Geek Girl Con 2012 was my first solo sales event and a success. As a way for me to process what I have learned I am going to share my knowledge with you. If any of you have insights to add or comments to make please do.
Jeff and I at the booth.
Conventions offer interesting challenges. You need to have product prepped, display items, signage and personal care items.
The product side of things may seem a bit obvious but are worth going over. Do yourself a favor and have your product packaged, inventoried and boxed for transport a day or two before load in. Remember the amount of time it takes to prepare your product will invariably take longer than expected. The last thing you want is to be rushed when load in begins. For conventions cardboard boxes for loading in are nice as they can be recycled if you don’t need the full number when the time comes for load out. For packaging you want something that looks nice and is easy to label especially if you are selling a product where ingredients may be important. Also you don’t want you packaging to take distract from your product. Along with this goes bags. In many cities like Seattle you are now more limited on what bags you are allowed to use. You can no longer get a box of the extra cheap grocery style bags and call it good. Instead you need paper or a heavier more reusable plastic like the bags you get at a clothing store. You might also consider having some inexpensive reusable bags made with your company logo and saying on them for sale at a reasonable price. Remember to figure in the cost of the bags when you think about the cost of your product. It is up to you if it is worth getting custom printed bags or just bulk stock. I tend towards bulk stock.
How you build your displays are important. Many events provide at least one table all though you may wish to bring or rent additional ones. Before your event do some practice set ups so that you can have the most successful display set up possible. Your display should show your product off, attract positive attention and be inviting. Having multiple levels not only makes it easier to show off your product it also allows you to display more product in a smaller booth space.
This is a picture of a display rack that I may use as inspiration for some of my own displays.
Have a nice set of table clothes for your tables. You want your tables to look professional. A high quality cloth with a sheen and a subtle stripe helps your booth look prosperous. It is a subtle difference between a well-stocked booth and a cluttered booth. People need to be able to see and easily identify the items you are selling but they also need to see that you have a full selection of product. As you can see from the picture this is one area that I need to put a lot of work into.
Signage is hugely important. A large eye catching banner helps your regulars find your booth on the convention floor and it helps attract new customers. I suggest using a banner stand so that you don’t have to worry about how you are going to hang your banner. It is simple to make one from PVC pipe, they are easy to set up and take with you even if you have to set up your booth alone. The other important signs are price and item identification. It is a good idea to have signs that are easy to update as prices change. The challenge is to have small enough signs as to not distract from the product and are also professional looking and easy to read. Select a standard font and use it for all of the signs to create a uniform look. I prefer not to use hand written signs as my hand writing while perfectly legible doesn’t looks classy enough.
Finally the thing that I feel is the most important, self-care. First make sure you are wearing clothing that allows you to move freely and not overheat while still being appropriate to your convention. Feel free to cosplay just make sure you feel comfortable and aren’t going to fall out of your clothing. You also need to have comfortable shoes, it is hard to have fun and interact with customers if your feet hurt. I love fun looking shoes but I hate sore feet. I also suggest putting down foam puzzle mats to add some cushion to your floor. I keep a supply of drinks and snacks in the booth. I want to be able to stay hydrated and fed without having to leave the booth. I bring things like peanut butter sandwiches as they have a healthy stock of protein but at the same time do not require refrigeration. I do get out of my booth and go see what is going on around me but the last thing I want to do is have to spend my quick breaks standing in line for food. Sleep is also necessary make sure that you get enough. I know that fun things are often happening in the evenings of a con but you also have to stay healthy.
I hope these ideas help you. It has helped me to put them into words and soon practice.
