Today's post is the third in our series of Holiday Sales Mistakes you might be making. It's also part of 6 Days of Handmade Business Holiday Giveaway. That means you'll be getting blog posts like this one for six days (until Saturday), PLUS a chance to win a Maker Business Tool Bundle (scroll to the bottom to enter!). Hey, your business deserves a gift too! ;)
Okay, yesterday I talked about how not being able to see prices can be a huge turn off to customers. You know what else? No signs. Or just one sign in front of your table and calling it a day (that one, oooh, man, happens so much).
I walked a big show this weekend with many vendors I had no idea who they were. Because I had never met them before and because they had no signs telling me who they are.
Types of Signs You to Think About
It's not usually sufficient to have just one kind of sign!
Your Name- Everywhere
More than anything people need to know who you are. This builds a relationship and helps people remember you for future purchases. And one sign just one cut it.
- On your tent front flap
- On multiple sandwich boards around your tent
- If you happen to be next to a pole or wall, you can post up a sign on that
- A sign that runs perpendicular to your booth that hangs out so people can see your booth name or what you sell as they are walking down the aisle
- The classic on your table cover (though this is not sufficient alone-- as soon as one person walks up to your table that sign is toast!)
- Small signs or handouts on your table
- A sign (or more!) posted behind you (again moving around this will get blocked, so you can't rely on this sign alone)
- A banner high above your table
What You Sell Signs
If your company is called "Handmade Bowties, Inc." then perhaps you don't need one of these signs. But if your company name is something more abstract like Hapertas Co. or even Brinko Ties (two #ahasmembers selling amazing handmade bowties!), then you will want to seriously consider having signage out that says what your product is.
And this is because, for the most part, when people are walking a show their brains start to fade. And booths all start to look the same, especially from afar or with people jammed in front of them. So as you go by, it's very likely not clear based on just your display of product alone why someone should come into your booth.
These pillow cases by A Handcrafted Home are beautiful, but without the sign it would be hard to know what they are!
Why You Signs
These signs I see way less, but I think they can help to set you apart from competition. Is your soap vegan? Do you use soy in your candles? Details like this attract shoppers who are looking for certain qualities in the products they are buying.
By saying their products are "Printed by Hand in Los Angeles, California", #ahasmembers Ink & Smog Editions is telling people why they might want to choose their product.
Specials and FAQ Signs
These last signs might not apply to you. But if you feel like you keep getting asked "Do you do custom orders?" or "What type of metal is this?" or I am sure you know what you get asked, go ahead and put up a sign so you don't have to keep answering that question.
You might also have show specials going on so put that out there front and center!
What's the point of having show specials if no one knows what they are? THAT IS WHERE SIGNS COME IN!
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