Hi everyone! I'm very new to this forum and am working towards getting into art fairs within the next year. I've enjoyed reading all the great advice I've seen others post and hope that I'm able to contribute as I work towards my goals.
I'm a photographer/artist with a "cubicle" career in internet consulting. The slash is in place because I stray from traditional nature photography into images I alter in post production to evoke different moods. I'm truly a left-brain/right-brain kinda guy. See my site: www.ellenich.com My goal is to leave the cubicle world in pursuit of something more aligned with my creative interests.
What I'm currently working towards is a way to extend my technology experience in ways to help myself and other artists communicate and manage their lists of buyers, potential buyers, etc. I visit a lot of art fairs and rarely see much effort in getting contact info from booth visitors, or follow-up with purchasers. Personally, I've purchased multiple times from some artists and have never received follow-up communication. This always surprises me because I feel like people who buy my art are people I should stay in touch with regarding where I'll be, what I'm working on, new ideas, etc.
So, to get the discussion going...
How do you stay in touch with your buyers, both current and prospective?
What's your personality like in the booth at a fair? I've seen some artists become quite engaging with me as a visitor while others stay back in a corner of their booth without a word to me. Is there an advantage? Or is it personal style and comfort level?
As I develop my own artistic style for my entrance into the artfair world, this kind of information is very helpful, so thanks in advance for any comments in the thread!
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I tried using a guest book, or something similiar and it just got yucky. Either it got wet in the rain, humidity, drinks, or it got dirty and messy looking. I also found peole were not as receiptive to filling out a guest book type thing. So I copied Larry's idea and made a mailing list page I put on a clip board.'
Something like this but neater and I always change the name to the name of the show. The clip board hangs on a wall near the back of my booth with one of those pens that attaches to the clip board. This has worked out so much better then I expected. I leave my cards in the back, so they have to ask me for a card.
While I am getting them a card, I hand them the clip board and ask for their email so I can let them know about futur shows. It also gives me a chance to find out what they like and/or want. Works like a charm. I have extra lines below the zip so they can add notes, or I add notes after they leave. I also get a lot of people filling out the form with out me knowing, when I am busy or taking a port a potty break.
Thanks for the layout Larry. I use to only get 10 to 20 emails per show, not I get over 50 or more per show. Keeping it organized is the key.
I am careful to collect mailing addresses and emails addresses from all clients at the time of a sale. I would say more than 90% are willing to share their email and 99% share their snail mail. After the show, I send clients a thank you card with 4 or 5 cards/envelopes with one of my paintings on the front and my information on the back as a gift. I figure this way if they use the cards, they're advertising for me!
Email wise, I use 'patronmail' to send out email newsletters about once every month or two. I am often surprised to hear from clients YEARS later contacting me for repeat purchases that say they've been reading my email and watching my website.
Our website also has a coupon page, although there's no counter. And it works too. I'll get a number of 10% off coupons at just about every show. And when there's a discount, people buy more.
Larry Berman said:
Here's a suggestion on using your mailing list. I no longer do shows but I used this years ago. I created a special offer page on my web site and provided a link in my e-mail to my customers. There's a discount coupon on the page with a page counter embedded so each time the page was printed out a different numbered coupon was generated. http://bermanart.com/specialoffer.htm
Here's a suggestion on using your mailing list. I no longer do shows but I used this years ago. I created a special offer page on my web site and provided a link in my e-mail to my customers. There's a discount coupon on the page with a page counter embedded so each time the page was printed out a different numbered coupon was generated. http://bermanart.com/specialoffer.htm
Sara, You can do a simple form you do on the computer. I have a journal I bought at a book store and note each show I am at and have a line column for name and another for email address.
Onto the main topic discussion... I do have a mailing list however I am REALLY bad at keeping it up to date and sending out regular emails. I try to rely more on my Facebook page and website to getting the word out. People seem to be more inclined to check out my website or Facebook page and cross promote both.
Personality at a fair... I am definitely an outgoing person - warm and inviting. When a person looks and chooses to enter I smile and WELCOME them - "I hope you are doing well this fine day, let me know if you have any questions" then let them shop. I usually do busy work to keep the pressure off of them thinking I am about to pounce creating a positive buying enviornment. My booth is very hands on so it is very easy to get customers talking. Once a person opens up, it is easy to sell and I don't mean hard sell, I mean talk up what I make (the perks and what makes them unique). I have no problem asking if it is a gift for them or for a friend and how many would they like. While folks pay and I figure out totals I ask them to sign my guest book - and by the time they are done writing their info down, I am giving them their bag and change/receipt. I love selling and I love hearing customers reactions and opinions of what I offer. It is fun.
I use a similar one as Larry's, except I format mine in Excel - Then, after the show I scan into an Excel file and use the show's zip code near that person's email. The Excel file lets me sort by zip code and about a month prior to doing that show (or another in area) again, I send an email out to only those that attended that area to let them know.... I'm baaackkk. Works quite well and everyone loves that little advanced notice. Really helps with repeat business. Many times those that only looked before come back to purchase this time - or they bring a friend they just "had" to show my art to.
I have a form available for download from my own forum resource web site. You can print it out and hang it in your booth on a clipboard: http://artshowphoto.com/pages/emailform.htm
You really need to everything in your power to create the now sale. If you can not get that the best next is to get a contact info. Email is the best way to go. If some ask for a buss. cards you can ask for a contact info for fair exchange. We need to work the buyers and possible buyers. The buyers may be only a one time deal even you want them to be collectors or promote your work.
How you start and close the deal had been cover already.
Replies
Brookhaven Art Fair 2010
Name________
email_________
zip___________
_____________
_____________
Something like this but neater and I always change the name to the name of the show. The clip board hangs on a wall near the back of my booth with one of those pens that attaches to the clip board. This has worked out so much better then I expected. I leave my cards in the back, so they have to ask me for a card.
While I am getting them a card, I hand them the clip board and ask for their email so I can let them know about futur shows. It also gives me a chance to find out what they like and/or want. Works like a charm. I have extra lines below the zip so they can add notes, or I add notes after they leave. I also get a lot of people filling out the form with out me knowing, when I am busy or taking a port a potty break.
Thanks for the layout Larry. I use to only get 10 to 20 emails per show, not I get over 50 or more per show. Keeping it organized is the key.
Email wise, I use 'patronmail' to send out email newsletters about once every month or two. I am often surprised to hear from clients YEARS later contacting me for repeat purchases that say they've been reading my email and watching my website.
Best of luck to you!!
Our website also has a coupon page, although there's no counter. And it works too. I'll get a number of 10% off coupons at just about every show. And when there's a discount, people buy more.
Larry Berman said:
http://bermanart.com/specialoffer.htm
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Onto the main topic discussion... I do have a mailing list however I am REALLY bad at keeping it up to date and sending out regular emails. I try to rely more on my Facebook page and website to getting the word out. People seem to be more inclined to check out my website or Facebook page and cross promote both.
Personality at a fair... I am definitely an outgoing person - warm and inviting. When a person looks and chooses to enter I smile and WELCOME them - "I hope you are doing well this fine day, let me know if you have any questions" then let them shop. I usually do busy work to keep the pressure off of them thinking I am about to pounce creating a positive buying enviornment. My booth is very hands on so it is very easy to get customers talking. Once a person opens up, it is easy to sell and I don't mean hard sell, I mean talk up what I make (the perks and what makes them unique). I have no problem asking if it is a gift for them or for a friend and how many would they like. While folks pay and I figure out totals I ask them to sign my guest book - and by the time they are done writing their info down, I am giving them their bag and change/receipt. I love selling and I love hearing customers reactions and opinions of what I offer. It is fun.
Michelle
www.bythebaybotanicals.com
www.quickcraftartisttips.blogspot.com
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
http://artshowphoto.com/pages/emailform.htm
Larry Berman
Digital Jury Services
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
You really need to everything in your power to create the now sale. If you can not get that the best next is to get a contact info. Email is the best way to go. If some ask for a buss. cards you can ask for a contact info for fair exchange. We need to work the buyers and possible buyers. The buyers may be only a one time deal even you want them to be collectors or promote your work.
How you start and close the deal had been cover already.
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