Perfecting Your Display

Now that you are at your show and ready to set up, there is one very important thing to consider. What will your display look like? The way you set up your booth is how everyone that passes by will see it. It is your window to the world, and vice versa. Your booth should be colorful, easy to access, and appealing to the eye. When potential customers walk by your booth, there must be something that they will see right away that will draw them in. Otherwise, they will just continue to walk on by.

Your Signs

One good way to draw customers in is signs, of course. A large, easy to read sign is a must. They must know what you are selling, and what the benefits to them are if they buy your items. A key thing to understand is that to sell your product:

• You must make it stand out from other similar products.
• You must set competitive prices.
• Your customer must have some benefit if they purchase your item.
• Your customer must know that they are purchasing a product from a reputable and honest seller.

On your signs, identify what your wares are. If you have a current special running, be sure to post it. Also, be sure to include some benefit to the customer on your sign. Make your sign colorful with large lettering that is easy to read. Avoid cursive or fancy writing that is not easy on the eye. Bold, neat print is usually best. Always put forth your best selling points. That is what will make your item stand out.

Table Covering

When choosing a table covering to display your items, make sure that you choose a covering that will compliment the coloring and brightness of your wares. It also goes without saying that your covering must be clean and free of stains, loose strings, holes, etc. Another point to consider is that if you will be storing boxes or other items under the table during the show, it may be a good idea to get a large table covering that will reach the ground. If it does, it will cover whatever you have stored underneath, and will give your booth a more sleek, clean, and organized look. Just make sure that is isn’t too long, you do not want your customers to trip over your table coverings.

Display

Depending on what you are selling, you may consider purchasing a riser or two for your table top. They are small shelves that look somewhat like a staircase. This makes your display more appealing, and everything will be more visible. Instead of your items being one behind the other, they will all be seen clearly. You could also purchase revolving display racks. If you feel adventurous, you could make your own display shelves by using some scrap wood or heavy duty cardboard. Basically, anything that gets your products closer to eye level is a good idea. It doesn’t matter what you use, as long as it is clean and looks nice. You could even stack old shoe boxes and cover them with some kind of cloth to make risers, as long as they are strong and secure enough to hold your items. If you can be creative, you can find a lot of ways to make your items stand out

Table Set Up

When you set up your tables, make sure that you set them up in a way to make the most of your space. Some spaces at shows can very small, so you want to find a way to set up so that you can fit all of your wares, and that it will not be too crowded when it starts to get busy.

Two important things to remember:

• If you are setting up an enclosed booth, make sure to have at least 2 entrances, or one very wide entrance. If a customer comes in to browse your items, they also need to have an easy exit, especially if other customers enter the booth behind them.
• Do not put any table in the main isle. This is not only a safety hazard, but your items will also be at risk of being bumped off the table and being broken.

Last Words

After reading these tips for a good setup and display, there are just a few more points to consider. When setting up, be very, very cautious of items that can cause accidents. Be careful not to put heavy things too close to table edges. If you have wires or extension cords, keep them off of the floor, or tape them down so that no one will trip over them. Clean up spills immediately so they won’t cause a slippery floor. Make sure that display racks and shelving are not wobbly and check to see that the weight of your items is evenly distributed. You do not want your displays to tip over. Watch out for all fire hazards, sharp edges, etc. Basically, baby proof your booth. When things get busy and crowded, you never know what can happen. You must try to prepare for anything, and have a safe and successful show. Good luck, and remember to have fun!