What is my display missing?

[Former_Member]

This is my booth for the show I did today. I did pretty good, but I felt that we weren't "drawing people in". I had a basket of candy, things were on levels, and I even put my red velvet theater curtains on the table, but something seems missing.... my guess is that I need some sort of signage behind me on PVC piping or something. I have this front 5' table that you see, and a second table to my right there that is 8' long. The black thing on my back right (my right) is a giant peg board that has hinges that I made. Each half of the board is 2'x2'. I have a better picture, but I haven't uploaded it yet.

So thoughts, ideas, help?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=349808351797893&set=a.347456295366432.1073741825.30565071621...

[Former_Member]

Oh, and I dressed in costume. In case you can't tell.

[Former_Member]

Nicole, I totally agree with you about the pvc banner. My eye was instantly drawn to those big ugly metal door. I know you probably wont be there every time, but i do think your banner would help "incapsulate" (if that makes sense) your eye and bring it back down to your table.

[GlassCat]

I finally did a "pipe and drape" for my booth. It really helps to keep eyes from wandering to the next booth. Also, just think how distracting it would be if your booth was back to back with another that did not have a backdrop.

We constructed ours out of PVC pipe and I used some fairly inexpensive drapes from K-Mart or Wal-Mark to hang on the piping. I'll see if I can find a pic of it.

[khmetalwork]

I can't see anything that you were selling, I see lots of 'stuff' on the table, but can't see any one thing. Plus, my eye goes right thru the necklace display. Showcase your work; put up a back drop up, if a show will not allow that, figure out a way to stop the eye from going thru your displays.

Also, was this your market/target customers? The shopper does not look like she 'fits' into your aesthetic.

[Former_Member]

I really like the red velvet curtains on the tables - they add color and texture to all the black. I think definitely putting something behind you like suggested above. Maybe draping with more red velvet or a sheer dark red color.

And sometimes the amount of stuff you sell has nothing to do with your display. It has more to do with the types of shoppers, the weather outside either encouraging people to shop or not to shop, etc. There are so many factors.
I had an indoor show at a high school this past Saturday. I have done the show 3 times before and this was the best I have ever done - I hit my 10x booth fee goal. And the only thing different was that I had worked really hard to have a lot of purses made - about 20 of each style. In the past I had tried to have 12-15 of each style.

[Former_Member]

Sure looks like you ahave really been working hard on your display Nicole. I love your table linens. They look hip and elegant at the same time.
I agree with you about signage or a back drop to stop the eye at your space.
What about adding a few more display items to place your jewelry on? What about a vintage jewlery case that opens up and you place some of your work in it? I see pieces like that at the flea markets all the time.
You are on the right track for sure. Your booth is looking good.

[HipViolet]

I love your tablecloths! But I agree with khmetalworks - it's really hard to see what you actually sell - it all gets lost!

Since you do have such a nifty "theme" to your shop and jewelry, I would definitely play that up. I think the vintage jewelry case that Carol mentioned would be a great idea - especially lined with more red or black velvet.

I also really think that jewelry sellers need to get some professional pictures taken of their work and blow the photos up huge and hang them in your booth. That way if someone walks by and glances, they are going to see the photo and see what great items you have. Little pieces of jewelry can often get lost or glanced right over when someone has lots of booths they are seeing.

Best of luck!
jesi

[khmetalwork]

Liz from lizannnecessities says

And sometimes the amount of stuff you sell has nothing to do with your display.
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yep - exactly.

there is a woman that is usually directly across from me at one show - she sells necklaces for $40 - that is all she has - $40 necklaces. No displays - everything is laying flat on her table which looks to be covered with a bedsheet. She sells 100+ at every show. Her items are not amazing and I often wonder when customers get home do they wonder...I bought what?!

She is amazing, she is gives off warmth, kindness, acceptance...it's like you're under some magic spell when you're at her table. She made me realize that *we* are the best thing in our booths.

[Former_Member]

So pretty! What if you incorporated some "props"? Maybe a fringed lamp or other time period pieces that are not for sale but adds to the levels you already have and also adds texture. Since you items are all pretty small, it might help balance it out if you had some large (er) pieces. Just a thoughgt.

Great job though!

[Former_Member]

khmetalwork, the "customer" in the picture is my step mom, haha. No, she is not my target audience, hahaha.

These are all great suggestions! Yeah, I think I need some sort of backdrop. Those curtains would look great hanging behind the booth. I know because I also have these hanging in my living room! A vintage jewelry box would look good as well. I also think I need a less "plastic" earring spinner. Maybe paint that one black or get a metal one.

If anybody else has any suggestions, let me know!

[Former_Member]

My next major event is Comicpalooza, where everybody has the same size table all in a big row, so I need to stand out!

[GlassyGrace]

Lights. I've been selling jewelry for 16 years at shows. The more lights I have, the more jewelry I sell.. Without spending too much money, you can add a couple of clip on lights. Attach to the black pegboard, one on each side, spotlighting a collection of items on the table. I have small black ones that I got at Staples that have 25watt bulbs in them. They are barely noticeable when clipped on to something, but they throw off enough light to highlight some items. I Also have 5 large clipon lights that I bought at Bed/Bath/Beyond. Very nice looking ones that I clip on to my shutters. I also have those telescoping small hallogen spotlights that I clip up high because they get very hot. Which lights I use depends on where I am, but it's good to have a few in your box with a couple 25ft extention cords. Sorry if I'm rambling. Point is, the brighter your table is, the more people will walk over. A nice pedestal mirror in the center would be nice also.

When I do a show, I take photos of my booth for reviewing, but I always stand on the other side of the room and look at my booth compared to the ones around me. It's amazing the things that will stand out to you from far away that you don't see when close.

[Former_Member]

I think your spot looks great! I am also fairly new to the craft fair and festivals, but one thing I did learn from trial and error is that you do need to make your jewelry noticeable by getting it up off the table.... some really great ladies helped me to add dimension and varying heights to my booth, and my sales did increase ..... best of luck!!!

[Former_Member]

My first response is actually a question. Are YOU bringing the people in, or are you expecting your display to do all the work for you? This is a question I ask at classes for vendors, so please don't take it personally. What I mean by that question is this;
Are you standing and smiling and starting up a conversation as they pass by or are you busy talking to a friend, or working on your next project?
Are you making eye contact?
Are you dressed to sell?
Maybe you need to stand in front of your display and hand out the candy to make the initial contact.
A great display is always a good selling point but if you arn't there to make the sell it is just another great display in the window, and window shoppers are just that. they dont buy they just look and keep on moving. So all that being said, I hope you don't think I am judging or anything because I don't know you. I just know this is a very common mistake I find many vendors/crafters doing. So I hope this is helpful.

[Former_Member]

Carol:

Well, the problem I had is the vendor next to me had this huge easel sitting diagonally out in the walk way, so when people were walking towards my booth, they couldn't even see it until they were right up on it. So in order to get people's attention, I'd have to scare the crap out of them by jumping from behind that easel, haha. But, yeah, that's me in the picture. I dressed in costume and wore my favorite fascinator hat -- so I'd say I was dressed to get attention. I didn't grab people as they were walking by and drag them into my booth if that's what you mean. I hate when people are pushy towards me when I go to craft fairs, and that makes me avoid that booth, like they're gonna talk my ear off and force me to buy something. I don't really want to be that person. But, of course, I'm friendly to the people that come up.

MaryGrace:

I tried to put lights on my table and you couldn't even tell the lights were on, so it seemed kinda pointless to have them there. Maybe I should get a higher wattage? I thought they were 60 watt, but maybe not. Comicpalooza is indoors, so maybe my lights will work there. Not sure.

[Former_Member]

Oh, and that booth with the easel in the middle of the aisle, also sold personal alarm systems, so every 5-10 minutes, there was this LOUD annoying, ear piercing alarm going off. That usually made people leave my booth because it was too much. And I wanted to chunk those alarms down the stairs by the end of that day, haha. They should have had that booth at the end of the row, not by other booths, just my opinion.

[Former_Member]

That sounds like a nightmare!

[brendascrochetnsuch]

I love the table cloths.

I noticed the steel door behind; but figured you wouldn't be there every time. Maybe have some emergency draping material with velcro on it and more hot glue to glue to door if allowed.

One thing is possibly adding a small mirror so people can try on and see what the jewelry looks like on. Maybe I missed the mirror from the pic.

Just my 2 cents.

[Former_Member]

Crafters Corner Cafe' Desigener Carol Parsons says

"Maybe you need to stand in front of your display and hand out the candy to make the initial contact."
_____________________________

IMO, this is not always a good idea. I've been selling at craft shows for years and attending them even longer. When shopping, if I come across a booth where the seller is standing out front, I don't even bother stopping to look. And, I know many other shoppers are like me. I want to look at what you have without feeling that you're about to pounce on me. This has happened to me enough times forcing me to bypass these booths. Thankfully, not too many do it anymore.

I stay behind my "main" table. If I happen to make eye contact with a shopper I smile and say good morning or whatever. Then I leave them to shop. I want them to feel comfortable looking through my booth. They know where I am if they have questions . . . and I DO keep an eye on them (without being obvious about it) so that I can tell by their body language that they need me. There's nothing I hate more than a seller who, unasked, launches into explanations about everything in their shop. If I have a question, I will ask. Otherwise, leave me alone. I know what I like and what I don't like and NO amount of salesmanship on the sellers part will get me to buy something I don't already want. So, I tend to treat my shoppers the same way I want to be treated . . . a polite good morning, then let 'em shop.

[SecretGardenNotes]

I agree with a lot of the suggestions here. When I go to an art festival what pulls me in is a "cohesive" looking booth. Your booth has some great elements like the red velvet tablecloth, I would expand on that. You have such a great store name and could do some fabulous branding to really set you apart :)

I really can't see what you are selling very well.. I think large picture frames with material backings do a great job showcasing jewelry as you can't see through the display.

Just a thought, you mentioned that the guy next to you had alarm systems going off every 5-10 minutes. Are you sure this show was a good fit for your jewelry? I ask because I made this mistake when I first moved to a new town. I wasn't familiar with the show or the clientele and my experience was less than stellar. The guy across from me had all these electronic chinese imports. I spent the entire day listening to the barking poodle that ran around in circles and having the bubbles from his bubble machine blowing into my booth, lol!

[Former_Member]

Deb from DellaCreations: Yes, exactly everything you said! I hate pushy sales people. If somebody is standing out front, I walk faster and look away like "oh god, she's gonna try to convince me that I want crap that I don't" I treat people the way I would like to be treated as a shopper, friendly - but not overbearing - but just make sure you're there when they actually do have a question.

And, yeah, I think there needs to be something behind my booth. Even if there isn't something right behind the necklaces, if I had curtains behind the booth, I think that would help the whole cohesive look.

My friend and I just got a giant, ornate picture frame and we want to put our business name in there. That would look good hanging up on a red velvet curtained wall. That sounds cool! Thanks for the idea guys! sorta, haha