Whether it is the economy, too many festivals in one area, weather or not much display space left in the house or on the body, patrons are not spending as much this year. While I can't say that is totally true for myself or my two partners in crime who go with me to fairs, based on conversations with a lot of artists it is true.
So what will make us come into your booth and buy?
Imaginative or cohesive displays that draw the eye are what cause us to come in.
Once we are in there, acknowledge us. The artist sitting in back reading without looking up doesn't care about my business. Unless I really like what I see, I turn around and walk out. You want me to care, well care about me.
Offer a simple comment and see how we respond. If we have questions or want to talk, we will. Don't "trap" us in your booth with long-winded conversations, we have other booths to see.
If you are a jeweler, please have mirrors available, preferably where we don't have to ask for them. (and my cousin would like you to have alcohol wipes so she can try on earrings safely!)
If your medium is something that weighs a lot, we would appreciate it if you have the space, to hold our purchase until we are leaving. Your fellow artists would appreciate it too since if we get tired of carrying something, we aren't as attentive to other booths.
And the most important thing--please, please have prices on your pieces. If you are out of my price range, I don't want to take up your time. If there are many things that I like and I have to make a choice, it makes it easier. If you leave your booth, I can still get a price on an item and either buy it right then, or know to come back.
A lot of us are looking for a reason to buy something.
(as a side note, I got to meet Linda Anderson at the Morning Glory Art Fair in Milwaukee. Her work is beautiful, she is delightful and she made the best of a bad situation where rain left a majority of the booths on grass pretty much underwater. It was a wonderful festival with a lot of artists I had never seen before. I am looking forward to next year already)
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
Thanks for the kind words. "crossing the state line" is easier than you made it sound, I only live about 10 minutes from the border!!!
It was a wonderful festival and your photos are going to look perfect in our guest room.
Linda Anderson said:
Great Topic Geri! I hope you continue to give us your input as it is what we need to hear and learn from. It was wonderful meeting you at Morning Glory (as I mentioned in my MG report blog). Overall it was a tough steamy rain/storm filled weekend but there you were. A patron driving hours (across state lines) to participate in the arts, dealing with the heat & the rain, spending your dollars on our soul inspired artwork. You are the reason we deal with the drudgery of set up/tear down rather than just depend on a website or local gallery/shop to sell our artwork. We feed on not just your purchases (they do however pay our bills), but also your appreciation, encouragement, kind words, support and suggestions. Unfortunately my booth (or lack thereof) was not as inviting/attractive as I would have had it if the weather related problems did not exist - but I surely appreciate you finding me so I could meet you. It was my first time at Morning Glory and putting the weather aside - I thought very nicely organized. This area of Milwaukee is fantastic and perhaps when in the area again, during better weather conditions, you will have some time to enjoy the surroundings as well. I'll continue to watch for your bits of ideas you share with us.
I am not trying to imply that I am an expert but in addition to going to a lot of festivals, I go with a lot of different people to festivals and we always talk about what we like and don't like. And I do have about 25 years of experience going art festivals.
Michelle Sholund said:
This goes back to being a business person/ salesman. Many artists are just that artists. There are only a few, that I have met, talked to, read about who embrace the fact they have to SELL their work in order to make money. I feel I am one of those people and it only took me 1 year to learn this. The first year, I was doing the simple display because when you start up you don't have as money to work on the display - and you do simpler shows too. Now I have grown and so has my booth. First of all it is COLORFUL, I use a color full banner and flowering vines (fake) adorning wood shelving as well as one check out table. I make maximum use of my space (not junky or cluttered) and it looks like you walked into an inviting boutique complete with soft instrumental music and good lighting. Only if a few others - new or or experienced - would just do one of those things, they would see an increase in sales. It might not be a big difference at first but at least 5-10% at first. I think the hardest thing artists face is they see their booth through an artists eyes, not through the eyes of a customer. Once they realize this then all the pieces fall into place. Regardless, thanks for stating what you - as a customer - would like to see from artists! This is what artists need to hear. - Michelle (www.bythebaybotanicals.com)
This goes back to being a business person/ salesman. Many artists are just that artists. There are only a few, that I have met, talked to, read about who embrace the fact they have to SELL their work in order to make money. I feel I am one of those people and it only took me 1 year to learn this. The first year, I was doing the simple display because when you start up you don't have as money to work on the display - and you do simpler shows too. Now I have grown and so has my booth. First of all it is COLORFUL, I use a color full banner and flowering vines (fake) adorning wood shelving as well as one check out table. I make maximum use of my space (not junky or cluttered) and it looks like you walked into an inviting boutique complete with soft instrumental music and good lighting. Only if a few others - new or or experienced - would just do one of those things, they would see an increase in sales. It might not be a big difference at first but at least 5-10% at first. I think the hardest thing artists face is they see their booth through an artists eyes, not through the eyes of a customer. Once they realize this then all the pieces fall into place. Regardless, thanks for stating what you - as a customer - would like to see from artists! This is what artists need to hear. - Michelle (www.bythebaybotanicals.com)
Great Topic Geri! I hope you continue to give us your input as it is what we need to hear and learn from.
It was wonderful meeting you at Morning Glory (as I mentioned in my MG report blog). Overall it was a tough steamy rain/storm filled weekend but there you were. A patron driving hours (across state lines) to participate in the arts, dealing with the heat & the rain, spending your dollars on our soul inspired artwork. You are the reason we deal with the drudgery of set up/tear down rather than just depend on a website or local gallery/shop to sell our artwork. We feed on not just your purchases (they do however pay our bills), but also your appreciation, encouragement, kind words, support and suggestions. Unfortunately my booth (or lack thereof) was not as inviting/attractive as I would have had it if the weather related problems did not exist - but I surely appreciate you finding me so I could meet you. It was my first time at Morning Glory and putting the weather aside - I thought very nicely organized. This area of Milwaukee is fantastic and perhaps when in the area again, during better weather conditions, you will have some time to enjoy the surroundings as well. I'll continue to watch for your bits of ideas you share with us.
Replies
It was a wonderful festival and your photos are going to look perfect in our guest room.
Linda Anderson said:
Michelle Sholund said:
It was wonderful meeting you at Morning Glory (as I mentioned in my MG report blog). Overall it was a tough steamy rain/storm filled weekend but there you were. A patron driving hours (across state lines) to participate in the arts, dealing with the heat & the rain, spending your dollars on our soul inspired artwork. You are the reason we deal with the drudgery of set up/tear down rather than just depend on a website or local gallery/shop to sell our artwork. We feed on not just your purchases (they do however pay our bills), but also your appreciation, encouragement, kind words, support and suggestions. Unfortunately my booth (or lack thereof) was not as inviting/attractive as I would have had it if the weather related problems did not exist - but I surely appreciate you finding me so I could meet you. It was my first time at Morning Glory and putting the weather aside - I thought very nicely organized. This area of Milwaukee is fantastic and perhaps when in the area again, during better weather conditions, you will have some time to enjoy the surroundings as well. I'll continue to watch for your bits of ideas you share with us.