Chip’s Tips
A quick guide to success at the Out West Art Show!
These are just some of the ideas I have used or seen to help make your experience at the OWAS successful. Feel free to share with your friends ;0)
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Passion sells! Bring it in large quantities, people want to buy “the story”, not just the visual.
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Take the time to set up a credit card account on your phone. There are several to choose from and you don’t want to inhibit a sale because you don’t take plastic…
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A shower rod (black or brown) and small, double sided sign (L24x12H works well) for the hall way outside your room. I use a couple cheap battery lights stuck on the sign for added light to make it pop.
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Get your forms filled out in advance… here’s the link: http://www.outwestartshow.net/forms
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Make a label with your room number to put on the back of your business card.
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Use a tablet (I have a TV) with a slideshow of your process and work to draw buyer into your room.
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Create a memorable statement about your work and post it in your room: “My paint is 2300 degrees, my brushes are cast iron”
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Rooms get hot, turn on the air conditioner BEFORE you set up your panels.
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SHARE (at the very least) and invest some marketing on Social media! Last year I spent $100 boosting Facebook posts and had at least 20 people comment that it was one of the reasons they stopped by my room.
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Mary Ann Cherry is offering free video creation – cherryfineart@cableone.net Get ahold of her!!
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Even if you have fifty good paintings, do not display them all. I have heard customers say that a room with floor to ceiling art is confusing and they don’t know where to look, get overwhelmed and leave.
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Bring easy to eat snacks for the public and attractive dishes or plates to serve them on.
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Bring an empty vase and visit the local supermarket for flowers to display at your room's entry.
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Invest in a small, wireless speaker for the room, a little music can set a festive tone!
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Select a piece in advance, to hang in the “Living Catalog Event”, Wednesday night. You will hang it near the stage for a few hours and then take it back to your room to sell.
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Keep some thank you notes in the room. When you sell a piece, write out the thank you as soon as they leave, so you remember. Post them all at the end of the week with a business card. Buyers will think it is awesome. (I doodle a little drawing inside)