How to engage with people passing your stall!
Be ready to greet passers by. SMILE and gain eye contact.
Firstly let’s get one of my pet hates out of the way… It is heartbreaking seeing exhibitors hiding behind their stand and worse – playing on their phones! This is not the way to attract customers. There is nothing more off putting and I would walk right on by!!
That said, for some of you, engaging with strangers is a scary thought and I bet Iike me, when I first set out in business, knowing what to say as an opening comment did prove tricky, but with practice and a few phrases you feel comfortable with, you will be engaging with everyone!
NOW NOBODY WANTS A PUSHY SALESPERSON...
in fact the main function of a salesperson is to encourage customers to buy. If you want to shift your product then you need to learn first the art of engagement and easing you into helping the customer make up his or her mind.
Once you know and feel comfortable with the words you use, making friendly engagement becomes easy.
For you guys, you have a short window of opportunity at your stand as people pass by.

Here are a few conversation starters focusing particularly on exhibiting at a fair, festival or market:
If it is for themselves – what is it you are seeking? Food Drink or Craft or all three!!
“Once into the conversation you will find it easier to tell your story. Explain how you came to make your product, what inspired you, the technique involved.”

The more you know about the needs and wants of your customer the more you will be able to encourage them to buy. Offer tasters, tell your story of how it came to be, how you got into producing the item.
Asking either /or questions creates engagement and interest.
In Summary
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