Well, first let me say, I have a long ways to go in learning how to do this right.
- - - The right tools for the job!!! - - -
We started off on a tight budget, like most. The tent we bought cost us $60... What can you expect from a $60 tent? Flexing sides, broken lockout buttons and thin canopy that leaks when it rains and tears easily. One thing it did do, it made it through about 7 shows.
We spent the season hoofing totes (full of steel goodies), tables and panels. Guess what I just purchased... A 2 in 1 dolly/cart. lol. It took us doing a couple shows at schools the realize our truck/trailer could only bring our gear so close to our booth spot.
Wind and cheap tents... well, I don't need to go into this any further.
- - - Speaking of Schools - - -
We learned a couple valuable lessons all the late season school shows we did. First we did a large show at Fenton, MI high. Tons of people, tons of great vendors, lots of money being spent. Just not at our booth. Don't get me wrong, we made ok money. Our mistake was getting in on the show late. We were not near the entrance and we were down a long hallway at the very end. People came, but most said (while carrying many items) wish I had more money or I wish we would have seen this sooner... By getting in late, we put ourselves in this position.
Next we did an absolute train wreck of a show, which was fitting, since the school mascot was a railroader... This was mostly on the promoter. Now I get it, I get all the complaints I have read here about a certain show or certain promoter. We got near zero advertising. What advertising they did do, had the wrong address/location for the show. The show was scheduled during another popular event in the next town over. The town was also off to another location cheering on kids that made it to finals, I believe in cheer. (not the promoters fault). The site was not marked, no signs around the town or school. The booths were not marked out before the morning of the show. In all, we had maybe 50-75 people walk through all day. Yes... that sucked!!! The majority of our sales were from other bored vendors. After day care, gas and show fee, we lost $100.
We did another show that was another downer. We only made $150-200 over costs. this was right before Christmas. This was supposed to be a decent show, not entirely sure why it failed. There were not a ton of people.
- - - Gotta have the goods - - -
Running out of product became an issue towards the end of the summer season. I know, this is such a "horrible" problem to have, but I had trouble keeping up, between custom orders, day job and wearing myself out. We would run out of the popular items at shows. My New Years resolution . . . Build up tons of stock before the show season starts.
The bread and butter is in the "pocket-able items". It was great to sell pieces in the $300-$400 range here and there, but we realized we sold just as much if not more small ticket items. Those were the goods I kept running out of.
- - - Health and Safety - - -
Besides having a tent that is sturdy in case of a wind/rain storm. . .
Hydration... We did a show on a hot day and we did not plan ahead for it. Under those tents, it gets a little warm. By the end of the day I was in bad shape. We did not pack enough water and or snacks.
- - - Don't Do It - - -
I have learned there are red flags in selecting what shows to do. I have also learned there are red flags in customers who want custom work done. I have made next to nothing for customers that will not be satisfied, no matter what you do. I have learned it is ok to say no and turn down work/$$$
- - - I have also learned - - -
To have fun with this. This coming year we will be booking some shows in nicer locations with something to see and do while not in the booth. Stressing over sales, setting up, tearing down, competition... not worth it.
Evolve. I was at some of the same shows with the same competitor... I noticed his line up changed and started to resemble mine, not everything but a few items. At first, I thought I should confront him, be mad... grrrrr. Then I realized its going to happen and that my designs need to continue to evolve and keep my line up fresh.
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Looking forward to 2015! Is it spring yet?
Ken
Summit Metal Designs
Replies
What a wonderful look back at the first year. Thank you for sharing! It took me more than a year to pick up on many of the lessons you learned. And you made me laugh, remembering my own first year, and lugging my tent and paintings and all my crap, because it hadn't dawned on me to get a handcart... and my first booth set-up, sheesh, I look at it now and am amazed that anyone came IN, let alone bought anything!
Thanks for keeping it green. And because of you, and others on this list, I'm going to do a year-end evaluation, too.
Hello!
Newbie here. I've just spent the last 8 hours reading all I can here. Why I didn't find you until now is beyond me.
Anyway...
As my first post, can I ask a question of people in this thread re: tents?
I've only done one indoor show so far and I don't have one. I wanted to buy a nice Flourish and I know they are dear in cost, and just like people said, what if I spend that and find I don't like shows? TOTALLY valid argument! What worries me is if I got a cheapie to find that out, what if weather causes it to take out my work or worse, OTHERS? (I don't have insurance for that yet either, I admire you guys for having made it through this beginning phase that I've been spinning my wheels in for a few years) That's why I was thinking I needed to spend the $$$ on something solid. Another thing that holds me back is so many shows want booth photos and to date, I have that one show, indoors, I don't have an outdoor booth photo so I can't apply until I do and if jurors see a cheapie tent, will they toss me out for that? This is so monumentally overwhelming. Please forgive me for asking what may be a loaded question as my very first one here. I don't expect an instant infusion of knowledge, but a few thoughts will help. :)
Hi Stephanie,
Your concerns are real and, fortunately, fairly straightforward to solve.
No tent? Buy one used. You get the best value this way. Besides, even if you buy one brand new, it will be "used" after your first few shows. Many artists retire or move on from doing shows so finding a trimline in good condition is not hard.
Will some places hold a cheap tent against you? Yes. But not most as long as the canopy is white.
No booth photo? That's simple. Buy the tent and take a photo with it set up in a park or your driveway. The booth shot should be fairly close so the "background" is quite negligible. There's a lot on this site to read but Larry Berman has some solid info that probably is all you need.
If you end up not liking shows, at least you can say you tried. Financially, the risk is very small if you pick shows close to home and take care of your tent. If you buy used, you'll possibly be able to sell it for the same price presuming it's in the same condition. Shows are hard work and can be a lot of time and money investment, but if you enjoy doing shows then I know of nothing else like it.
Yes, I'd like to know how your 2nd year went!
How was your second year?
Thanks for sharing Ken.
I learned a lot too! And the community here certainly offers good help too.
I'm with the other on the churches and schools. I heard they were "good" and in the right area, but without fail, churches/schools for me were not good shows for me. It seemed like they were designed for mostly items under $20 and the advertising was far less than the other shows I did. Not all, but this was my general impression.
When you said you learned red flags for promoters, what did you mean? I'd love to be able to filter shows better...
Thanks.
Bobby,
I had the same experience with churches/schools. I would rather just donate an item for a raffle or auction, if they have one.
Cindy
Great recap, Ken...thanks for sharing it with us and congratulations on surviving your first year of doing shows...we can all take away good advice from your experiences.
I am responding here to the OP and to Chris ... just to simplify ....
>>We started off on a tight budget, like most. The tent we bought cost us $60... What can you expect from a $60 tent? Flexing sides, broken lockout buttons and thin canopy that leaks when it rains and tears easily. One thing it did do, it made it through about 7 shows.<<
>>You bought a cheap canopy. You might disagree, but that was a very smart decision. Now you can look into a better one. I cringe when I hear about people spending $1,000 on a canopy and find out they don't like doing shows.<<
I agree that it's smart not to buy expensive tents and such the first year for precisely the reason Chris stated. It would be bad to invest that much and learn you hate it. Buy working a year or so with the less expensive tents you can learn what you want by looking at other's tents at shows .... learn what you like and don't like.
I've read of crafters and vendors buying hot pink tents because they love the color. Then they learn that many show promoters only allow white. It is a hard lesson to learn that what "I" like and what is accepted by promoters can be very different.
>>School shows: The absolute best place to learn how to do a show. If you look back you'll see just how many tricks you picked up by just watching the other exhibitors, and how to stand out among them. The money may not be there, but the experience is priceless.<<
Our first year, 2013 and the spring of 2014 we did some church and school shows. I will say it was a good place to get our feet wet but not much in the way of $$. It helped us learn we like doing the show circuit and created a desire to do bigger shows.
>>I found out one of the best ways to find out about shows is to not just make friends with your fellow exhibitors, become friends with them. I have a close circle of fellow exhibitors who are honest with each other. Our group consists of a jeweler (who's been doing this since the 60s), a potter, photographer, 2D, floral design and wood. one woodworker is an attorney who took down her shingle and decided to enjoy her life. Going out for dinner on Saturday night with some of these characters can be interesting!<<
We have made some friends on the road too. There is a lady, her husband, &her son who sell Michael's Pickles and were next to us at one of our shows in 2013. We have known them only a year but it seems much longer. We have had the opportunity have dinner on the evening before shows after we had set up. They are great company, of course we talk shows, business and just life in general. Very good company.
>>We spent the season hoofing totes (full of steel goodies), tables and panels. Guess what I just purchased... A 2 in 1 dolly/cart. lol. It took us doing a couple shows at schools the realize our truck/trailer could only bring our gear so close to our booth spot.<<
We learned too about having the right transportation for our goods. We bought a heavy duty wagon at Lowe's for transporting our stuff. It is not the biggest one they had, only because when it's loaded down it would be unmovable. Our products are quite heavy. When we load the wagon we have with coasters its weight comes in at about 275 lbs.! It pays to learn what others are using but don't assume it'll automatically work for you.
>>Next we did an absolute train wreck of a show, which was fitting, since the school mascot was a railroader... This was mostly on the promoter. Now I get it, I get all the complaints I have read here about a certain show or certain promoter. We got near zero advertising. What advertising they did do, had the wrong address/location for the show. The show was scheduled during another popular event in the next town over. The town was also off to another location cheering on kids that made it to finals, I believe in cheer. (not the promoters fault). The site was not marked, no signs around the town or school. The booths were not marked out before the morning of the show. In all, we had maybe 50-75 people walk through all day. Yes... that sucked!!! The majority of our sales were from other bored vendors. After day care, gas and show fee, we lost $100.<<
Been there done that. It doesn't matter who the promoter is, they need to learn to invest in proper advertising. It is short sighted to think they can just pocket the money they should spend on advertising while using only "free" advertising like community events on the radio and facebook.
>>Evolve. I was at some of the same shows with the same competitor... I noticed his line up changed and started to resemble mine, not everything but a few items. At first, I thought I should confront him, be mad... grrrrr. Then I realized its going to happen and that my designs need to continue to evolve and keep my line up fresh.<<
I have checked out the competition at shows. Most of those who have had stone coasters or trivets do not do anything like I do. I am not saying no one else can do it. I am just saying they are not doing it, at least in our area. I do no worry about the competition because when you learn the difference between what they are doing and what I do, it's not comparable.
Just do what you love and do it the best you can. Improve where you can and give great service. There is no substitute for that. JMHO
Congratulations ken! You made it through the first year.
So some observations from your post.....
You bought a cheap canopy. You might disagree, but that was a very smart decision. Now you can look into a better one. I cringe when I hear about people spending $1,000 on a canopy and find out they don't like doing shows. As far as heat in the canopy, here's something I've had for almost 20 years: A 10x10 white tarp that I put up in my canopy to form a 'ceiling'. Believe it or not, the heat stays up in the top and it's actually cooler inside than outside. And the customers stay longer. Just Google "10x10 white tarp". They're cheap.
School shows: The absolute best place to learn how to do a show. If you look back you'll see just how many tricks you picked up by just watching the other exhibitors, and how to stand out among them. The money may not be there, but the experience is priceless.
You found out the impressive work brings them in, but the small stuff pays the bills. I assume you're taking plastic.
Selecting shows: The fun part. Things to avoid are promoters who say spaces are going fast so sign up early. Unless it's a well known promoter it's usually hype for an amateur promoter.
I found out one of the best ways to find out about shows is to not just make friends with your fellow exhibitors, become friends with them. I have a close circle of fellow exhibitors who are honest with each other. Our group consists of a jeweler (who's been doing this since the 60s), a potter, photographer, 2D, floral design and wood. one woodworker is an attorney who took down her shingle and decided to enjoy her life. Going out for dinner on Saturday night with some of these characters can be interesting!
You had one sentence that struck me like nothing else in your post. "To have fun with this." That is the number one reason I have been doing this for so long! Let's face it; If you don't enjoy what you do, what's the point?
On to 2015! Another year of learning, of surprises, of making the same mistakes we all made. You'll be fine because you have the right attitude.
Have fun!
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