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To The Show?
http://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=41689		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  DannyV [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 4:50 pm ]
Post subject:  To The Show?
Thought I might run this up the flag pole. I'm going to get a table at a musical instrument show on Vancouver Island this weekend. It will be the first time I have done anything like this and I'm hoping to get some advice on things that might be useful to have along with me, any tips that you think might be helpful and anything I might expect. I have 2 fresh guitars that will be for sale. I think I have the set ups done pretty well and I'm not afraid to have them scrutinised. I'm bringing a classical that my daughter owns that I am very happy with. Not really for sale. I'm also going to bring my go to guitar which and is in good shape and I'm pretty happy with. Mostly bringing that just to have something different. I think I'll also bring a uke that's kicking around that's kinda cool. Black top, blue and green burst Maple.

I hope no one minds me asking. It's a new venture for me and I know some of you have been in a few different shows. Anything would be helpful that might fool people into thinking I'm not a total doofus. :lol: ( OK maybe that's a stretch) I don't have a brochure made up but I did get some business cards done.

Thanks,
Danny
Author:  Beth Mayer [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 5:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
No advice at all, Danny, but just wanted to say "good luck" and have fun.
Author:  Alex Kleon [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 5:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
Just wishing you the best, Danny, but if some guy comes around checking intonation with his own tuner, call security!

Alex
Author:  meddlingfool [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
Bring a nice cloth cover for the table. And a way to hold it down. Bring along a few sets of wood, perhaps a braced top. Maybe a fingerboard or bridge blank. Maybe a bent set of sides. Some extra picks. As many business cards as you can. Do your best to have an attractive table with a 'talk through hole'. Put guitars in stands (the base support kind, not the kind with neck rests, they look less cluttered) on the ends of the table, the flat stuff in the middle. Don't put up a barrier between you and the people you want to talk to.

Basically, you're trying to engage dialogue. All the guitar bits are curios and conversation starters.
Be polite, never put down another brand for any reason, it may be that persons Favorite. Never make up answers to questions you don't know, or try to make yourself sound better/more experienced than you are, or they are. And when the guy comes and tells you all about his '73 tele or whatever, unfortunately you will have to grin and bear it . :)

I have buttons that I give away. Great excuse for people to come right up to the table.

Good luck! Maybe I'll see you at the Vancouver show!
Author:  Alain Moisan [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 7:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
meddlingfool wrote:
Bring a nice cloth cover for the table. And a way to hold it down. Bring along a few sets of wood, perhaps a braced top. Maybe a fingerboard or bridge blank. Maybe a bent set of sides. Some extra picks. As many business cards as you can. Do your best to have an attractive table with a 'talk through hole'. Put guitars in stands (the base support kind, not the kind with neck rests, they look less cluttered) on the ends of the table, the flat stuff in the middle. Don't put up a barrier between you and the people you want to talk to.

Basically, you're trying to engage dialogue. All the guitar bits are curios and conversation starters.
Be polite, never put down another brand for any reason, it may be that persons Favorite. Never make up answers to questions you don't know, or try to make yourself sound better/more experienced than you are, or they are. And when the guy comes and tells you all about his '73 tele or whatever, unfortunately you will have to grin and bear it . :)

I have buttons that I give away. Great excuse for people to come right up to the table.

Good luck! Maybe I'll see you at the Vancouver show!


Meddling, you've just summed up Selling 101 in just a few sentences!

Although I'm not sure about the wood samples and guitar parts. For me, they most often attracted curious people that didn't know anything about guitars than actual customer. Actual potential customers just need to see a (nice) guitar to be attracted to it! Once they are at your table, then start the conversation. Try to make them speak more than you.
Author:  James Ringelspaugh [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
Bring many more business cards than you think you'll need.
Author:  DannyV [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
Thanks Beth! I get to hang out with some of my oldest friends on the planet who live in the neighbourhood. It will be fun.

That's funny Alex! That and I already have a sign made up ,"Please Remove Any Optical Enhancement Devices"

Thanks Ed and Alain! Glad to hear you guys chime in. I'm all about hearing what people have to say and hopefully the guitars will speak for themselves. I hope I can fit in a trip to the City for the guitar show Ed. I've never been to one and it would be a good experience. It would be good to track you down also.

Do you guys find many people come to these events with the hope of buying a guitar?
Author:  DannyV [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 8:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
James Ringelspaugh wrote:
Bring many more business cards than you think you'll need.

Thanks James. This was the boot in the butt to finally get a card made up.

What about photos of past work?
Author:  meddlingfool [ Tue Oct 15, 2013 9:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
No buyers. I only know of one person ever that actually sold one at the shows, amongst my friends. It's all mostly lookie loo's. But you never know. It's more about getting the name recognition and having you talk to people etc.

The 'known' brands are a different story. Used tele? Sold! Strat? Sold! Mostly it's pedals and swap meet type stuff that moves. As of yet, there isn't a lot of participation from the local builders. I try to convince them that if they just come year after year, the show could actually grow into something. But because they don't sell out, they think it's not worth the effort.... idunno
Author:  ChuckB [ Wed Oct 16, 2013 6:16 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
meddlingfool wrote:
No buyers. I only know of one person ever that actually sold one at the shows, amongst my friends. It's all mostly lookie loo's. But you never know. It's more about getting the name recognition and having you talk to people etc.

The 'known' brands are a different story. Used tele? Sold! Strat? Sold! Mostly it's pedals and swap meet type stuff that moves. As of yet, there isn't a lot of participation from the local builders. I try to convince them that if they just come year after year, the show could actually grow into something. But because they don't sell out, they think it's not worth the effort.... idunno


I've had similar experience. But have gained many "potential" future customers.
As far as pictures, I bring my laptop and set up a slide show for those that are interested.

Good luck, and have fun!

Chuck
Author:  Alex Kleon [ Wed Oct 23, 2013 3:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
How'd the show go, Danny?

Alex
Author:  DannyV [ Wed Oct 23, 2013 6:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
It was lots of fun Alex and thanks for asking. Spent the night at some of my oldest friends on the planet. Did some great pickin' the night before. I managed to get set up on time but didn't take a photo of my table. There were lots of great fellow builders. All good folks and I would have to say I enjoyed talking to every person who stopped by. Only complain is that I was too busy to visit and BS as much as I would have liked with people I knew. I had some great players playing my guitars! They did them well. I got to know Bev at Blue Silk Tonewood. She's a great gal and sent me home with a killer Koa set and beauty Bear Claw Top. Both of which I have an affinity for. Thanks Bev! As most people probably say, "I almost sold a guitar". Ha Ha. Made some good contacts also.

Cheers,
Danny
Author:  meddlingfool [ Wed Oct 23, 2013 7:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
Can you name some of the other builders there?
Author:  DannyV [ Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
meddlingfool wrote:
Can you name some of the other builders there?

Well I'll try to go around the room. Joi Guitars as you walked in. Roch ? from Saltspring. Blue Silk Tonewood. Joe Egan who totally does his own thing. Joe Young. Martin VanHumbeck , Denny Durocher with his Tres Cubano, Steve Heizer, a few Summit guys. I think that was most of the guitar type people. There was a guy who did lutes and oud like creations. A harp builder. A guy with a multi string hammer dulcimer type instrument and Bow River Woods. That's all I can remember. I would have liked to spent more time checking everything else out but once the show started there was little time. If you get the chance you should check it out if it goes again next year. The little hamlet of Errington is Vancouver Island at it's best.
Author:  meddlingfool [ Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:05 am ]
Post subject:  Re: To The Show?
I would have showed had I know of it a little earlier.

Give me a heads up next year? I'll certainly have more time for that sort of thing. Unless I have to get *gack* a job....
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