Professional Attitude + Being Efficient
Apr 27, 2022 8:33:32 GMT -5
catskillrocks and 1dave like this
Post by fernwood on Apr 27, 2022 8:33:32 GMT -5
I have been trying to establish my jewelry/lapidary business for about 20 years now.
I have had some ups and downs during that time.
Recently decided to go all out and present items for sale in a more professional manner.
I had purchased display items from a local upscale store a few years ago. A rotating jewelry display, some clear, 4" by 6" plastic display card holders. Have been printing off info and placing that in the holders. Individual necklace display pieces.
Recently purchased some 4' folding tables. The type that fold up in the middle.
I need to stuff everything in my Subie Forester for shows, so space is limited. Usually have no one to help with loading items in car, unloading at shows and packing up.
I have lifting restrictions, so must be smart when doing this.
Yesterday, I received the new display card holders for earrings/necklaces. Some small organza bags. Stick on plastic hooks that will be placed on the back of the cards. Some price stickers.
The show date is May 11th. I will have 3 days off work between today and May 11th. Have a lot of things to do between now and then.
I am offering some suggestions for anyone who is considering taking lapidary related items to shows.
Forgot to add a very important thing in the begining o numbered list. Plan to arrive early and wait for doors to open. Being close to the load in entrance near your space makes things so much easier. Especially true if the weather is bad.
1. Know who potential customers are. How many potential customers? I decide what to bring, based on the show. If it is a craft sale, usually choose lower priced items. If an art or lapiddary show, then change up what will be briught.
2. Will children be present? If so, I always have something special for them. Could be low priced, tumbled rocks, a rock/fossil dig in a sand filled tote. Jewelry that is child themed. Etc. I also try to spebd time talking with the children so their parent(s) can browse. Helping them ID their finds in my rock dig tote.
3. Do you need to bring your own tables or will they be provided? Can you rent tables from the venue?
4. What is the size of vendor spaces? If not listed, ask. I have been to some shows where the individual spaces were marked. Others where vendors were shown their space. Just told they had about 8'. Have had people in neighboring spaces overextend into my space. The worst time was when someone set up a table about 6" from my space. This prevented potential customers from looking at items I had on one table. Their space was set up as a U where customers could come inside the U. Mine was also a U, but customers walked around the outside of the tables. I had to talk with the show manager. they told my neighbor to change their table arrangement so it did not block my space.
5. Cost vs potential income. What is the charge for vendors? For craft sales I like to estimate that 5% of potential customers will purchase something. So, if the show usually has 400 potential customers, that means that maybe 20 will purchase something from you. Say the average customer spends $10.00. A conservative estimate would be $200.00 in sales. Is that really worth it? To me it is, because I have gotten many custom orders based on attending sales.
6. Determine how you will bring items from your car to your space. I have 2-3 canvas suitcases on wheels and a nice, hand cart with a large lip and good tires. I can borrow my daighter's Radio Flyer wagon as needed.
7. Pack items in display pieces. I have several, vintage advertizing boxes I pack items in and also use to display items. This adds height to my space.
8. I also use large pieces of pet wood and Amethyst to display pieces on.
9. Have a plan for security. If alone, have eyes in the back of your head. Sad, but true, that iems are often stolen during shows. I am used to being very aware of who is looking at certain items, even when I am assisting others.
10. Display of high value items. I always have any small items valued at over $25.00 secured. Cabochons/pendants are attached to a display board or in cases. Speciman pieces are also in multi compartment display cases.
11. Get to know your neighbors on all sides. Especially if both you and them are alone. Check out their spaces. Maybe purchase something from them early in the day. Help each other out, by watching their space if they need to use bathroom or get something to eat. Ask them to do the same for you.
12. Have fun. Interact with potential customers. Have a newsletter sign up sheet. If no newsletter, have a sign up sheet with link to your web page and other useful links.
13. Display a list of future shows you will be at.
14. Keep your money box secure. Many do not have a money box anymore, but use a fanny pack, carpenters apron, etc, to keep money on them at all times.
15. Establish a take down plan. Even if you are alone during the show, having someone come to help load items into your car at the end of the day can be a God Send.
16. After a long day (or several days), who wants to unload everything from their car to house/shop? If you can park your car in a secure location, then un,oad the next day if possible.
If you have anything to add to this list, please do. I forgot to mention bringing food/snacks/beverages along. Having cell phone full charged.
I had to think back. May 11th, will be my 100th show since 1986. Granted, there were some years I stopped doing shows, or even doing lapidary.
Compaired to many here, having done 100 shows is not a biggie, but to me it is.
Hope that others can benefit from my past experiences.
I have had some ups and downs during that time.
Recently decided to go all out and present items for sale in a more professional manner.
I had purchased display items from a local upscale store a few years ago. A rotating jewelry display, some clear, 4" by 6" plastic display card holders. Have been printing off info and placing that in the holders. Individual necklace display pieces.
Recently purchased some 4' folding tables. The type that fold up in the middle.
I need to stuff everything in my Subie Forester for shows, so space is limited. Usually have no one to help with loading items in car, unloading at shows and packing up.
I have lifting restrictions, so must be smart when doing this.
Yesterday, I received the new display card holders for earrings/necklaces. Some small organza bags. Stick on plastic hooks that will be placed on the back of the cards. Some price stickers.
The show date is May 11th. I will have 3 days off work between today and May 11th. Have a lot of things to do between now and then.
I am offering some suggestions for anyone who is considering taking lapidary related items to shows.
Forgot to add a very important thing in the begining o numbered list. Plan to arrive early and wait for doors to open. Being close to the load in entrance near your space makes things so much easier. Especially true if the weather is bad.
1. Know who potential customers are. How many potential customers? I decide what to bring, based on the show. If it is a craft sale, usually choose lower priced items. If an art or lapiddary show, then change up what will be briught.
2. Will children be present? If so, I always have something special for them. Could be low priced, tumbled rocks, a rock/fossil dig in a sand filled tote. Jewelry that is child themed. Etc. I also try to spebd time talking with the children so their parent(s) can browse. Helping them ID their finds in my rock dig tote.
3. Do you need to bring your own tables or will they be provided? Can you rent tables from the venue?
4. What is the size of vendor spaces? If not listed, ask. I have been to some shows where the individual spaces were marked. Others where vendors were shown their space. Just told they had about 8'. Have had people in neighboring spaces overextend into my space. The worst time was when someone set up a table about 6" from my space. This prevented potential customers from looking at items I had on one table. Their space was set up as a U where customers could come inside the U. Mine was also a U, but customers walked around the outside of the tables. I had to talk with the show manager. they told my neighbor to change their table arrangement so it did not block my space.
5. Cost vs potential income. What is the charge for vendors? For craft sales I like to estimate that 5% of potential customers will purchase something. So, if the show usually has 400 potential customers, that means that maybe 20 will purchase something from you. Say the average customer spends $10.00. A conservative estimate would be $200.00 in sales. Is that really worth it? To me it is, because I have gotten many custom orders based on attending sales.
6. Determine how you will bring items from your car to your space. I have 2-3 canvas suitcases on wheels and a nice, hand cart with a large lip and good tires. I can borrow my daighter's Radio Flyer wagon as needed.
7. Pack items in display pieces. I have several, vintage advertizing boxes I pack items in and also use to display items. This adds height to my space.
8. I also use large pieces of pet wood and Amethyst to display pieces on.
9. Have a plan for security. If alone, have eyes in the back of your head. Sad, but true, that iems are often stolen during shows. I am used to being very aware of who is looking at certain items, even when I am assisting others.
10. Display of high value items. I always have any small items valued at over $25.00 secured. Cabochons/pendants are attached to a display board or in cases. Speciman pieces are also in multi compartment display cases.
11. Get to know your neighbors on all sides. Especially if both you and them are alone. Check out their spaces. Maybe purchase something from them early in the day. Help each other out, by watching their space if they need to use bathroom or get something to eat. Ask them to do the same for you.
12. Have fun. Interact with potential customers. Have a newsletter sign up sheet. If no newsletter, have a sign up sheet with link to your web page and other useful links.
13. Display a list of future shows you will be at.
14. Keep your money box secure. Many do not have a money box anymore, but use a fanny pack, carpenters apron, etc, to keep money on them at all times.
15. Establish a take down plan. Even if you are alone during the show, having someone come to help load items into your car at the end of the day can be a God Send.
16. After a long day (or several days), who wants to unload everything from their car to house/shop? If you can park your car in a secure location, then un,oad the next day if possible.
If you have anything to add to this list, please do. I forgot to mention bringing food/snacks/beverages along. Having cell phone full charged.
I had to think back. May 11th, will be my 100th show since 1986. Granted, there were some years I stopped doing shows, or even doing lapidary.
Compaired to many here, having done 100 shows is not a biggie, but to me it is.
Hope that others can benefit from my past experiences.