This is a great question to ask any buyer or customer that walks into your booth. It only requires a yes or no answer from the buyer, but either response gives you a starting point for conversation.
If they are familiar with your line, you can ask where they’ve seen it before. This can give you valuable insight into your marketing reach.
If they answer no, you can launch into an explanation of your products and processes. It’s a great way to share what’s unique about your work without seeming too pushy.
Either way, you’ve got a great way to engage with a potential buyer.
PS. This works at both wholesale and retail shows.
good one! I also always wonder about using “our” and “we” – does it sound more impressive to a customer if you sound like this big established brand? (or is this just my stupid obsession with semantics?)
hey karen – i think the point about “our” and “we” is a really good one, and i think you can use whatever variation of this question feels most comfortable to you. if you’re at a craft show where it’s really about you as the maker, and you want to ask “are you familiar with my line” i think that’s perfectly acceptable (and perhaps in some cases better)
i like the idea of using our at a trade show, because even though i’m a one-woman show, i like to think of myself as a brand
but by all means, work up a version of that question that feels comfortable coming from your mouth
That’s brilliant! It really is the perfect conversation opener.
Oh, and regarding the “my/our” question above, I prefer “our” even though I’m a one-gal-gig at the moment. I think of the “our” as referring to my future employees and me! 😉
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Good point. As a buyer, I love to chat with the sellers and know about their story.
Regarding the I or We, I’d say it depends on who you are talking to. Sometimes talking about us gives the impression of a ‘real’ business, but it can also seem you are just selling what some other person made…
I’ve heard that “yes/no” questions are not a good ice breaker, but this one is definitely an exception! I’m doing a show this weekend and I am going to try this out. Thanks for the great tip!
i was thinking the same thing, danielle! in retail, i always trained people to ask open-ended questions which are both unnatural and sometimes off-putting to a customer, leaving them stumbling for an answer to an unexpected question. this question is great because it demands an answer & opens so many doors!
I’m definitely in the camp of no “yes/no” questions, so this would be tricky for me, I’ve trained myself for so long to avoid this type of question. I do something similar though, to break the ice, I ask customers “Are you a book lover, or a purse lover?” No one ever says “neither”, and most of the time, the answer is “Both!” and they’re already smiling.
I think if I were doing wholesale shows, the “are you familiar with my line” approach would work better, but at a retail show, it feels awkward, for me at least.
So simple, but such a great ice breaker! I love it. I always struggle with intros and this is perfect for me! Thanks Megan!
I used “We” when I started my business and changed to “I” based on how I like it being on the other side as a customer. It felt more intimate and getting the impression that I will get a better customer service from the artist/owner.
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Great ideas to think about Megan … and wonderful responses.
I’m planning to use some of them at a forthcoming event.
Thank you!
This is really good info. I am just starting to do shows and never know what to say to people expect “hi” and “let me know if you have any questions about my work” This is a great way to draw people in and start talking.
I think it will also makes a me, a newcomer, seem more established if I have a “line” that they may or may not be familiar with. I know they are probably not, being new, but hey……they don’t know that. Have a show this weekend and will definitely try it out. thanks
Great tip!
I participated in a couple of craft shows last summer and found that I had a really hard time making that initial connection with potential customers…
This summer, I will be putting your points into practice. Thanks!
Danielle, Jan and Liz – you’ll have to let us know how using the line works at your upcoming events!