Hello everyone
I’m James and I’m getting ready to do my first shows as a photographer. I’ve been enjoying reading through the posts on the site, finding all sorts of answers to questions and general advice.
One question I’ve been think about, and haven’t found a post about, is where to put yourself during the show. Do you generally stay inside your booth or stay outside the booth? I’ve seen a lot of booth shots with 3 solid inside walls and nowhere to sit, as well as some set ups where part of the back wall is pushed forward to create a pocket inside the booth. Is this to give the people walking into your booth the space to browse without having the artist right there? If you sit outside your booth were do you generally set up your spot?
Thank you for your responses
James Wales
jameswalesphoto.com
Replies
I said place some article, whether a wall, a bin, or whatever,,,,or what really works for me is, "me". What I occasionally do (with minimal traffic, you can't do it with 20 people entering your tent at the same time) is stand at the left front entrance to my tent as the customer approaches. You must acknowledge their presence by welcoming them and saying whatever is comfortable to you. You do not want to say, "Come in and look around", or "I'm the artist, I make these by.....", or "if you find something you like, let me know". What is better is something that is non-aggrressive like, "Hi guys, how ya doing?".
By my blocking the left front, they are first directed to the right side of my tent and my "4" carvings. They will then travel and view view my "3" carvings on the back wall, and will make their way to the left wall as I am sliding to the right and allowing them an exit. If you block their way, they will feel trapped and will shut down. Of course, my "5" carvings are on the left wall.
Depending on what they lingered on, or what the questions they ask, will depend on how our conversation goes from this point on.
It is all ad-libbed (spelling) and every customer and every situation is different.
I did my 1st outdoor show a couple of weeks ago...10x10 booth with an opening third on the back wall where I had a high chair placed behind my booth where I could see people entering my booth as well as seeing them view my work on an outside wall. I had awnings on the back, side, and front and it worked out quite well when it rained. Agree with the others...placing a chair in the front could be blocking customers from entering your booth. Figure out what works best for you, go for it!
Mike Baker-
www.3rdeyephotographic.com
I would never sit inside the tent. But I might strategically place a chair (or print bin, or wall, or some other piece) in order to direct and control the customer's traffic flow in my tent.
I try to control the way my customers enter and leave my tent. A good example would be grocery stores. They spend millions of dollars with floor designers to make you walk past certain items they are trying to move before you reach that gallon of milk you went in the store to purchase.
I give each of my carvings a mental impact number from one to five prior to hanging. Five being the one I want everyone to see and the last one that is retained in their mind when they leave. When they enter, I want them to see number 4 first (the one that attracted them into the tent), and then as they (or their eyes) travel through the tent, they go from 4 to 2 to 5 last. Number 5 is the "wow" carving, the one they tell their husband about and hopefully come back later to purchase. Number 1's stay in the trailer.
I like that 1-5 approach! I've found customers typically spend a few seconds looking into your booth as they pass by. Therefore, I want to place the 'wow' image (photography) on the back wall that will entice them to either stop in their tracks to view, or entice them into my booth for a closer look. Very cool idea, Larry!
Love this approach, Larry! I don’t have a great display yet - just an EZ up with three simple mesh walls - but I try to position my level 5 “wow” pieces on the the back wall. I don’t want to be sitting back there blocking the view. I have a few smaller, maybe level 4 “wow” pieces up front on the side walls. It’s always great to be up front, too, to hear the comments from the crowd. So many times, I’ve heard remarks about a painting that I personally did not think much of, but which the crowd seems to like. Sometimes it’s hard to know at first what is a level 1!
A high chair - so you're not looking up at your customers - works best. I often sit in my tent. I have a Trimline with a back door and - especially when it's hot - will sit more in the back door area than inside my tent. Sometimes even outside the back wall in the shade when I put my back wall up. It's a mixed curse. Sitting inside blocks some of your art. Sitting in the backdoor means you can't use your backdoor for art (but often provides more air flow. I never sit by the front but sometimes will stand near the front to engage potential customers when they walk by.
If there is a lot of room between you and the booth opposite you, you can position yourself outside the booth and facing it. I just did a show where many of the artists did this. It lets the browsers know you are there if they want to talk or have questions while not hovering.
James, I took some advice from a more veteran artist and got a tall director's chair that I set right at the front corner of my booth. That way, I can be present to greet people and engage them, but I'm not blocking them from viewing my art and they don't feel like I'm pressuring them while they browse. And being in the tall director's chair, I am at eye level with them even if I'm sitting. I keep the chair at the outermost corner of the tent, but still inside (unless there is room enough to bring it out without disrupting traffic or my neighbor). Before that, I had a table in the back of the tent where I sat, and I would wander up front during the show. Once I made the change, noticed an increase in sales and engagement with crowd!
High chair = yes.
Sitting inside, at the front of the booth, not great. It tends to make a perceived wall that customers have to cross. If you must sit within your booth display area, then sitting closer to the back is less formidable to the customer.
All of this is just preference to maximize success. Due to the situations at the show and limitations of our booth designs, we must do whatever we can, to the best of our abilities.
I want to be there, readily for the customers. However, not a line they must cross to see my artwork.
First rule of sales = Attract attention. If this is accomplished from their walking by our booth- Great. We must then encourage them to enter the booth to create desire. A perceived "salesperson" that they must cross to get there is an impediment.
I never want to sit out in front of my booth or be in a location that blocks visitors.
My booth has two 30 inch doors...one on each side of the back wall. Unless we are back-to-back with another tent this gives the ability to sit just outside of the rear of the booth. The awning make sit convenient for shade or rain.
I also have a wood display table placed in front of the rear door that is 16" deep and it is part of my display and additionally provides great storage...especially useful if the show doesn't have storage area behind the booth. I have re-designed my booth display numerous times over the years for maximum space and function for most situations I have encountered.
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