Well, at the peril of committing greivious mis-spellings, already did one, who cares? I will try to shed a little light on a subject just discussed in Michelle Wermuth's recent blog about newbies going out to art shows for the first time by themselves.
I can understand your worries. It is an uncharted territory for you and you feel alone and defenseless. Worry not, Doctor J is here to save your day.
Caution: What you are about to read is based on real life experiences. What a concept?
So, the most important first step is: Pack all that stuff inside and get in the damn van and drive. You have a show to do which can make you a lot of moola. Do not lose sight of what this is all about. You make a product, art, you travel to sell it, and you want to profit from the experience. If you are doing this for any other reasons then this, you should find an easier business.
Michelle mentioned about the feeling of being out there alone. Let us look more closely at this.
Every time you show up at a show you have the chance of meeting a minemum of four new friends. The people on both sides of you, the person across from you, and many times, the person behind you.
Take advantage of that. Some will be newbies like you. Share in common "newbie-ness" and hopefully connect.
Many times you will be surrounded by a seasoned pro, learn everything you can from them, and maybe even make a new friend.
Early on, in the early eighties when i really started doing shows, I met wonderful artists who I friended for life. I got to stay with them, got to eat and drink with them. This is a huge artistic social circuit--learn to make connections. In my early years, out of 35 shows a year, i usually only stayed at hotels a third of the time--because of connections. I only ever slept in my van, the first summer I went off, up north in 1985.
Next, when faced with eating alone for a meal, try this strategy. It will make you a happier person.
First off, eat a breakfest in the morn, it is an important meal which will fuel you with energy thru the day. Always go to a Starbucks on Sunday and buy the New York Times. It is a good three-hour read, and you will glean lots of interesting features from it. it is the best Sunday morn read in America.
Go find a Hilton, or a Marriot, or another big chain hotel. Eat your breakfeast, it will probably cost you $15 with a tip. But it is worth it. They will treat you like a king. Read your paper, sip your coffee, enjoy your fruit and exit a happy customer You will make the cost of your meal back on the first sale. And then, you will keep on selling.
For lunches, bring something in the cooler: hummous,nuts, fruits, leftovers from last nite's meal. Do not buy or eat the show food. Show me an exhibitor who has been eating a steady diet of show food and I will show you an exhibitor that is easily 10-15 pounds over weight because of it. Don't go there--you can do better with a little forethought and planning.
For dinner, when you are by yourself, employ this strategy, it is always a winner.
Go inside the restaurant and sit at the bar--especially in this day of non-smoking. Bring a book, or check out stuff on your smartphone or IPad. Let the bartender know you are alone especially if you are a female, and he will make sure guys are not hitting on you all the time. relax. He knows he is going to get a good tip from you, and you will get prompt service at the bar. Beats being at a table for one, where the server knows she aint going to get a lot out of you, and also you will get much slower service.
I always have a book in my backpack. I can sit at any bar, enjoy a great libation, and eat good food while reading. Tip the bartender well and he will be your best friend for the night.
I have followed these strategies for 36 years, and you know what? I am one of the happiest guys out there where I travel. I work hard, but I enjoy the rewards of doing it. I treat myself well. Hell, if you don't do it, nobody else will. Life is way too short. Enjoy every min ute of it.
I hope a few of you will try what I just suggested. It will make your life easier and much more rewarding. These are the times of our lives. Enjoy them. Don'be going to McDonalds and places like that. You work way too hard, reward yourself. You will be a happier person for it.
Aloha from Road-Warrior Nels.
This was number 2 of my series.
Replies
Great advice, as always, Nels. This will be my third summer - I haven't traveled more than an hour, so I'm always home at night. Many nights I'd be happy for a meal alone. shhhh - don't tell my husband that. He doesn't understand the lure and always wants to know how I've done and never thinks it's good enough.
As far as food - I always pack a cooler full of yogurt and finger foods, plus lots of cold drinks. Mostly water, but I've learned that I have to have at least one "sweet" drink. I usually opt for fruit juice.
Attending shows alone, I've had to rely on friendly neighbors to watch my booth when I need a quick break. Sometimes my husband will show up on his motorcycle for a few minutes, but he's not much of a salesman.
I have kept in touch with some of the jewelers I've met along the way.
Very good advise! And all to true!! I view each and every show as a new adventure- a day to make new friends, meet new people and make new contacts, learn new things. I spent the last year mentoring a complete Newbie to shows and the biz in general. And learned a lot in the process. Some of us take to this life instinctively, and some have a higher learning curve, but when we all work together, we make it worth while. Yes, there will be those days and shows, that no matter what you do, nothing goes as planned. Fortunately, those aren't the norm. I have always found that there are people who will help when help is needed, who will be friendly, cooperative and giving. And yes, the needy whiners are out there, too. But they won't last long. In mentoring my friend, I learned that, a lot of what we know, we learned- through trial and error, and by our own mistakes. If I can pass on some of that without someone having to experience the all the negatives, then I am improving/perfecting myself in the process. As to those lonely meals....some times, after a particularly busy show, a little quiet time and a little peace and sanity are just what one needs to recharge the spirit, and be back "on" the next day.
Load in and load out for the first two shows were terribly difficult for me. It wasn’t that they were difficult per se but they were difficult for me because of the twists and turns my life was taking at the time and just feeling so darn alone.
Maitland – Thank you Steve Vaughn for backing my van out for me when I got into an impossible situation while trying to find my booth space. Thank you Caroline Kwas and Framer Dude who gave me a cool space to sit in their RV and a soda before the show.
Winter Park – This show started with my being unable to open the back door of my van from the outside. No problem, I would just unload enough from the side door to get to the back door. At which point the back door stopped opening from the inside either. Thank you to Jeff Eckert and again Steve Vaughn who tried valiantly to find a solution to the problem. And an incredible thank you to the couple, who I would recognize but don’t know their name, who helped me load the last of the stuff into the van when I just plain ran out of steam.
Winter Springs – I approached this show with great trepidation. The two previous shows my talking to myself had pretty much degenerated into “why are you having such a problem with this, this is an easy setup / breakdown, you’ve done this before alone, what the h*** is wrong with you”. Thank you to Nancy Ellwood who sent her husband and either her or his father to help with breakdown. I was out in record time and the fog started to lift.
Disney - Not just this show but pretty much every show that Brett Miley and I do together she will come and help me finish breaking down after she is done. A big thank you for all those times.
Overall – Thank you to all you Florida artists who made me laugh, listened to my tale of woe, and invited me to sit with you at the various breakfasts and dinners. I miss you.
To the newbies – You’re going to meet some great people and soon have war stories of your own. You’re also going to meet a few jerks and whiners but there aren’t that many. It’s hard work, it is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards are many and not just financial.
Oh and watch out for the fair food but the artichokes are great.
Well Nels, regarding food. Depends on the venue. Been to places where they deep fry everything that doesn't move (or move fast enuf). If it's a carnival type booth that smells like Jiffy Lube, I ain't buying.But, there are shows like Crested Butte where the food court is all local farmers and vendors. Damn good stuff, and then there is barbque. Can't deep fry barbque, and by it's nature there is a big love quotient. Buy local, make another friend.
To that end. I agree whole footedly. Meet your neighbors, I spent years sporting a hard ass attitude. ALways would help someone, but talk to another photographer? No effin' way. Funny how the scene brings you back to earth, interesting what a neat slice of traveling humanity it all is.
That being said, kinda missing it all as I enjoy a year off. Just got added to the Kohler Show in July.Just might take em up on it. Just might.Stay well old man.You're still the bestest.
Lots of great advice there Nels!
Although fairly 'seasoned' after about 8 years of doing shows, I still feel a cross between excited at being at a show and concern for what I'm going to find there - but there's nothing you can do about the latter! I always aim for my booth to be a happy and positive place and customers are usually attracted by that :)
I'll keep your dining recommendations in mind too (well, the Aussie version of them at any rate) :D