1 00:00:04,500 --> 00:00:07,280 There I see that you made it over to the new 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:09,650 tips and talk portion of the podcast. 3 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:14,870 These are bite-sized topics that I pull from community questions and 4 00:00:14,870 --> 00:00:19,010 things that I'm observing in the world of handmade small business. 5 00:00:19,670 --> 00:00:23,870 Welcome to the second part of the obstacles and challenges that 6 00:00:23,870 --> 00:00:26,360 come up when you're at a craft show. 7 00:00:26,900 --> 00:00:30,590 So at this point you have already registered for a show. 8 00:00:31,220 --> 00:00:33,440 The prior episode of tips and talk, 9 00:00:33,470 --> 00:00:37,130 we talked about the questions that come up once you've registered 10 00:00:37,130 --> 00:00:41,510 and then your planning and getting set up and thinking through 11 00:00:41,510 --> 00:00:44,360 what you're going to need at the show today, 12 00:00:44,360 --> 00:00:47,360 we're going to talk about the obstacles and challenges that can 13 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,630 come up in real time when you're at the show, 14 00:00:50,810 --> 00:00:53,600 things that can occur at your booth and how to deal 15 00:00:53,600 --> 00:00:54,050 with them. 16 00:00:54,590 --> 00:00:55,610 During this episode, 17 00:00:55,610 --> 00:00:59,600 you'll hear me reference some point that I've discussed before. 18 00:00:59,840 --> 00:01:03,500 And those are in the prior episode of tips and talk, 19 00:01:03,860 --> 00:01:05,120 if you've already listened to that, 20 00:01:05,120 --> 00:01:07,970 you know that this portion went a lot longer than I 21 00:01:07,970 --> 00:01:08,990 was anticipating. 22 00:01:08,990 --> 00:01:10,760 So I've split it up into two. 23 00:01:11,510 --> 00:01:15,170 If you haven't already listened to tips and talk number seven, 24 00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:18,350 I encourage you to go back and start with that one. 25 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:20,060 And then you can come back here. 26 00:01:20,570 --> 00:01:23,240 You'll still get the same value if you do it the 27 00:01:23,240 --> 00:01:24,230 reverse way. 28 00:01:24,230 --> 00:01:24,830 It's just, 29 00:01:24,830 --> 00:01:26,870 if you're doing it in chronological order, 30 00:01:26,870 --> 00:01:28,310 it might make more sense. 31 00:01:28,700 --> 00:01:29,120 All right, 32 00:01:29,270 --> 00:01:29,780 with that, 33 00:01:29,810 --> 00:01:31,340 let's go ahead and dive in. 34 00:01:31,700 --> 00:01:33,110 Okay. So now let's get into, 35 00:01:33,380 --> 00:01:33,950 on site. 36 00:01:33,980 --> 00:01:35,450 During the show, 37 00:01:36,020 --> 00:01:37,100 we were just talking about, 38 00:01:37,100 --> 00:01:39,260 if your checkout process is really slow, 39 00:01:39,530 --> 00:01:41,690 your booth can get overcrowded. 40 00:01:41,990 --> 00:01:43,430 What'll happen is either, 41 00:01:43,430 --> 00:01:45,860 there are so many people in front of your booth that 42 00:01:45,860 --> 00:01:47,420 other people will walk by and say, 43 00:01:47,450 --> 00:01:48,020 Oh my gosh, 44 00:01:48,050 --> 00:01:50,480 I'll come back later to the booth that there's too many 45 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:54,770 people there good that your booth is crowded because that creates 46 00:01:54,800 --> 00:01:56,660 interest but bad. 47 00:01:56,660 --> 00:01:59,780 If people can't even get up to the table to look 48 00:01:59,990 --> 00:02:01,310 because truth is, 49 00:02:01,310 --> 00:02:02,090 if they walk away, 50 00:02:02,090 --> 00:02:04,400 they probably are not going to be coming back. 51 00:02:04,670 --> 00:02:06,830 They're just going to walk away and be gone. 52 00:02:07,220 --> 00:02:08,390 Here's how you handle this. 53 00:02:08,390 --> 00:02:11,450 If you are at a craft show and there are people 54 00:02:11,450 --> 00:02:12,770 huddled around the table, 55 00:02:12,770 --> 00:02:14,750 there are a bunch of people who are in line ready 56 00:02:14,750 --> 00:02:15,350 to buy. 57 00:02:15,650 --> 00:02:18,470 There are other people who are asking you questions. 58 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:21,770 Oh, one thing that I did forget to mention earlier when 59 00:02:21,770 --> 00:02:26,510 we were talking about displays is make sure that your displays, 60 00:02:26,570 --> 00:02:31,430 all your products are either individually priced or you have some 61 00:02:31,430 --> 00:02:34,130 type of a chart that shows what the prices are. 62 00:02:34,550 --> 00:02:34,790 You know, 63 00:02:34,790 --> 00:02:39,080 three for X number of dollars prices for different sizing, 64 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:39,920 whatever it is, 65 00:02:39,920 --> 00:02:42,920 make sure it's very easy to see because that's one less 66 00:02:42,920 --> 00:02:44,720 question that they have to ask you. 67 00:02:45,170 --> 00:02:46,190 Let's say you have this situation. 68 00:02:46,190 --> 00:02:47,480 Your booth is crowded. 69 00:02:47,660 --> 00:02:49,550 You got a couple people who are in line to check 70 00:02:49,580 --> 00:02:51,920 out. You got some other people who are looking, 71 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:53,510 asking questions. 72 00:02:53,540 --> 00:02:56,810 So have as much done in your booth where they don't 73 00:02:56,810 --> 00:02:59,330 have to ask you a question as possible. 74 00:02:59,860 --> 00:03:01,540 Because if there's only a few people at the booth, 75 00:03:01,570 --> 00:03:04,330 you can always engage in conversation. 76 00:03:04,510 --> 00:03:06,160 But if someone wants to ask you a question and they 77 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:07,150 can't get an answer, 78 00:03:07,210 --> 00:03:08,800 they'll be frustrated and then they'll walk away. 79 00:03:09,550 --> 00:03:10,780 Here's what you can do. 80 00:03:10,840 --> 00:03:12,880 You've got your checkout process going. 81 00:03:12,940 --> 00:03:17,110 And if somebody else besides you knows how to manage checkout, 82 00:03:17,290 --> 00:03:19,030 let one person between, 83 00:03:19,030 --> 00:03:20,800 let's say you have two people working in your booth, 84 00:03:21,190 --> 00:03:24,550 have one person just be in charge of the checkout process. 85 00:03:24,580 --> 00:03:27,670 So they are doing the cash, 86 00:03:28,060 --> 00:03:29,500 running the cards, 87 00:03:29,710 --> 00:03:30,280 et cetera. 88 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:32,440 So that you have a flow to your booth. 89 00:03:32,680 --> 00:03:34,810 People who are looking browsing, 90 00:03:34,990 --> 00:03:36,250 asking questions, 91 00:03:36,280 --> 00:03:37,660 you're just commenting with. 92 00:03:37,900 --> 00:03:40,330 And then another place where they can just go to checkout. 93 00:03:40,330 --> 00:03:41,590 Because once they're ready to buy, 94 00:03:41,860 --> 00:03:43,030 they're ready to buy. 95 00:03:43,060 --> 00:03:44,290 You want to make it fast. 96 00:03:44,320 --> 00:03:46,000 You want them to be able to move on. 97 00:03:46,150 --> 00:03:49,390 Okay? So it makes for a better customer experience when you 98 00:03:49,390 --> 00:03:50,260 do it that way. 99 00:03:50,920 --> 00:03:53,440 But if you have people waiting in both categories, 100 00:03:53,440 --> 00:03:56,800 so browsing category and the checkout category, 101 00:03:57,220 --> 00:03:58,510 here's some ideas for you. 102 00:03:58,960 --> 00:04:01,450 Remember, I was talking earlier about that QR code. 103 00:04:02,290 --> 00:04:06,130 If you have a QR code that leads to more information, 104 00:04:06,460 --> 00:04:08,170 maybe it's a YouTube video, 105 00:04:08,260 --> 00:04:11,560 maybe a behind the scenes of how you create products. 106 00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,560 This allows for them to interact with you. 107 00:04:15,160 --> 00:04:16,240 Without them just sitting, 108 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:17,260 standing, waiting. 109 00:04:17,830 --> 00:04:20,230 Another way to manage multiple people at your booth is to 110 00:04:20,230 --> 00:04:22,000 get people talking with each other. 111 00:04:22,510 --> 00:04:26,200 If you recognize somebody who's been a customer of yours before, 112 00:04:26,200 --> 00:04:28,690 and you recall what they bought say, 113 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:29,740 Oh, Laurie, 114 00:04:29,740 --> 00:04:31,270 it's so good to see you here. 115 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:33,850 And then you can say to everybody, 116 00:04:34,240 --> 00:04:36,850 Laurie loves my lemon candles. 117 00:04:36,910 --> 00:04:37,330 You know, 118 00:04:37,360 --> 00:04:42,850 or recently Lori placed an order for the butter pecan sauce. 119 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:44,350 What did you put it on Laurie? 120 00:04:44,590 --> 00:04:47,890 Then people start talking to each other in the line, 121 00:04:47,980 --> 00:04:52,360 making friends it's also helping reinforce your product and your kind 122 00:04:52,360 --> 00:04:53,830 of testimonials on the fly. 123 00:04:53,830 --> 00:04:54,580 If you will, 124 00:04:54,790 --> 00:04:57,160 that will keep people at the booth until you're able to 125 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:57,820 talk with them. 126 00:04:58,510 --> 00:05:00,100 Barring both of those. 127 00:05:00,100 --> 00:05:02,980 If you have people there at the booth who are waiting 128 00:05:02,980 --> 00:05:03,820 to talk with you, 129 00:05:04,210 --> 00:05:05,170 acknowledge them. 130 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,590 This is the very least you do is either with eyesight 131 00:05:08,590 --> 00:05:09,160 and smile. 132 00:05:09,160 --> 00:05:12,460 Just recognize their presence there or say, 133 00:05:12,460 --> 00:05:15,550 I'll be with you in a minute because what has that 134 00:05:15,550 --> 00:05:19,540 done? It's kind of like sealed the deal versus someone who's 135 00:05:19,540 --> 00:05:21,640 feeling, not recognized at all. 136 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:22,210 First of all, 137 00:05:22,210 --> 00:05:23,470 they feel invisible, 138 00:05:23,470 --> 00:05:24,880 which is never a good feeling. 139 00:05:25,210 --> 00:05:27,730 Second. It's easier for them to walk away because they think, 140 00:05:27,730 --> 00:05:28,690 well, you know, 141 00:05:28,690 --> 00:05:30,130 they'll never even see that I was there, 142 00:05:30,790 --> 00:05:32,620 but once you've engaged with them, 143 00:05:32,650 --> 00:05:34,330 they're more likely to stay. 144 00:05:34,480 --> 00:05:38,320 So these are tactics that you can use on the browsing 145 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:40,540 area. Now on the checkout area, 146 00:05:41,380 --> 00:05:43,990 if your checkout process is a little more complicated, 147 00:05:44,020 --> 00:05:47,020 let's say you have something that's customizable and there's a form 148 00:05:47,020 --> 00:05:48,100 that needs to be filled out. 149 00:05:48,610 --> 00:05:51,580 You can give the form to all the people who are 150 00:05:51,580 --> 00:05:53,770 already in line with pens, 151 00:05:53,770 --> 00:05:54,850 cause you're going to be prepared. 152 00:05:54,850 --> 00:05:57,500 So you'll have a pen handy so they can start filling 153 00:05:57,530 --> 00:05:59,870 out what they're going to buy. 154 00:06:00,110 --> 00:06:00,890 And again, 155 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:04,160 that commits them more to the purchase because they've got the 156 00:06:04,160 --> 00:06:07,160 paper, they're filling it all out and then they're going to 157 00:06:07,160 --> 00:06:08,990 buy. And then you have your checkout process, 158 00:06:08,990 --> 00:06:10,220 easy, smooth. 159 00:06:10,250 --> 00:06:12,290 And it just carries on from there. 160 00:06:13,310 --> 00:06:16,820 It's important that you're the leader and the controller and tell 161 00:06:16,820 --> 00:06:17,990 people what to do, 162 00:06:18,170 --> 00:06:19,550 not in a bossy way, 163 00:06:19,550 --> 00:06:22,700 but you guide people through because then they feel like, 164 00:06:22,940 --> 00:06:24,890 okay, there's some pattern here. 165 00:06:24,980 --> 00:06:26,300 And I'm part of this process. 166 00:06:26,300 --> 00:06:27,920 Now I'm just moving through the system. 167 00:06:28,430 --> 00:06:28,820 And again, 168 00:06:28,820 --> 00:06:31,490 this is only if your booth becomes overcrowded, 169 00:06:31,970 --> 00:06:34,160 okay? But you want a plan for that because you don't 170 00:06:34,160 --> 00:06:36,260 want to lose the sales for sure. 171 00:06:36,470 --> 00:06:38,360 And you want to move people through the booth. 172 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:41,030 So that then there'll be more people who are coming to 173 00:06:41,030 --> 00:06:43,610 the booth because they see it's popular until you have that 174 00:06:43,610 --> 00:06:46,490 consistent flow of traffic going through. 175 00:06:48,170 --> 00:06:50,240 The next thing that can happen. 176 00:06:50,330 --> 00:06:55,370 Big challenge and obstacle with shows is what if people are 177 00:06:55,370 --> 00:07:01,190 coming to this show and you're not getting any sales that's 178 00:07:01,190 --> 00:07:03,980 I think probably the worst fear that we all have. 179 00:07:04,010 --> 00:07:04,190 You know, 180 00:07:04,190 --> 00:07:06,140 you make an investment in a show, 181 00:07:06,590 --> 00:07:08,330 you set up your booth, 182 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:13,280 you've made all the product and nothing is selling. 183 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:15,380 Here's the thing you guys. 184 00:07:15,950 --> 00:07:18,890 And this is one of the other things that is so 185 00:07:18,890 --> 00:07:24,320 great about face-to-face shows if for some reason your product isn't 186 00:07:24,320 --> 00:07:27,920 selling, this is a place to figure out why. 187 00:07:28,250 --> 00:07:32,540 And don't you want to know why before the next show 188 00:07:32,540 --> 00:07:35,900 that you would go to or why your stuff is sitting 189 00:07:35,900 --> 00:07:37,010 online and not selling. 190 00:07:37,700 --> 00:07:39,440 Okay. So two things could be happening. 191 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:41,660 If people are walking the show, 192 00:07:41,690 --> 00:07:43,490 meaning there's traffic going through the shell, 193 00:07:43,520 --> 00:07:45,320 people are walking through. 194 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:49,610 So you're seeing that there's a community of purchasers there, 195 00:07:49,700 --> 00:07:50,450 their attendees, 196 00:07:50,450 --> 00:07:51,170 that the show, 197 00:07:51,590 --> 00:07:56,030 but they're not stopping at your booth potentially. 198 00:07:56,030 --> 00:07:59,270 You haven't done enough to attract them into your both. 199 00:07:59,780 --> 00:08:03,020 There may be some other attention getting thing that you could 200 00:08:03,020 --> 00:08:04,370 do. Now, 201 00:08:04,400 --> 00:08:06,200 obviously, if you're in the middle of a show, 202 00:08:06,230 --> 00:08:08,630 you will be able to do that for a future show. 203 00:08:08,930 --> 00:08:10,520 But for the current situation, 204 00:08:10,580 --> 00:08:12,920 start saying hi to people who are walking by, 205 00:08:13,130 --> 00:08:15,800 not the salesy in front of your booth, 206 00:08:15,830 --> 00:08:17,240 dragging them in, 207 00:08:17,570 --> 00:08:19,970 but just stand in front of your table. 208 00:08:19,970 --> 00:08:21,170 And hi, 209 00:08:21,170 --> 00:08:22,730 how are you enjoying the show today? 210 00:08:22,850 --> 00:08:23,060 You know, 211 00:08:23,090 --> 00:08:27,380 engaging people in conversation shows that you have you're friendly and 212 00:08:27,380 --> 00:08:30,140 then you can welcome them into your booth. 213 00:08:31,070 --> 00:08:35,420 Another thing that could happen is sometimes people don't know what 214 00:08:35,420 --> 00:08:37,250 your product does now, 215 00:08:37,310 --> 00:08:38,750 obviously with a candle. 216 00:08:38,780 --> 00:08:39,350 They do. 217 00:08:39,710 --> 00:08:43,130 But if you have some type of an interesting accessory, 218 00:08:43,460 --> 00:08:45,800 I'm thinking now about pins, 219 00:08:45,800 --> 00:08:46,610 it pins. 220 00:08:46,610 --> 00:08:47,960 It is a, 221 00:08:48,050 --> 00:08:51,290 it's like a two-sided pin that, 222 00:08:51,620 --> 00:08:51,860 you know, 223 00:08:51,860 --> 00:08:56,340 when you have either shawls or cardigans that don't have button 224 00:08:56,340 --> 00:08:58,290 fronts, it's a closure. 225 00:08:58,860 --> 00:09:01,500 If I saw that without no, 226 00:09:01,510 --> 00:09:02,790 in fact it actually happened. 227 00:09:02,850 --> 00:09:03,750 I walked by the booth. 228 00:09:03,750 --> 00:09:04,050 I'm like, 229 00:09:04,050 --> 00:09:04,590 what is this? 230 00:09:04,590 --> 00:09:05,970 I'm not even sure what it is. 231 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:07,590 Even though they had a display, 232 00:09:07,620 --> 00:09:09,960 I thought she was selling knitted shawls. 233 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,810 She really makes pins it's. 234 00:09:12,930 --> 00:09:15,270 So I didn't know what it was For. 235 00:09:16,110 --> 00:09:19,020 There was another Product that I remember in terms of not 236 00:09:19,020 --> 00:09:20,820 understanding exactly what it is. 237 00:09:20,820 --> 00:09:22,470 I thought it was lip balm. 238 00:09:22,470 --> 00:09:25,050 It was kind of in like a chapstick type of a 239 00:09:25,050 --> 00:09:29,250 tube, but it was really any essential oil mixture that you 240 00:09:29,250 --> 00:09:32,250 put on your temples for helping with mood, 241 00:09:32,250 --> 00:09:35,460 like to fall asleep or to make you happier or that 242 00:09:35,460 --> 00:09:36,060 type of thing. 243 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:39,510 So if you have a product that may be a little 244 00:09:39,510 --> 00:09:40,320 more creative, 245 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:41,430 that isn't obvious, 246 00:09:41,460 --> 00:09:43,980 you want to make sure to tell people what's on your 247 00:09:43,980 --> 00:09:44,910 table. You know, 248 00:09:44,910 --> 00:09:46,680 just explaining it in a very fun, 249 00:09:46,680 --> 00:09:47,670 nice way. 250 00:09:47,760 --> 00:09:50,760 I make pins that allow you to keep your shawls on 251 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:51,660 so they don't fall off, 252 00:09:51,690 --> 00:09:51,930 you know, 253 00:09:51,930 --> 00:09:53,520 or whatever the case might be. 254 00:09:53,670 --> 00:09:55,590 That could also be a reason why people aren't coming to 255 00:09:55,590 --> 00:09:56,010 your table. 256 00:09:56,010 --> 00:09:58,770 They're not understanding what your product Does, 257 00:09:59,730 --> 00:10:02,370 but let's say That's not the situation. 258 00:10:02,370 --> 00:10:04,440 People are coming to your table, 259 00:10:04,680 --> 00:10:06,540 looking at the products, 260 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:08,970 thinking browsing, 261 00:10:08,970 --> 00:10:11,130 you might even talk with them a little bit, 262 00:10:11,160 --> 00:10:12,960 but they start to walk away. 263 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:18,600 This is a point where you want to understand what's going 264 00:10:18,600 --> 00:10:21,030 on. See if you're going to have conversation with them as 265 00:10:21,030 --> 00:10:23,550 they're considering and make comments like, 266 00:10:23,580 --> 00:10:27,990 well, which flavor do you like the best or with mother's 267 00:10:27,990 --> 00:10:28,740 day coming up? 268 00:10:28,770 --> 00:10:29,040 You know, 269 00:10:29,040 --> 00:10:30,990 which one would you think like your mother would like, 270 00:10:31,260 --> 00:10:32,130 or you might say, 271 00:10:32,130 --> 00:10:32,670 you know what? 272 00:10:33,120 --> 00:10:35,190 I was thinking of two different, 273 00:10:35,430 --> 00:10:39,660 I'm going to do candles candle sense for mother's day. 274 00:10:39,720 --> 00:10:42,270 And I was between this one and this one, 275 00:10:42,660 --> 00:10:43,950 I ended up doing both of them, 276 00:10:43,950 --> 00:10:45,810 but which one would you have liked the best? 277 00:10:45,840 --> 00:10:48,270 Like you can do some market research. 278 00:10:48,870 --> 00:10:49,980 You could also say, 279 00:10:49,980 --> 00:10:53,220 if you're thinking about doing smaller or bigger candles, 280 00:10:53,340 --> 00:10:53,670 just say, 281 00:10:53,670 --> 00:10:54,720 Hey, could you help me out? 282 00:10:55,020 --> 00:10:57,480 Is there a size that you don't see here that you 283 00:10:57,480 --> 00:10:59,070 would have liked to purchase? 284 00:10:59,250 --> 00:10:59,850 You see what I mean? 285 00:10:59,850 --> 00:11:02,910 You're drawing them in and you might find a hole in 286 00:11:02,910 --> 00:11:03,810 your product line. 287 00:11:04,140 --> 00:11:06,360 That is exactly what people would be wanting. 288 00:11:06,960 --> 00:11:07,560 They might say, 289 00:11:07,560 --> 00:11:08,010 you know what? 290 00:11:08,010 --> 00:11:10,800 I have a little window sill in my kitchen that, 291 00:11:11,340 --> 00:11:11,520 you know, 292 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,610 I've just been looking for a pot for my little plant. 293 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,430 And I just can't find the size that I'm looking for. 294 00:11:18,180 --> 00:11:19,800 Whoa. You know, 295 00:11:19,800 --> 00:11:23,280 if You make planters bingo. 296 00:11:24,030 --> 00:11:27,150 So of course you want to be making sales at craft 297 00:11:27,150 --> 00:11:29,010 shows, but if you're not, 298 00:11:29,040 --> 00:11:32,700 here's the time to figure out why through all that. 299 00:11:32,700 --> 00:11:33,900 I was just talking about. 300 00:11:33,900 --> 00:11:35,550 It's valuable research time. 301 00:11:36,060 --> 00:11:39,630 The thing not to do is to start discounting your price, 302 00:11:39,630 --> 00:11:41,460 totally to just make them sell. 303 00:11:41,940 --> 00:11:44,370 You want to get the information that's going to make the 304 00:11:44,370 --> 00:11:45,420 next show better. 305 00:11:45,450 --> 00:11:47,610 You don't want to lose money on the show because of 306 00:11:47,610 --> 00:11:49,890 the products that you made in your selling below cost. 307 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:53,470 The other thing I don't want you to do is stop 308 00:11:53,500 --> 00:11:57,100 interacting and stop talking and just be so upset and feel 309 00:11:57,100 --> 00:11:58,870 like you're defeated or something, 310 00:11:59,260 --> 00:12:00,910 because this is the time again, 311 00:12:00,910 --> 00:12:05,260 that you can gain the best information for moving forward. 312 00:12:06,070 --> 00:12:07,840 The third challenge that can happen, 313 00:12:07,870 --> 00:12:12,280 right? When you're live at shows is something that nobody can 314 00:12:12,340 --> 00:12:16,150 control. And that's whether the weekend, 315 00:12:16,210 --> 00:12:19,330 normally every time of year is set up to be perfect. 316 00:12:19,330 --> 00:12:20,250 Whether it's, 317 00:12:20,260 --> 00:12:20,560 you know, 318 00:12:20,830 --> 00:12:22,180 based on where you live in the country, 319 00:12:22,180 --> 00:12:23,050 it's like the best, 320 00:12:23,050 --> 00:12:23,590 you know, 321 00:12:23,860 --> 00:12:25,600 stacking the odds in your favor. 322 00:12:25,630 --> 00:12:27,160 But then all of a sudden, 323 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,860 the clouds open up and it is pouring. 324 00:12:29,950 --> 00:12:31,000 What's going to happen. 325 00:12:31,150 --> 00:12:33,490 People are going to go running for the cars and you 326 00:12:33,490 --> 00:12:36,010 can't sell when no one's at the show. 327 00:12:36,700 --> 00:12:39,040 So that is something that you need to think about with 328 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:40,510 Results of the show, 329 00:12:40,510 --> 00:12:44,650 because weather absolutely positively affects Results. 330 00:12:45,190 --> 00:12:47,170 And if it pours like that all weekend, 331 00:12:47,320 --> 00:12:49,060 you almost can't say the show. 332 00:12:49,090 --> 00:12:52,210 Even you were even able to give it a shot. 333 00:12:53,110 --> 00:12:55,060 However, let's have a plan. 334 00:12:55,330 --> 00:12:56,860 Okay? If that happens, 335 00:12:57,160 --> 00:12:59,170 you still invested in the show. 336 00:12:59,770 --> 00:13:01,690 So how do you try and make back your money? 337 00:13:02,410 --> 00:13:07,120 Why not do a pop-up shopping show on Facebook or Instagram 338 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:08,530 live and say, 339 00:13:08,590 --> 00:13:09,940 you're not going to believe this. 340 00:13:10,030 --> 00:13:11,950 I am at X and X show. 341 00:13:12,010 --> 00:13:13,180 Look, what's happening. 342 00:13:13,390 --> 00:13:14,710 You can show your table. 343 00:13:14,740 --> 00:13:18,310 You can show the rain coming down because of this. 344 00:13:18,310 --> 00:13:22,090 I decided I am going to sell from here. 345 00:13:22,090 --> 00:13:24,400 So let me show you what I have and do a 346 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:26,140 live show and capture sales. 347 00:13:26,140 --> 00:13:28,570 That way people who already follow you, 348 00:13:28,570 --> 00:13:31,510 who might not be even in the area of that show 349 00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:32,740 can play some orders. 350 00:13:33,160 --> 00:13:34,750 And then the show isn't a bust, 351 00:13:35,410 --> 00:13:38,920 right? The other thing to consider is if it does start 352 00:13:38,920 --> 00:13:41,710 raining, but it's not torrential rains. 353 00:13:41,710 --> 00:13:44,530 Like I was just describing where not everyone's leaving, 354 00:13:44,530 --> 00:13:46,720 but they're being a little bit faster, 355 00:13:47,500 --> 00:13:48,820 pack up some of your products. 356 00:13:48,820 --> 00:13:49,900 So they're ready to go. 357 00:13:49,930 --> 00:13:52,360 So if someone's interested in buying your soaps, 358 00:13:52,360 --> 00:13:53,320 for example, 359 00:13:53,740 --> 00:13:56,260 you can have them all ready to go and say, 360 00:13:56,260 --> 00:13:56,950 Hey, you know what? 361 00:13:56,950 --> 00:13:59,050 We're bundling things together because of the rain, 362 00:13:59,050 --> 00:14:01,810 we're making it easy and faster for you. 363 00:14:02,020 --> 00:14:03,700 I'm doing sets of three soaps. 364 00:14:03,850 --> 00:14:06,700 You've got citrus scent Muskie, 365 00:14:07,030 --> 00:14:08,620 and you're like more for men, 366 00:14:08,800 --> 00:14:09,130 you know? 367 00:14:09,190 --> 00:14:12,370 And you've bundled a few things together and you can sell 368 00:14:12,370 --> 00:14:13,390 them really quickly. 369 00:14:13,420 --> 00:14:14,290 What's happening. 370 00:14:14,590 --> 00:14:16,750 You're making more money per sale, 371 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:17,950 bundling them. 372 00:14:18,400 --> 00:14:20,980 You're making the checkout faster because you've already packed them so 373 00:14:20,980 --> 00:14:21,460 they can go. 374 00:14:21,460 --> 00:14:23,140 All they have to do is make the payment. 375 00:14:23,470 --> 00:14:26,350 And that will also help you get as much out of 376 00:14:26,350 --> 00:14:28,000 the sales as you possibly can. 377 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:32,290 During a time of inclement weather during the show, 378 00:14:32,860 --> 00:14:34,090 the issues that come up, 379 00:14:34,180 --> 00:14:35,350 overcrowded booth, 380 00:14:35,410 --> 00:14:36,640 how do you handle that? 381 00:14:36,640 --> 00:14:39,940 So you can run people through the booth in a smooth 382 00:14:39,970 --> 00:14:41,590 way and get them on their way. 383 00:14:41,590 --> 00:14:42,940 So you don't lose sales. 384 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,000 And you also open up opportunities for more people to come 385 00:14:46,000 --> 00:14:48,160 to your booth again so that they can look at your 386 00:14:48,160 --> 00:14:49,840 products and purchase. 387 00:14:50,530 --> 00:14:52,370 What happens if there's people in the show, 388 00:14:52,370 --> 00:14:54,680 but you're just not selling at your table, 389 00:14:55,130 --> 00:14:57,050 research, learning, 390 00:14:57,230 --> 00:15:00,170 identifying, and then you can adjust to move forward. 391 00:15:00,740 --> 00:15:01,670 And then the third, 392 00:15:01,700 --> 00:15:04,100 what about whether something you can't control, 393 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:06,290 always a risk at shows. 394 00:15:06,410 --> 00:15:07,910 When you have a plan, 395 00:15:08,090 --> 00:15:09,530 it doesn't have to be so bad. 396 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:13,880 Okay? So these are the challenges that I have seen come 397 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:15,800 up. Maybe it's you, 398 00:15:15,830 --> 00:15:17,570 you decide you're not even going to go to a show 399 00:15:17,570 --> 00:15:20,270 because you have no idea how to handle all this. 400 00:15:20,630 --> 00:15:23,420 If you need to go back with pen and paper, 401 00:15:23,600 --> 00:15:25,490 take down notes of what we've talked about. 402 00:15:25,760 --> 00:15:30,980 I've covered the biggest obstacles and then provided solutions for ways 403 00:15:30,980 --> 00:15:33,620 that you can make these in-person shows, 404 00:15:33,620 --> 00:15:35,150 whether it's a craft show, 405 00:15:35,180 --> 00:15:36,410 farmer's market, 406 00:15:36,470 --> 00:15:37,340 flea market, 407 00:15:37,370 --> 00:15:40,520 even all different types of shows are available. 408 00:15:40,820 --> 00:15:41,570 The end, 409 00:15:42,050 --> 00:15:45,350 honestly, they can be the best investment for you. 410 00:15:45,590 --> 00:15:47,810 You're able to talk one-on-one with your customers. 411 00:15:47,990 --> 00:15:52,550 You're able to interact with your local community as a handmade 412 00:15:52,550 --> 00:15:57,440 creator. I highly encourage you to try your local shows. 413 00:15:57,860 --> 00:16:02,150 I know that you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results and 414 00:16:02,150 --> 00:16:03,770 between these last two episodes. 415 00:16:03,860 --> 00:16:05,810 You know how to select a show, 416 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:09,530 how to prepare and avoid some of the challenges that might 417 00:16:09,530 --> 00:16:10,490 come your way. 418 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:14,540 And then judge the results to determine if it's a repeat 419 00:16:14,570 --> 00:16:17,450 or if you should move on and do a different show. 420 00:16:18,050 --> 00:16:22,880 Preparation leads to confidence which leads to strong performance, 421 00:16:23,090 --> 00:16:26,630 which leads to brand new customers who discover you and purchase 422 00:16:26,630 --> 00:16:29,960 from you at the show and brand new prospects who will 423 00:16:29,960 --> 00:16:33,050 buy from you in the future and make sure to tune 424 00:16:33,050 --> 00:16:37,010 in next week where we'll be talking about social media's role 425 00:16:37,130 --> 00:16:38,240 at your craft shows, 426 00:16:39,350 --> 00:16:43,010 that's a ramp to get to the point kind of girl. 427 00:16:43,430 --> 00:16:46,160 And this is what you can expect from these quick midweek 428 00:16:46,160 --> 00:16:50,720 sessions. Now it's your turn go out and fulfill that dream 429 00:16:50,720 --> 00:16:51,560 of yours. 430 00:16:51,890 --> 00:16:54,260 Share your handmade products with us. 431 00:16:54,650 --> 00:16:58,580 We want them and they bring us both so much happiness.