it here.

[AllisonGlickCeramics]

Katy,

So glad you posted and that you such success.

I think the big difference in your situation was that the promoter was upfront with you and that checked out the situation for yourself.

I'm guessing most of the bad experiences happen when we show up and end up in a bad spot and there's nothing that can be done about it.

Congrats!

[ImLaughingMyGlassOff]

Yay. I need to hear happy stories this week!

[CoquetteBath]

thanks for posting about the show success!

I was 'with' everyone else when you said 'a little room by yourself' but as soon as you said 'stage' and 'elevated' I would have tripped over my feet to get that space for myself!

Everyone could see you! You weren't buried in the crowd.

NOW, FAST, make sure the organizer knows you want that to be YOUR space from this time forward. Claim it.

I did that with a show I do every year. One of my best shows, always, 4 digits the first day, easily.

I took a space that 'no one' wanted because it was long and skinny. Like 20' long and 5 feet deep. No one wanted it? OMG, are you serious? I'm in heaven!

I have lots of items, and I have 20' of frontage to show them off. I have 5' (actually probably closer to 6') so my tables fit, I have room to move. I have room for a chair or two, and a side table and...everything.

bliss.

those 'odd spaces' are often the best. And in this one, I'm right outside the cafeteria, when people come down steps from the first main level, and across from the bathrooms.

you can't get any better than that.

[ByTheBayBeads]

Yay! I am so happy for you! Glad it worked out well.

[FayeValentineJewelry]

Wow, thanks everyone, I'm honestly touched that you guys are interested to know how it went for me :) It's great to feel rooted for!

I've made it very clear to the organizer that I really want to be involved in the event next year, and any other events she may decide to organize (she's new to event planning, but she seems to have the skills for it!).

Cari, you're right! It was funny, one of the other sellers there joked that she wished she had my spot, and if I had to pay extra for it :P I would definitely tell the organizer that I want that spot again next year, except that she said she's planning to change venue next year to something a little bigger, as it's becoming a bigger event. But I'll be keeping my eye on it, and if it ends up being in the same venue after all, I'll ask for the stage again.

But at least I know she likes me and my jewelry, and I can be sure of being included next year :) It was funny, her aunt and her sister actually became two of my customers!

[FayeValentineJewelry]

Allison and Cheryl- yes, I think you're very right about that. Having seen it beforehand, I could plan much better for how to prepare my display to the best advantage.

I think it's also a little psychological. We've all been there, when you arrive at a show and it's not what you imagined, or your position is not what you'd expected or the lighting isn't great, and it just starts off your day on the wrong foot. It can be hard to overcome that and bring more positive energy and a smile, which I'm sure helps generate sales. When you know in advance that there's a possible challenge, and you've chosen to work with it, you can start off with a better feeling about the situation.

[FunandBaubles]

Yay Katy! Thanks for telling us. I'm so glad!

[Mulchandmore]

So glad you had a great show. Thanks for keeping us posted.

[Former_Member]

Congrats on a great show Katy!

It's really how crazy things can work out sometimes. We just had a similar situation to you. We participated in a large juried craft fair for the 2nd time this year. Last year, we were outside under a pavilion. After the show last year, we walked with the promoter & picked a space in one of the indoor buildings.

For some reason, they moved us to the larger building. I was a bit upset at the time because we gave a deposit last year at the show. But the crazy thing was, it worked out so much better for us this year. We were the only soap & skin care booth in our building, and in the smaller building where we originally were supposed to be, there were 4 soap crafters, so they were competing with each other in a smaller building.

We had a record day in the larger building, breaking $1K in one day for the very first time. So sometimes, things take a turn for the best.

And, like Cari said, make sure you nail down that spot for next year. Tell the promoter that you want that spot every year!