The Letterville BullBoard: It's my turn...any suggestions?

This is topic It's my turn...any suggestions? in forum Old Archives at The Letterville BullBoard.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.letterville.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/13/6526.html

Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :

February 9-15 is my companies turn to setup a display in the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center.

Any suggestions on what I should do? The lady running the welcome center said I should have lots of things people can pickup and take with them. I guess that would be business cards, flyers, pens, keychains, etc.

Well I don't have the budget for pens, pencils, etc. but I can handle the flyers, biz cards and maybe even make some magnets up on my friends Edge or some decals too!

Anything else that would cost much that you can think of?

Should I just display my work and some pictures and maybe a couple small physical signs?

Should I have a piece of HDU unfinished for informative reasons?

I've never made my own display so I am clueless. I would really like this to help me out with some sales around here!!

Thanks!

[ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: Amy Brown ]

Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :

Geez I've always wanted to do one of those exhibit thingies! Since you have some time, I'd work on sample signs & put them all over the booth! Then you can take them down & have them for a little office showroom. I'd have a nice portfolio with large photos, plenty of business cards & probably brochures. I remember reading in one of the sign mags how to make brochure holders with digital prints & scraps of PVC (I think that's what it was). Well, like I said that's what I'd do, but then again I've never had this opportunity. Good luck!

[ January 11, 2002: Message edited by: Felix Marcano ]

Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :

Amy, I think the first thing you could do is to send out a press release about your upcomming participation at the visitor center. Cloak the release around the chambers "continuing program of.......etc." Make sure to submit some good pictures of yourself and your work. The problem that I see with this type of effort is that local people don't usually stop into their local visitor center unless you tell them that there is something going on. Local papers may cover the event but it won't see the light of day until you are GONE! Does the Chamber have any goodies to hand out? If not, maybe you could design something that they could BUY from you to promote the Chamber and the businesses in town. I think that some sign samples are good but I would leave the raw materials in the shop. A good portfolio is a must and a basic info sheet on the services you offer and your basic business practices. Hope this gives you some food for thought. Makin Chips and Havin Fun! Joe

Posted by Nevman (Member # 332) on :

It sounds like you're on the right track Amy. You could place the photos of your best work in nice frames mounted on a cloth covered backdrop.The frames could be painted to match one-another, or not.

You could make your own keychains. 3 mil pvc with your logo cut out of vinyl is relatively inexpensive, but they will take some time. Drill a hole and put in the wire circle-key-holder-thingy and there you go.

Here's a funny thought...make them unusually big like 6"x6". People will never thow them away, just move them from place-to-place in the offices. Make sure to drill an extra hole in the top so they can hang it somewhere. Or forget the holes, and bill them as coffee cup coasters.

The magnets are a great idea too.

Good Luck! You'll knock 'em dead!

Posted by Linda Seymour (Member # 1904) on :

Hi Amy,
what an opportunity! The pens are inexpensive if you go to a padprinter or promotional supplier.
Goodluck!

Posted by Luke Scanlan (Member # 2481) on :

How bout this? Clown suit, full make up, one of those sandwich board signs with your web site address on it, & a police megaphone! You could stand outside the place barking out your info & making loads of new contacts! You would probably make the news! Or the nut house, hee hee. If you can't find a clown suit, just do what everyone else here suggested. That might work also. Just trying to help. Good Luck Amy. Let us know how it turns out.

Posted by Linda Silver Eagle (Member # 274) on :

Maybe a theme is in order...like Myths about the sign business yadda yadda

- Signs don't cost money, they make money!

- Show some 3 tier examples of of the customer geting what they "pay for"

Aw, man! This is one incredible opportunity for you!

Go get em Amy! Make us proud!

Posted by bronzeo (Member # 1408) on :

Amy, I have done these things it seems like a million times over the years. Then pens, keychains, etc. are just a freebie for them. What will work best for you (I believe) is a one page nice flyer about your work with a clipped on business card. Most of your real buyers are past the freebie stage anyway. Perhaps some mints, nuts, or candy, to just to help initiate a conversation. It is very important to have at least one killer piece of your work, on display to attract major attention. Good luck, Bronzeo

Posted by Chuck Churchill (Member # 68) on :

It's not clear to me if this place is a visitor information centre or a facility where Chamber of Commerece members hold meetings and events. The profile of the person that will be viewing your display makes a big difference as to what you will put into it.

If they are vistors to the area I would keep your efforts to a minimum. Not many potential customers for a signmaker in visitors.

If local business owners and citizens form the majority of the audience I would show off your best work...likely via photos. Testimonials from satisfied customers would be a big asset. Skip the giveaways. Real prospects want to know what you can do...not get a free keychain. A brochure with a business card attached will do the trick. You might want to consider making a special offer for anyone that gets your card from the Chamber of Commerce Welcomce Centre. Three signs for the price of two or a free logo preparation before the end of March might be the thing that makes them call you.

Good luck with this. Handled right it should generate some work.

Posted by Ken Morse (Member # 1799) on :

Amy, this is a long version, but some of it might help.

What is a Sign? Simply put it is visual communication. When your client inquires about that inexpensive banner or A-frame, do you bump them up with education or, not argue your ideas and sell them what they asked for, knowing it will not communicate the proper message. A good sign maker can do just about anything, but a great sign creator can perceive the problems of existing and future sign marketing and be savvy enough to convince the customer of the advantages of his or her experience with visual graphics. The old saying of you never have a second chance to make a first impression says it all.

When you exhibit at a trade show positioning of your booth is very important, remember location, location, location. Never sit down and smile like the village idiot, yes those feet will hurt, but a change of shoes and a candy jar (Werthers is a home run) will help. A gift at the end of each day if the person drops their business card in the jar encourages interaction and that is your foot in the door. Don’t blow it by not contacting them again, they were interested enough to stop by so you show them your professional interest by returning the effort.

Regarding you work, display a simple photo book of your work. Make sure the photos are of the before and after. Display this book at a tall counter level as it encourages curiosity. The positive reaction will come when their curiosity becomes a comment of satisfaction or inquiry. Behind you should be a contrasting background of vinyl catalogs, foam or other interesting items to retain the attention of the person walking around viewing the entire visual stimulus.

Try to use S.C.O.P.E (not the mouthwash, but that is important)

S- Smile and introduce yourself

C- Card, hand them a business card and look them square into the eyes, make contact

O- Overview, Make small talk about their business or vocation, learn about them.

P- Perception, Find the weakness in their business plan and help them, that’s what they came for.

E-Enjoy, if you don’t have fun than go home, the challenge is great but what a thrill it is to achieve success with another merchant.

UBB.classic™ 6.7.2