Don’t lose sight of your responsiblities
We all have been there. You’re at the end of a three-day art fair and exhausted. Heck, even a one-day event can be exhausting.
You may even have a slightly hoarse voice. Add to that, you just had a long presentation and got really close to selling one of your more expensive pieces to a terrific couple, but alas. No sale. Your feeling somewhat deflated and disappointed and don’t want to go through that again anytime soon.
Your feet hurt, your attention span is stretched thin, and you just want to get home. Then, with under 30 minutes left to go, they enter. You consider how much you have made so far and you are happy – content at least. You see them move in closer and you find yourself wishing they will just browse for a few minutes and leave.
You have hit your limit and barely want to say anything other than hello. You can’t imagine going through another full round of engagement, especially since the last encounter was such an unfruitful ending.
But there they are. They’re drawn to your work and clearly like what they are seeing. They are lingering. They are smiling. One of them turns to you and, with obvious respect and sincerity, says, “Did you do all of this?”
(SIGH…)
Remember your selling purpose.
You are the conduit to their endless future enjoyment. You can choose to become engaged and enthusiastic about their interest. You can help them browse and encourage them to purchase when they find that perfect piece from your collection. Or you can just sit down and hope they go away.
You hold the key to their happiness. Open the door and let them in. No matter what your mood is, your job is to let everyone one in and when they enter your area, SHIFT: be present! Be. Here. Now. They are a clean slate.
Each new person you encounter is a fresh set of emotions standing in front of your work. Whether it is the first encounter of the day or last one of the day, if they love your art, they you must stand ready to help them investigate the possibility of a lifetime of happiness.
Open that door wide and give them the best chance to become a collector. Really and truly, why would you consider doing anything else?
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No truer words were ever spoken. I had this exact circumstance last Monday night as we were closing down after a long hot 3 days. I felt that if I had behaved a little differently, we would have had another happy customer. We had already put in 8 hrs in high heat. I can understand the point.. But, living in a human body that does have a breaking point after all!
WE are not robots! I totally get that Patti. When I think of how beautiful Marty’s work is, I am sure you often have very long days and a hoarse voice!
Ok. Here’s the upside of my story.
After we had broken down our double booth, and I was standing with my hurting feet, a new collector came by to pick up a large piece with his pick up truck.
After I had had a little break and a little food which was enough time to recover somewhat from the day, I sold this collector another even larger picture which was all wrapped up and he hadn’t even considered buying before that moment. He just peaked into the packaging and bought it and took it home. Marty had gone to get our trailer while all this was happening. When he came back to load the large pieces and the one I just sold off the sidewalk was gone, I told him we had been vandalized and someone had made off with the large piece. He believed that for a little while…. you have to have fun when you can!?
Oh my… you little teaser…. Congrats on that sale!
As hard as it when feeling tired and deflated, these are excellent words to remember. I may have to write this on the back of my hand!
Yep… Love the One You’re With!
So true! Even with the booth half torn down, I have seen a latecomer come in, have given them a large (if weary) smile and given them my full attention, and have wrapped up the day with a large sale… I love your “be present” advice McKenna, I am going to try and remember that, no matter how my energy is lagging. Three day shows are especially challenging!
Yes…Wendy! You got it! It’s all about them and you being tired is really not a “selling point”! LOL!