The 10 Commandments of Vendor Fair Etiquette
- Show up and give yourself enough time to put your display together. Don't show up 10 minutes before the event starts and just start to put up your display. It's disruptive for the other vendors. In addition to this, do not pack up before the end of the event.
- You, as the representative, should be dressed appropriately. That means wearing something with the company logo & a name tag so people can identify you as a vendor and not a random customer perusing a table. Wear nice pants (jeans or a nice pair of slacks) or a skirt and nice (yet comfortable shoes).
- Your table should have appropriate signage so that people know who you represent or if you are an independent business owner. Including some literature for them to take with them - a catalog, business card, flier etc is an excellent way for the customer to take your info with them and page through at a later date. Just make sure it's cost effective for you.
- Make sure your display is colorful, pleasant looking, neat and organized. Also, make sure you have enough product to fill your space or do not over-fill your space.
- SMILE - No one wants to buy from a sourpuss. If you don't look happy to be there, people are not going to want to do business with you & will swing a wide arc around your table.
- Get off your duff - Stand up! Engage your potential customers and recruits. Say "Good Morning and ask how they are doing."
- Don't verbally vomit on your customers - Don't dump your entire spiel on them the minute they approach your table. Let them take a look at the items on your table and engage them with "Good Morning! Have you ever heard of XYZ company?" Start it off as small talk. You will look like a confident business owner.
- LISTEN to the people - Ask them questions. Generate conversation. Build relationships. You may not get a customer, you may get a recruit or just a new friend.
- Network, network, network - You have a great opportunity to get to know other companies, their products and the folks that represent them. It's also a great opportunity to pick up ideas, techniques, learn about other events and make new connections. Pick up some business cards and make sure to reach out to them w/out a sales pitch. You will find some lifelong friends - and customers - this way.
- Support your fellow business owners. My hubby kids me about spending all my profits at the event but by supporting your fellow business owners will bolster relationships where they may purchase from you in kind, refer you to others for sales and it will support the direct sales industry overall. That rep is supporting their family, not big business.
These are some of my tips regarding vendor events. If you have some you would like to share or have comments, I'd love to hear them in the comments.
I'm off to shop now! ~ Stacy
