I was at the Craft and Hobby Association trade show this last weekend. It's a great big trade show where buyers go to find the latest craft items and other things to sell in their shops. Since it's a trade show, you can't purchase items and take them home with you. So, it's a little bit different from the regular art or craft shows that most of us are used to doing.
However, the concept is still the same. People come into your booth, you talk to them, and hopefully, they buy something.
Unlike some of the shows that you or I might do, instead of paying $100 or so for booth space, these companies are spending thousands. So, imagine my surprise when I walk into a booth and get ignored by three people who are busily texting.
Now, I may not have been their next million-dollar order, but they'll never know.
And this company was not the only guilty party. I saw quite a few booths where the vendors were either talking on their phones, texting, or working on their computers. And, they were ignoring all their potential buyers.
Is this any way to run a business?
Definitely not. It doesn't matter if you've invested $100, $1000, or $10,000, if you paid to be at a show, you should be talking to all those potential buyers.
Thankfully, not all the vendors exhibited this type of behavior. I walked into several booths where I was greeted warmly, and given information. There was even one booth where there was a lady demonstrating their products. She greeted me and gave me one of the bracelets that she was making. Do you think I'll remember that vendor in the future? Definitely.
So, remember this: you never know if that person walking into your booth is going to be your next customer. Don’t ignore them. Better yet, give them a reason to buy from you.
Unlike some of the shows that you or I might do, instead of paying $100 or so for booth space, these companies are spending thousands. So, imagine my surprise when I walk into a booth and get ignored by three people who are busily texting.
Now, I may not have been their next million-dollar order, but they'll never know.
And this company was not the only guilty party. I saw quite a few booths where the vendors were either talking on their phones, texting, or working on their computers. And, they were ignoring all their potential buyers.
Is this any way to run a business?
Definitely not. It doesn't matter if you've invested $100, $1000, or $10,000, if you paid to be at a show, you should be talking to all those potential buyers.
Thankfully, not all the vendors exhibited this type of behavior. I walked into several booths where I was greeted warmly, and given information. There was even one booth where there was a lady demonstrating their products. She greeted me and gave me one of the bracelets that she was making. Do you think I'll remember that vendor in the future? Definitely.
So, remember this: you never know if that person walking into your booth is going to be your next customer. Don’t ignore them. Better yet, give them a reason to buy from you.
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