Tips for a Great Exhibit Booth Using the Five Senses
If you are selling or promoting your product at booths in craft fairs, art shows, or other venues it is important to have a compelling display. Look on Pinterest, Flickr or other photo sharing services and you will find hundreds of photos of fabulous booths to inspire you. There a variety of ways to improve your booth. As you plan for your booth you want to keep in mind the five senses:
Sight: There are many ways to enhance the visual appeal of your display. If you are at an indoor location consider adding lighting. The focal point should be your product. The theme and the colors used should enhance or highlight your merchandise. It is important to label and price your merchandise and also to have signage to help guide your customer to your products. Effective signs state the obvious is a great suggestion from author Bruce Baker in his book, Show Business.
Don’t forget that your booth is more than just a visual display. Customers will be interacting with your booth through all their senses.
Touch: According to Baker if a customer holds something in their hands they are four times more likely to buy it. Invite your customers to touch your product verbally or with signage.
Sound: Don’t forget to greet you customer verbally. Also be careful with music. Brick and mortar retail is able to use music to set the stage. When you are at a market you need to consider your neighbors.
Smell: Again this is where signage can be helpful. If you have a great smelling product (food, potpourri, or other scented items) use signage to invite your customers to smell it.
Taste: If you have a food product, follow the local regulations and offer samples.
When you hit on a set-up that is effective take a photo or draw a sketch with some notes so you can do it again!
Remember at the heart of your display is you. Make sure your body language is opening and welcoming. Greet people as they arrive. If you are tidying or doing some other random chore, stop and make time.
Resources:
- Bringing Customers In: Retail Layout Secrets from the Big Box Stores by Barbara van Look
- Show Business by Bruce Baker
- Visual Merchandising 101: How to Create Store Designs With High-Converting Displays by Humayun Khan
- Awesome Booth Display Ideas by Renegade Craft Fair
- Behind the Scenes Secrets to a Great Craft Show Booth Layout by Patrice Lewis
Content contributed by Lisa Wedin, AKSourceLink. AKSourceLink is a proud affiliate of U.S.SourceLink, America’s largest resource network for entrepreneurs.
