January 20th, 2013 at 12:16 pm » Comments (1)

This was originally written by Tink Boord-Dill and has been edited by myself and others “over the years”

We all understand that it tends to tromp on the toes of those who may have an exeragated opinion about the importance of Pattern Authors to the Yarn Business.

Wheat always suggests the first thing you have to do as “advance mental prep” is knock that chip off your shoulder about how “mistreated and misunderstood” the Crochet Pattern Authoring community is. It really is not so. On the other hand the “attitude” of far to many who think they are Professionals is often a deal killer. Those who publish need no prima donas

Tink or Wheat usually make this post just before a major wholesale to the trade show and other times as needed. It is posted in groups like: DesignerBiz and TNNA-Designers

The information is aimed at those folks who may be attending as designers or observers, rather than as purchasing retail members, but it does have some useful info for everybody. 😉

As always, these are our own views…we all need to make the decisions that are best for our own businesses… 😉
and then accept the consequences good or bad as part of the learning experience.

ATTENDING A TRADE SHOW AS AN OBSERVER/NON BUYER

Let me start by saying that Trade Show Etiquette can become a heated topic. 😉 These comments are based on my experiences and observations, and I will admit to being a bit hard nosed on the subject…I don’t mean to offend anyone…many of these comments are based on the fact that I, myself, did not understand a lot of the subtleties
when I first started exhibiting. My goal here is to minimize the chances of a newbie committing a faux pas.

Exhibitors have looong memories regarding inappropriate Trade Show behavior (probably not fair, but a reality smile). You don’t want to be remembered for sticking your foot in it, you want to be remembered for your professionalism…

ALWAYS REMEMBER – The Exhibitor is here to SELL not BUY –

Also, a brief reminder, if you have attended a Trade Show in the past as a buyer…the circumstances for Observing and/or Exhibiting are radically different, so tailor your behavior accordingly.

First off : Please remember that ATTENDING a Trade Show is NOT a substitute for EXHIBITING…if you want to gain customers, then put up your $$ and EXHIBIT!

Now that we have that out of the way…VBG

Do take your business cards and hand them out in appropriate situations

Have your business cards ready, but wait for a signal from the other person that they are interested in getting one…

Don’t take your product(s) and expect to distribute them/hand them out… if you talk to a distributor/shop owner/whatever, get their business card and send your materials AFTER the Trade Show with a follow-up letter

Be aware that exhibitors are at trade shows for several important reasons 1)to gain industry credibility 2) to network 3) to make sales/develop a shop list…they are investing many $$$ and MUCH time which may not/probably will not be recouped by show sales and they have a limited time to accomplish the above listed goals.

If you see an exhibitor talking with someone else, don’t interrupt them…you don’t know whether this is someone on that exhibitor”s Gotta Talk To list…

If you are talking with an exhibitor and a shop owner comes up, break off the conversation immediately and remove yourself (no apology is needed)…sales are important… EVEN if there are other Sales people in the booth – it may well be that the Buyer who just walked in is of special significance to the person you are speaking with. So Walk Away graciously.

If you are talking with an exhibitor and someone else comes up (not a shop owner), take your cue from the exhibitor…don’t automatically assume that you are invited to join in the conversation…

Be aware that single booths are VERY small, don’t block others from entering, and try not to block the sightlines from the aisle.

Some exhibitors feel strongly against giving out sales materials to people other than potential customers…be aware of this and tread carefully…

Generally, Cameras and photographing are not allowed at the shows. This includes camera phones!
TNNA is quite protetive of its members so be aware that this type of discourtesy can cost you a great deal. Exhibitors talk among themselves.

HOW TO DRESS –

Wear comfortable shoes… nice looking shoes if you can manage it, if not, go comfortable, folks will understand..Wear good presentable clothes…think of this as a 3- 4 day long job interview…there are no Fashion Police but you are trying to sell yourself as a professional… Artistic is OK, especially if you are a designer…there are many ways
to do this, even on a limited budget. BTW, Casual Friday is TOO casual if you are selling yourself as a Designer. 😉

WEAR SOMETHING YOU DESIGNED AND MADE at your top layer

Wear layers…the Convention Halls are very big and it can be difficult to adjust the temperature…
Remove the unoriginal layers as needed and replace with your original.

Hint: If you use an ID holder that hangs from your neck (rather than pins on) you can stash business cards in it.

Keep a pen and paper handy, you’ll want to take notes…and I can tell you without fear of being wrong, you’ll never remember everything you see/observe!

You will be walking miles and miles so try to find a way to carry your stuff as comfortably as possible…sometimes wheeled carts are allowed, and in other venues they are not. ;-(

OUTSIDE OF THE CONVENTION HALL

As much networking goes on outside of the Convention Hall as inside, so be aware of this when traveling on elevators, on shuttles, and in lobbies.

Many times, you may be with folks who are making dinner plans…don’t expect to be invited, and don’t be offended if you aren’t…lots of times, these plans are made months in advance and the purpose may be to have a confidential discussion… these shows are often the ONLY time we get to meet face to face with others in the industry and the
discussion time is important. I have various business cohorts, but we are not joined at the hip during market…1) we have separate businesses and strategies 2) by splitting up for the networking, we can optimize the opportunities available within the limited time constraints…

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS

Approaching companies about their Designer Programs

Remember – they are there to make sales…don’t expect them to drop everything and talk with you about their DP…the reality is, they are doing us a favor by offering product deals…no single designer is going to have an appreciable impact on their product sales….

IN CLOSING

Again, a reminder that these are my opinions/thoughts/observations… no disrespect is meant and I hope that I haven’t offended anyone. These are issues that can be volatile, but which also need to be considered…. and, as always, we all need to make the decisions which are best for ourselves and our businesses…

If I’ve missed something, I hope someone will step in and say so.

Looking forward to hearing your questions, comments, opposing opinions?

Wheat

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If you feel this article will help someone else, please feel free to provide this link:
https://wheatcarr.com/biz/mostly-tink-on-trade-show-etiquette.php

Series topics
– What Is A Trade Show
– Which shows should the Yarn Indie PA/T attend
– What is expected – Dress & Etiquette
–
Started 2003-01-10
Recent Update: 2012-01-20
© 2003-2013 Wheat M Carr with Tink Boord-Dill

Caveat Auctor: This advise has exactly the value you paid for it. Use your best judgement & Hope for the best

October 14th, 2011 at 09:35 am » Comments (1)

Many of us with on-line businesses are often tempted to rely on our suppliers “hosting” product pictures.

Among the lessons I have learned the hard way –

The problem comes when they move or disco that product and suddenly you have products with no image, but taking up space in your inventory.

It may take some time, but it would be in your own self interest to build your own library of images – EVEN if it is just dragging the image to a file for that supplier/product on the machine you use primarily for preparing info for the web.

January 20th, 2010 at 08:41 am » Comments (7)

There seems to be an increasing number of “on-line” communities, some supposedly independent and other that are obviously sponsored by a particular supplier – that really are dedicated to providing a sales venue of real or downloadable products.

Neither is good or bad in it own right – but what is becoming increasingly common to all is that self publishing authors, or those who offer limited production may have tied all their marketing and sales into one or two of these entities.

Still not good or bad, so why this note.

Over the last year or so I have observed several increasingly common occurrences.

First, business oriented publications have had a constant stream of articles and such about the loss of productivity because employees are “surfing the web” on company time – not just lunch hour or breaks.

Those involved with IS (information systems) have always (since before the WWW) had access to “lists” of troublesome IP’s commonly used by the nastier fo spammers – but most companies have been reluctant to get involved in the expense tracking individual sites.

That is changing. As we all try to do more with less, many companies are looking to see how they can make their existing work force more effective.

What are they finding? That are losing far to many hours of work due to employees surfing.

Just think about how often you see ” I will look when I get to work” or “… only have dial up at home so I will upload that from work”

Within the past few weeks, I have read, across many groups and communities, reference to how “suddenly” I cannot access such and so community or web site.

“The technology exists” and because of the need for doing more with less, IS people are now being directed to pay attention to sites that are being accessed thru “work computers”.

To be fair to these businesses, they are just trying to keep their business going and believe it or not keep those employees employed.

For the individual consumer, well, unless they upgrade what they have at home, they will no longer be your customers.

BUT for the Self Publishing Author or Niche Artisan – sorry folks but it is not just me being a control freak,

YOU need to control your distribution

YOU need to control your presence on the web

YOU have to find new and more inventive ways to reach your target audience as well as make sure consumers are aware of your goods and services.

YOU need to make sure that every consumer can access your products and publications easily and effectively.

There is so much more to running your small art inspired business than just producing publication and products.

January 10th, 2010 at 07:44 am » Comments (0)

There are many things related to business and in this case shopping that confuse me. There are almost too many easy ways for the consumer to do a bit of research and get the best price.

Add to that the exponentially increasing number of manufacturers, etc who realize no single retailer of any size can usually carry their “full” line, have set up information and in some cases “shopping opportunities” on the web.

Let me be very clear, I have NO PROBLEM with any single individual deciding to sell their personal stash in any of the many ethical ways from auctions on-line to weekend garage sales.

I am a member/observer in many of these groups and sometimes am very conflicted. On the one hand, I am, a “guest” in the listowner/sellers’ so speaking up is not a polite/politcally correct option.

On the other hand, about 95% of the time, they have obtained the merchandise by using false credentials. I won’t bore you with the nuances, but in most cases, the seller has given, at best misleading and worst, out right lies to gain wholesale accounts.

Some might say this is just Wheat whining because she sells on line but no that is not the issues.

Nor, is it that legitimately set up businesses both brick and click have greater expenses and so may need to ask for more to maintain extra services offered to you.

What confuses me is WHY with the information so available, Consumers would choose to buy in to a situation where they are often paying the same or more than suggested retail AND paying in advance.

Over and over, consumers say they shop on line so they can get what they want and get it now.

So last but not least they have to WAIT for the items they want.

Why not support the independent retailers whether you choose a local shop or an . on-line seller

Or, am I missing something here…

Looking forward to enlightenment

December 6th, 2009 at 15:46 pm » Comments (8)

Wheat Wants To Know,

Your opinions on Postage and Handling when shopping On-Line

It may not change anything, but then again, you never know.

Peace of the Season

Wheat