[TheForge] Suggestions, please

[Grover Richardson]

A couple of thoughts:::

I know a smith (on this list<G>) who did bunches of demos, all waiting for
someone to come along and ask for him to make that big thing which would
make a lot of money.  As I remember, it was a fancy table<G>.  Never
happened.

Second, I have put out over (rough guess) 800 business cards at similar
events.  Never ever, not ever, not one call from the business cards.  So
leave a few out, when they are gone, leave the empty holder, then find one
in the pocket somewhere when someone who appears to be really interested
wants one.  We have taken to putting business cards on the wife's textiles.
The back of the card has the name of the item, description, and price.
Double duty.  If someone buys the item and doesn't want the card, we save
it<G>.

Then another smith I know got a phone call from a sign on the side of his
truck.

Good luck.

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Daniel Crowther
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:57 AM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Suggestions, please


Phlip,

Which Renn Faire?  I know there's a new one trying to open up in Vernon, VT.

But definitely think small, quick, cheap (especially if you won't be able 
to take credit cards there) possibly interspersed with some more 
expensive/complex items made at home.

- Small allows the customer 'touchy feely'.  This works really great for 
things that have many bends, curls, twists, etc.
- Quick keeps their attention.  While you may get some people who will 
watch for an hour, most will probably only hang out for 10-15 minutes.
- Cheap is important if you can't take credit cards.  If you're going to 
take checks announce it some how.  Many people assume businesses with 
transient customers won't take checks.  They know they don't have enough 
cash, and never ask if you take checks.
- Finally, be a blacksmith OR a seller but not both simultaneously.  Find 
someone to field product questions and take money OR someone to do the 
demo.  The demo is the main draw, but it also inhibits purchases since 
people don't want to interrupt you to buy.  Having a helper to make sure 
both bases are covered is a must.

Daniel Crowther
Gobae - The Smith
http://www.oakandacorn.com
http://celticclans.oakandacorn.com
http://www.oakandacorn.com/cdbaforum





>I have just been (tentatively) hired for a Renn Faire in June. The deal 
>is, they'll pay my expenses, but in order for me to actually make 
>money, I'll be selling stuff I make. I'd like some ideas, guys, of 
>things that would be sellers, basicly as souvenirs, at such an event- I 
>know several of you have done that sort of thing.
>
>Saint Phlip,
>CoD
>
>"When in doubt, heat it up and hit it with a hammer."
>  Blacksmith's credo.
>
>  If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it is probably not a 
>cat.
>
>Never a horse that cain't be rode,
>And never a rider who cain't be throwed....
>
>
>
>--
>No virus found in this outgoing message.
>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
>Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.6.11 - Release Date: 1/12/05
>
>_______________________________________________
>Manage membership or unsubscribe at: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>theforge mail list group photo site is http://www.photoaccess.com
>Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>password:  anvil
>___________
>
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Manage membership or unsubscribe at: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
>theforge mail list group photo site is http://www.photoaccess.com
>Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
>password:  anvil
>___________

_______________________________________________
Manage membership or unsubscribe at:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
theforge mail list group photo site is http://www.photoaccess.com
Login:  blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
password:  anvil
___________