Stories and Presentation
I have found my self tired and perplexed after a busy weekend. On friday I was at a fair and my candles came with me, for the first time. I wasn't prepared enough for the candles they need a 'story' about them, so that people understand what they are buying, and why they are different to ordinary candles. I had written the story but the presentation of it wasn't quite right yet.Saturday and sunday I was at a Christmas Craft and Gift Fair in New Lanark. It has been a long time since I have had such a duff event. There were 2 other stalls selling chemically coloured artificially fragranced soap. They had a roaring trade compared to me, so a lesson in knowing my market. It is good to step out of my bubble sometimes and relearn that most of the general public still don't get the organic, natural, chemical free products that I lovingly make.
I had got up at 5.30am on the saturday to make a batch of vegan lip balms to take with me, and I did sell a couple of them, not because of the natural ingredients in them, but because the hall was jolly hot and other stallholders lips were in need of nourishment!
I had a good look at my stall and how I present my products, and I think that what worked before my soya candles would be more effective presented in a different way. I have traditionally put like with like ie bath salts together, soap together etc. So, for next weekend's outings I will concentrate on writing stories for the fragrances, and properties of the essential oils used, and I will group my products on a smell with smell basis.
I do hope that blogger will allow me to publish this post, as it hasn't for the last 2 days!
posted by Laura @ 9:19 am
2 Comments:
I look forward to reading the stories.
I made the mistake of assuming that, just because all the events I have been attending are called Christmas Fairs, all the customers are going to be the same. Of course they aren't and some events I have done have been really good and some really bad.
Here is my thoughts on what makes a good Fair.
1. People are personally invited so that they have a connection to the event before they even get there.
2. There is a sense of generosity - they feel welcomed, rather than fleeced.
3. It is specifically billed as a shopping event with an effort having been made to get a good selection of stallholders showing good quality unique items that you can't get in Tesco.
4. It isn't a PTA or similar fundraiser - I know, I know I help to organise these things but the people there to support the PTA or whatever will spend their money on raffle tickets and icing digestive biscuits as well they should!
I have great hopes of the Green Gallery at Home Fair on 1st and 2nd December - I think that it is the kind of event where I would like to do MY Christmas shopping. becky has just dropped some fliers round - so one of Katie's jobs will be folding them so that they can go out in my mailing
J x
Well that would be both of us looking forward to the stories, Jane. When I comitted to writing stories they were flowing like a very full river. But.....when it comes to writing them down they go!!!
Your thoughts on the fairs are really welcome, I do need to do more business at less places.
L~x
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