Daily Handy Tips

Posts Tagged ‘listings’

There are a plethora of small tips that I’ve come across and encountered during a lot of my trips across the different tips. Some, I found, actually make a very big difference that could shift the whole paradigm out of focus. Others are hardly noticeable, requires a lot of effort but don’t make the cut and are more trouble than what they are worth. But the other tips, they area godsend to keeping your customer attention, reinforcing them and fortifying your reputation.

First thing to do is after finishing a deal. Keep your customer’s contact details and few days after, send a personal, hand-written note thanking them for their business and hoping to do more in the future. A thank you note makes the whole thing personal, making it appealing and at the same time, reminding the customer that you actually care. Just make sure to write your note as short as possible, no flattery, and unscripted. Let the customer feel. Bee as genuine about your happiness for doing business with the person.

Another tip: never leave your post. That means to not ever, EVER, leave your table unattended and/or without anybody manning the stations. Giving yourself to your business means giving a whole lot of your aspects into it, including time and constant attention. If a prospective client sees your empty table, that is instant money turning into stone. It will also do bad for your non-existent reputation (non-existent because he or she hasn’t even seen your face and you already have a bad rep with the client). Whatever you do, you paid for that space. You better make good use for it.

Be a friend, be an agent, be a customer; but don’t look like a proprietor in front of the client. Everyone has a pretty bad impression regarding salespersons (you could see the image of a widely-grinning, hat-wearing salesman with an evil glint in the eye, and an avid stare at your wallet). Customers would feel more comfortable if you would go down to at least their level (or away from the manager-high-seat) and act like another perusing customer.

The theme then is, bring your business to a personal approach with your clients. The things about craft festivals are, customer and producer meets and greets. They talk. They share ideas. They find things amusing and things disagreeable. But you have communication. And communication is one thing that reinforces both you and your customer’s relationships. Don’t be awkward about it. If a customer is genuinely interested in your product, then discuss and promote.

The Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce had initialized these lists of festivities way back when it started during 1983. The proprietor of the balloon festival was a certain Mr. Walt Darren, a commercial airline pilot who had a side hobby of being a hot air balloonist. He was the first to propose the idea of having hot air balloons race through the countryside as part of an effort to bolster the tourism in the area.

Vicky Taylor, then president of the Commerce had asked Evelyn Harker, event organizer to raise funds for this idea (of which she might have thought of it to be a pretty good idea in itself.) The event organizer had a splendid idea that the whole thing could pull off much more successfully if the other attractions that could be found in the local area were pulled in as a culmination of all the good things that can be found inside Temecula Valley. Things like wines, cheeses, the entertainment and basically, the cuisine of Temecula itself.

The idea was considered, and more of the people around, as well as several establishments and organizations pitched their support in to try and bolster the event upwards. Funds came in from different parts of the valley, not to mention contributions limited to not only finance, but also through volunteer work and free advertising of the event.

The first of the full events were started during the early spring of 1984. With the small towns population of only nine thousand, it was a drastic and daring step to bolster their stagnant economy, as well as a big gamble on their part. The gamble worked and at least four thousand five hundred visitors had actually visited the site on their first day of the festival.

The thirty five balloons that were launched are kept in the memories of those who saw it. Some may have made their final flight a few years back, other still going strong and flying like the young ones. But the festival attracts new blood year per year, making sure the tradition never dies.

Are you a person who is tired of thinking about selling something all day? Is there nothing new to sell much these days? Don’t have the effort for innovation or you are simply just bored?

Then maybe you should take to being a merchant then. This is a mercantile trade of buying things from people at a discounted price and then earning a profit by selling them to people of other locales. Just like how the merchants did it in the olden times.

This is especially good if you have a transport, an active directory of all fairs and festivals happening around the country or state (country would be better, of course, you’d have to consider the fare expenses too, especially with state-to-state traveling), a knack for customer relations and good mathematical ability. Like how much will you profit over your expenses, your cost? If you do this, will you gain more or lose some?

You would be traveling, A LOT. Of course, if you’re really that good, and the products you bought really live up to their name, then have a go for it, much better if you realize you’re good at this and then consider a shift in careers. That way, you can make a map of yearly activities for yourself.

Consider the wares you are going to sell too. Have a good stock and supply for upcoming events when you have established yourself. Earn a good reputation with your “suppliers” (that means the people you brought your good from) because they will be your “customers” once you have moved on to the next festival. Avoid perishables (especially food) unless you’re sure you can sell it.

It would definitely work if your charm can sell ice to Eskimos. But you really don’t have to be THAT good. Success is not an overnight thing. Try and try, improve and learn the ropes, the tricks of the trade. If you are forthright dedicated to this, you are sure to succeed.

Auctions are common blockbuster hits during craft fairs. Auctions are just that, the usual bidding and all that jazz. You could go for a dramatic auction, or you could go for a simple one. The main theme is players bid to buy something at prices that escalate by the minute, depending on how far the buyer’s budget can stretch.

There are different themes that revolve around auctions, with most themes usually ranging from the esoteric (like very old antiques) to the more outlandish and the weird. If you want to join the auction, then a minimum of at least ten items of interest should be brought. These ten items should be varied and interesting enough to be able to tickle the interest of different groups of people. Auctions are that broad in their scope of stimulating the audience’s fancy.

Auctions are just as costly as, even more than, setting up your booth. It is like walking on fire, you have to watch out where you step and hope that you don’t get burned in the process. Failed auctions are both very unprofitable events, one that you hope you will never encounter, so make sure to prepare as much as possible. For advertising, media like flyers, posters, banners and signs are one way to attract attention (public auctions are a bit of a rarity nowadays). And make sure to prepare as much by visiting the site beforehand, setting everything up, and making sure that no hitches or delays are encountered during the event.

Keep your auctioneers nearby by making sure the event is as interesting as possible. Concession stands would make it easier for them to stay in their places instead of having to walk long distances from your place. Make sure that everything is in working order; the mics are working, the items are ordered and tagged, the chairs aren’t crooked and everyone can hear you when you speak. Directions for where the site is should be posted to guide newcomers and if the event should be held outside, prepare for when it rains.

Auctions can rake you lots or little of money depending on the profitability and rarity of the item. You might win big or lose big with a rare baseball card, but then you could get away with an antique novelty cap. Be prepared to face these types of situations early on. Learn from your auctions thereafter. Learn strategies how to rile up people into bidding more, and bring the heat of the situation up a notch more. The intensity can carry away most people into spending more before they realize what they are doing.

Business just is not business without the proper trading and the proper people to market it to. Oftentimes, great ideas are thrown in to the slump because of failed marketing and for other reasons as well. It is not sometimes with the proprietor or the entrepreneur but also with the market itself. Why, is there something wrong with the market?

Of course, half of the business depends upon the customer. Upon the market itself. It sometimes is not in your power to manipulate the market, but you sure can manipulate your business to fit your market.

The most common fault most businesses experience is that they do not determine the market type that they are in right now. Often, it’s a dive to the unknown, with you not knowing what you’re position in the market is. You need determination of self, determination of others and determination of what the current market situation is.

Market situation being the current condition and situation of the customers. This includes certain demands, dislikes, wants and needs of the customers. It is your company, your job, to fulfill those demands and needs. Certainly, include wants in there too. Because you have to set it into the folks out there that they need you, not the other way around.

Check the age group, the demography, everything that can influence the buyer’s taste and judgments. Certainly a teen customer would generally be more liberated in spending rather than a tight-middle-aged earner, right? Work this knowledge to your advantage.