Over the years, I decided to learn from my travels. I learn best from writing down ideas and observations. They tend to stick better in my mind and I can go back and reference them. So without further ado, Here they are:
10. It is completely different visiting a Converence on the other side of the table. Wow, trying to be the eye catching booth just to get people to stop and listen, is a challenge.
9. Trying to visit with friends conflicts with the need to sell your stuff. The desire to see and talk to those who know me and the need to get people to notice the booth/book has left me in emotional knots.
8. If I leave the table for any reason, I am potentially losing sales. Man, that scene from Pursuit of Happyness spoke loudly to me!
7. Keep your space simple. Little things, little details will draw way more interest than flashing lights and loud noises. We had constant interest from everyone who passed the booth. I don't know how we could have handled more people with the level of interaction we did.
6. Booth babes always work, maybe a little too well. The phenomena of returning people happens more often, specifically, those who do not purchase a book. I guess this must be factored into the complete picture of success of the booth.
5. Location, location, location works for booth placement as well. I had the best placement on the whole floor. An intensely talented graphic artist was on my right and Shreveport's fine artists were on my left. I had so much overflow that it really made my first experience quite pleasant.
4. It is amazing how smiling and saying hello to everyone who passed led to sales. Thanks Becky for teaching me to be cheerfully pleasant to each and every person who passed the booth.
3. Never, never judge whether a person is interested in what you have to sale by the way they look. "Don't judge a book by its cover," applies to people more than books.
2. It is necessary to rely on those who have more experience and different talents than you. I would have sat there like a bump on a log with a pile of books if it were not for Becky and Andy. Engaging in a working partnership with these two chronically talented and encouraging people is the second best decision I have ever made. When you see me, ask me what my first best decision is...
1. Having people show sincere interest in my work encourages me in ways that I cannot express, and that is saying something. Thank you to every person who stopped and talked with us, with my deepest appreciation, thanks to everyone who took a chance on an unknown author and his debut opus.
I hope that these encourage and enlighten you as they have me. As I continue to travel to do these wonderful events, I truly hope to see you there.
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