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Tips to help you stand out in an expo, market or show

You never get a second chance to make a first impression” ~ Will Rogers

I’m not sure I agree with this statement in life. But in a trade show the few seconds it takes for a walk past your booth may be your only chance to attract attention. An effective display of products is your opportunity to show what is great about your products. Your booth display can make all the difference in your success.

So, what makes an effective display? What can get you the results you need? There is no magic formula but there are ways to help get you results. Firstly, take an objective look at your booth, do you see a need for improvement? Do your products look their best? If not, its time to look at trade show tips that can help your products stand out.

  1. Don’t forget to show off your brand. Products may be the main goal but highlighting your brand will emphasize the connection between product and brand well past the trade show.
    1. Branded graphics on banners, displays and other elements serve this purpose.
    2. Marketing materials appropriately placed.
    3. Items such as sign holders, frames, stands can also continue your branded message.
    4. If you have a logo, consider using those theme colors in your overall look to bring it all together.
  2. Lighting plays a part
    1. Spotlighting specific products.
    2. Use LED displays to showcase products and information.
    3. Use lighting around the outside of your exhibit for a more attention grabbing effect.
    4. Mount a light in the vertical space above your booth.
  3. Your product display should be proportionate to size
    1. Arranging products according to size, large products separated or in a small group.
    2. Small products look better arranged in a group to show variety.
    3. Table displays can serve two purposes, as it can double as a demo counter as well.
  4. Always consider negative space
    1. Your products will be more appealing and attractive when not competing for attention.
    2. If your space is cramped, find ways to make it more spacious.
    3. Convert floor displays to wall-mounted or hanging if possible.
  5. Using all your space
    1. Use the outside of your booth to draw in foot traffic. Displaying something interesting so they will consider stopping.
    2. Video or slideshow presentations often draw people in.
  6. Demonstrations
    1. If possible, include a product demonstration, it will draw visitors to your booth and showcase your product.
  7. Promote, promote, promote
    1. Don’t forget to be active on social media during your show. Include using the Stories feature on the various platforms.
    2. Showcase your booth, showing photos and video clips.
    3. Livestream if possible and if you have a demo scheduled be sure to share the schedule.
  8. More on display
    1. Prepare customized elements for your booth well in advance.
    2. Environmental displays that mimic where people might use your product often work well.
    3. Allow people to handle your product, taste or smell if appropriate.
    4. Plants, foliage, a floral or fruit display engages the senses. Nothing wrong with that.
  9. Promotional items
    1. If you are going to do promotional item giveaways, be sure they are high quality.
    2. Would be best if there was a connection to your product or service.

Final thoughts

Think outside the box, be unique and try something you’ve never done. By all means don’t be stuck in a rut. Update and improve your display when necessary.

Business

Being your own boss, is it right for you?

Covid-19 and the economic recession has led to many Americans being out of work. Clearly, the fact is that when working for someone else your financial future is not in your hands.

Having a home-based business and being your own boss, therefore, has wide-ranging appeal. You report to nobody, you set your own hours, determine what you get paid, and eliminate the office politics.

Many feel the flexibility to set your own work schedule, plan time for yourself and meet family obligations is the ultimate reward.

Paul J. Meyer, author of “Pink Slip Proof: How to Control All Future Paychecks” suggests some of the following reasons to start pursuing a home-based business.

  1. Personal freedom
    • Choose the business you want and set your own work hours.
  2. Stress reduction
    • Experience less stress when you are in control. Getting the work done is your goal, not when you do it.
  3. Family Involvement
    • Many times, the talents and resources within the family working together will create a successful business.
  4. Financial Rewards
    • For those who may not be able to get that high paying job, home-based businesses are the ultimate solution. Your income is based on what you’re willing to work for.
  5. Competitive Edge
    • Your low overhead working from home will allow you to keep the money flowing and help you pass those saving on to your customers.
  6. Greater Productivity
    • Productivity from a motivated, enthusiastic employee (yourself) will increase as you are the direct beneficiary of your efforts.
  7. Tax Advantages
    • There are tax deductions available for home-based business owners that can save you money. Nothing wrong with that!

“If all that sounds like a fresh start, a perfect fit, then a home-based business could be your ticket to fulfilling all your dreams and goals,” says Meyer.

For more tips from Paul Meyer, read his book “Pink Slip Proof: How to Control All Future Paychecks” or visit www.pauljmeyer.com.

Business

Preparing for a Market or Show

If you’ve never participated in a craft show or market, this can feel like an insurmountable task. Sometimes to the point where you will simply put it off. Going prepared is the key. These steps can give you the confidence to get through the first one and allow you to set up a system to use each time you venture out.

First things first, prepare a list of items you will need in addition to your stock. Keep adding and editing as time goes on. Don’t forget to bring cash for change, your mobile phone, your Square or other type of credit card processing app. Write everything down.

Secondly, be sure you know what is provided to the vendors. Will they provide tables? If you need electricity, will they have easy access for all? Many shows will require insurance, do they cover that? Be sure to do your research on the show website or email the coordinators.

Steps to take:
  1. Prepare your stock
    • Start early to prepare your stock. You will need enough stock to assure your stall always looks fresh.
  2. Tune and fine-tune your display
    • The presentation of your product is how your customer sees your brand. If it’s boring and not interesting they will more than likely keep walking. Draw up your idea and prepare a mockup. Get feedback and help from your friends.
  3. Marketing Materials
    • Prepare a brochure or flyer with a little bit of background about yourself and what you do. Do not forget your business card, this information is small and helps your customers remember you and recognize you in the future.
  4. Work in Progress
    • There can be quiet times during the day, if you have space in your display area, you can bring along some work in progress. Besides getting a head start on some pending work, it will keep you busy, and customers love to see what people do to get the result they are looking at.
  5. Get there Early
    • Know where you are going. Plan and research on maps so there’s no chance of you being late or lost. Consider traffic and other unexpected detours you may face. If you are early, I’m sure there will be a café on the way to enjoy or take away some coffee. Most markets send instructions ahead of time on where to park and where to set up. Be sure to get these details well in advance.
  6. Bring a friend
    • Almost any activity is even better with a friend. Find someone to help in exchange for lunch! The day will be much easier with someone for support, bathroom breaks and company on the way home.
  7. Do not forget WATER!
    • Bring plenty of water bottles, you would be surprised that not all markets have water available to purchase. You need to stay hydrated to last the entire day without getting grouchy!
  8. Dress Comfortably
    • Dress comfortably and wear something you feel confident in. Your comfort will help sell your work and meet new people.
  9. Feedback
    • Pay attention to what your potential customers are saying. What positive and negative things people say will help you in your future decisions on markets that you choose to go to and what you choose to show at each.
  10.  Maintain a ledger
    • Write or enter all your sales, including details of how the customer paid either on paper, or your tablet.
  11. Control
    • Practice self-control regarding any purchases you make at the market. Impulse buying is extremely easy in this environment, but your profits will dwindle before you are home. You can take their business cards and look them up when you get home, follow them on social media, and spread the word to your friends to help your fellow marketers.

Finally, as the day wears on, step out in front of your stall, and view it like a customer. Have things been moved, are their candy wrappers left around and handprints here and there. Clean up during the quiet time and make any changes to keep your stall looking it’s best. 

Most Importantly, relax and have fun. You will meet some amazing people and the networking from these events can help you connect with future customers at any time. 

Enjoy your day and let us know how it goes. Email joharsplace@gmail.com.

Business

How To Make The Jump from Employee to Entrepreneur

Free Webinar | September 9

Is pursuing a career as an entrepreneur the right move for you? Kim Perell, an award-winning entrepreneur and business coach, will help you figure it out during this webinar. Register now!

Are you ready to be your own boss? Dream of starting your own business? Being an entrepreneur isn’t for everyone. Join this webinar with award-winning entrepreneur and business coach Kim Perell, to find out if it’s right for you!

In this Webinar you will learn:

  • The truth about entrepreneurship, no one tells you
  • The tough questions you should ask yourself before quitting your day job
  • The 3 biggest challenges transitioning from an employee to entrepreneur.
  • How to prepare to leave and develop a solid action plan before you make the leap
  • The support system every entrepreneur needs to be successful

Register Now

About the Speaker:

Kim Perell is an award-winning digital marketing technology CEO, top US female angel investor, and bestselling author with twenty years of experience taking companies from $0 to annual sales to $1 billion. She sold her last company for $235 million after going broke ten years earlier. She has been named one of AdAge’s Marketing Technology Trailblazers, Business Insider’s Most Powerful Women in Mobile Advertising, and Entrepreneur of the Year by the National Association of Female Executives. Perell has been profiled by The New York Times, Forbes, and more. She lives with her husband and two sets of twins in Miami. Connect with her at https://kimperell.com.

Business

13 Home Business Ideas That Let You Work From Home

This article is from the Shopify Blog. If you haven’t visited Shopify for your website needs you certainly should invest some time in reading their blog. They have ideas, marketing tips, ecommerce information etc. Please visit their blog and take advantage of their expertise. 

The following article excerpt is by Braveen Kumar written in 2020 but has relevant information to this day.

If you’re planning to start a business, you might start thinking about things like renting commercial real estate, commuting to an office, or managing employees.

But with the rise of home businesses, more and more people are discovering ways to use remote work to pursue entrepreneurship, with their business headquartered at home.

In today’s connected world, where technology affords us more flexibility in how and where we work, home-based businesses come in a variety of forms.

Some require you to convert a spare room into a mini-warehouse for products, while others can be run completely online. But generally, you can start these types of businesses using your existing space and means. You can also check our guide on how to make money online to explore more options.

 

Business

12 Creative Business Ideas for Artists

These 12 art business ideas could help you find a way to combine your artistic skills with your business sense.
Jacqueline DeMarco Oct 22, 2020

If you want to combine your creative skills with your entrepreneurial savviness and start a business to leverage your artistic skills, then you’re in luck. In this guide, we’ve rounded up 12 of the best art business ideas for you to consider.

What is a creative art business?

A creative art business can take many shapes, but typically when one thinks of a creative business, they think of creation. Writing, music, design, fashion, and food are just the beginning of the countless creative business options out there. Artists, however, will likely want to focus on small art business ideas that make use of their talents in mediums such as photography, graphic design, calligraphy, and textile creation.

What makes a good art business idea

There are plenty of creative art business ideas out there, but some have more potential to be more lucrative than others. For example, while there is an audience for custom mailboxes that resemble your dog, chances are they don’t hold enough universal appeal to make for a booming business. To find good creative art business ideas, you’ll need to be able to apply your artistic skills to a business that has some legs. You should ask yourself the following questions when considering in-person or online art business ideas.

  • Is there an audience for this business?

  • Can I make a profit and provide an affordable service or product?

  • Does this business capitalize on trends without being a passing fad?

  • How saturated is the chosen market?

  • Who are my competitors?

12 art business ideas

Before you launch your creative business, consider these ideas. For some artists, deciding on a business idea will be a no-brainer, but others may need to take some time to figure out how their skills can translate to a successful business model. Either way, this list should give you some entrepreneurial inspiration.

1. Painting and sculpture

Let’s start with an artistic business almost as old as time. Painting and sculptures are two very traditional art forms for which there will always be a market. After all, we all have blank walls and empty mantels that need a bit of decoration. In today’s day and age, it is easier than ever to sell your art to the masses. Expensive gallery and studio spaces can be swapped for a savvy social media presence or online portfolio, for example. Thanks to the internet and global shipping options, you can easily sell your art online to anyone—which means your potential customer base is truly limitless.

2. Greeting cards

With the right design and copy, greeting cards can be a work of art. Not to mention, the average person buys multiple cards throughout the year for a myriad of occasions. Take your flair for design and your sharp wit and create a line of unique and special greeting cards. Not to mention, starting a greeting card business can be very cost-effective too, as your supplies will be on the cheaper side compared to other art forms. Depending on your business model, you may not need to create them until the order comes in, so you don’t run the risk of unsold inventory. If you can make your customers feel something when they look at your cards, you’ll have them clamoring for more.

3. Candles

A true artist can appreciate the beauty in all of our five senses. Smell is just one way you can contribute creatively. Consider starting a candle business that combines beautiful glassware with irresistible scents. A good candle expertly mixes style, design, and scent in a way that can transport a customer. Be warned, this is a saturated market, so you’ll really need to tap into your creative side if you want to stand out amongst the crowd.

4. Antique curation

Technical skill is not the only way to make use of your creative side. If you don’t want to create art yourself, why not use your taste to your advantage? There are always customers looking for special vintage decor and art pieces, but not everyone has the time or resources to uncover antiques. By starting a business that curates antiques, whether in a store or online, you can do the fun, but sometimes dirty, work of digging through thrift shops and estate sales to find the best pieces. Your customers will be willing to pay for the convenience of you using your good eye to find the right styles.

5. Art consultant

Similar to curating antiques, you can use your taste to build a business while pursuing your passions. Art consultants help customers find the right art pieces for their personal collections. They have to be art experts (we’re looking at all you art history majors) and have a pulse on what’s happening in the art market. Word-of-mouth marketing will be an important aspect of promoting this type of business, but once you have a few happy customers, you can look forward to your business gaining momentum from there.

6. Graphic design

We live in a digital world, which means digital art is equally important. Starting a graphic design business is a great way to flex your creative muscles while also providing a valuable service to businesses. You can work on branding campaigns by creating logos or social media graphics for businesses, help design products, refresh websites, or sell design templates you create. From super fun and creative projects to B2B focused sales materials, there is no shortage of work for graphic designers to apply their creativity to.

7. Calligraphy

Beautiful penmanship is one thing, but calligraphy is a next-level skill that not many people have bragging rights to. Calligraphy is used in many art forms, as well as products such as wedding invitations and place cards. Both consumers and businesses alike need beautiful calligraphy services, so consider starting a freelance calligraphy business to serve these various needs.

8. Tattoo artist (Henna)

Tattoos continue to gain popularity and people are willing to spend a good chunk of change for a high-quality tattoo. Of course, being a tattoo artist requires some major skills and a very steady hand—it’s an art form through and through. So, if you have the skills and want to create artwork that will stay with a person for their entire lives, this may just be the art business idea for you.

9. Art director

The title art director can encompass a variety of jobs. Some art directors help create films, others design magazine layouts, some plan massive marketing campaigns, and others oversee the entire branding for a company. These are just a few of many examples of jobs that art directors do, but what most have in common is they plan the overall design for a project, whatever that may look like. If you have a passion for styling, photography, graphic design, and typography, then being an art director may just help you combine all of your creative interests.

10. Photographer

Photography has long been considered an art form and it’s one that is increasingly appreciated in our social-media-obsessed age. If you’re interested in starting a photography business, you have a range of options. You can sell nature or travel photography to media outlets or tourism boards; photograph events, such as weddings, birth announcements, parties, and more; or you can work for a product-based business to photograph their wares to use on their website or promotional material. Your options are varied, so this creative business can be a great fit for many types of artists.

11. Branding consultant

Every business needs strong branding if they want to send a clear and memorable message to their customers. While many larger businesses have branding experts in house, smaller businesses may need a little help in the branding department. Like many creative business ideas, branding consulting can combine design, photography, and copy skills—so this is the perfect career for someone who likes to work on the complete picture of a creative project. By helping businesses make a name for themselves, you can make a lucrative career in the arts.

12. Art teacher

If you have any of the creative skills mentioned previously in this list, then you can also consider spreading your knowledge by teaching them to others. Whether that be hosting a still life painting class with 30 pupils or tutoring students one-on-one in the art of calligraphy. You could offer digital art classes or create educational social media content. You may also create courses that other teachers can use in their classes. Find the teaching method that works for you and spread the word about your new business.