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Where do you put your chair?

Posted by Dean Russell Thompson on May 31, 2011 at 6:36pm in Art Show Information and Discussions

 

I suspect that this is one of those questions that will have as many answers as there are people...

 

Where do you set up your chair?  In the booth? Outside by the front?  Outside in the isle facing the booth?  In back?   What is the reasoning behind your choice?

 

 

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  • Amy Ikenn June 27, 2011 at 1:52pm

    We keep chairs and a "table" (stacked bins) in the back behind a display table.  If there is space we stay behind the tent so the display table can go further back - if not we only use one chair and keep the table on an angle. 

     

    As for the artists who sit in the concourse, I have stumbled onto a way to make them move further from my booth... My glass pieces that are meant for the garden are in two cylinders at the front of my tent (one on each side).  They are attached to the tent pole so they are secure, but someone who bumps into them hears a lot of glass clinking and usually gets a little freaked.  Even the rudest artists keep away from situations where they think they will shatter someone else's work.

  • Karole Bowlds June 24, 2011 at 11:49am
    I have a small table and folding chair.  this is placed either in the back of the booth, near my back door, or along one side but inside the booth. This is my "Cash Out" table. It is also my work space- I also provide adjustments, and custom orders. I use the chair only when actually cashing out a customer- to write the receipts, and when making adjustments. Otherwise I am up and about cleaning, helping customers, visiting the booths on either side. I step out behind my booth to eat a snack, etc. I burn too easily to be out in full sun, and like to work on things while at a show. This has actually helped "draw" customers in. I usually greet them, explain that I am working on an order, allow them to browse in peace, but assure them I am available for any questions or help trying on a piece.
  • Jeanne Steck June 23, 2011 at 6:03am

    My chair is behind my table, although I'm rarely sitting at it. I try to leave a small workspace for adjustments or creating when slow.  I'd like to get a taller stool or director's chair so I'm more visible when I do sit.

    Like Key of A, I'm often in front of my display adjusting or looking. Although, the fanny pack might give away my status as the artist.

  • The Key of A June 22, 2011 at 9:21pm

    What chair?  I never sit at a show.  I'm constantly straightening and being interested in my own product.  If a passerby sees you holding up your own work, looking at things on your tables or stands, they see a booth that has something interesting in it and will tend to stop in and see what you're looking at.  From their viewpoint, they don't necessarily know that you are the artist, you're maybe just a customer?!!!  Really, it works, I've always done it and when people come in, I'm right there to ask them what they think about a piece that I have....you see, they still don't know I'm necessarily the artist at that point.  It's networking, it's generating interest, it's sharing your thoughts and trying to engage and get feedback back from a customer.  Help them see how wonderful your product is.

    I don't participate in shows to sit, I'm there to sell.  I walk out of my booth, talk to passerbys, go look at the next booth and engage in conversation with people.  Again, I'm there to play salesman that day.  I've been sitting making jewelry the entire week prior, I want to share and sell it!

     

    Again, chair....what chair???  LOL

    • deb upright > The Key of A June 24, 2011 at 3:14pm

      I hope your not next to me.  You should stay in your own booth and engage in conversation with customers there. Going into other booths and talking to people there is rude.

       

      • Chris Hoyt > deb upright June 25, 2011 at 6:15am

        Deb,

        This is a whole different can of worms. Those exhibitors who cannot stay inside their booth, and grab customers from out in the aisle.

        Like you, that drives me nuts. I've had fellow exhibitors go over in front of my booth and talk "passerbys" into their booth. Why don't they just get a speaker system and start hawking their work?

        "Hey! Getcha (fill in the product) right here! Best stuff at the show! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! It's goin' fast!"

      • Karole Bowlds > deb upright June 24, 2011 at 4:08pm
        Deb, I believe she meant she networks with the other artists, not their customers.
  • Michael Higdon June 22, 2011 at 2:16pm
    I just started doing shows last year, and I tried putting my chair in the front (behind a podium where I stored all my sales equipment) and also in the back.  Either way didn't seem to make a difference.  People seemed to come in based more on if they liked my art, than on a feeling of being "trapped" or not.  I'm thinking the artist's demeanor is more important than where they are in the booth anyway.  I have been in so many booths where the artist (doing nothing) does not even acknowledge my presence.  I don't want to pounce on anyone, but a simple hello I don't think is going to scare anyone off either...
  • Deborah Moen June 17, 2011 at 12:50pm
    Most marketing guru's will tell you that placing a chair outside the booth in front or even in any front corner will actually keep customers out of the booth. People are afraid of being trapped. Once the customer enters the booth, artist will herd and (figure of speech) close the only open door they had for escape. This reminds me of car shopping. You pull into a car lot and before you even get your car door open, a salesman or two are standing at your car door window just waiting for you.
    Back corners are acceptable but behind a table is preferred for the elimination of being trapped. Your customers want their space and the table gives that plus the feeling of safety.
    I personally do the open corner back door thing (when room is available) and sit outside the tent with a tiny table or desk like thing still inside but to the side of me for transactions and wrapping.
    Yep, the chair issue is definately something to think about.
  • deb upright June 1, 2011 at 9:05pm
    One of my pet peeves (and I have a few) is artists who sit in front of their tents. It interupts the traffic flow to my tent, not theirs.  I've had customers who stop and look at my things and the offending artist starts up a conversation on their things.  Then I have to go out and have a "conversation" with them.  And I just made an enemy out of the offending artist. Sigh.  Too bad some people don't use the "Golden Rule".  Our director chairs sit behind the counter in the back of the booth.  We like being eye level with customers.
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