Hey folks -- as I'm investigating more and more the route of marketing myself, I've come across a couple of neat resources. This comes from the UK's
Small Press Centre.
TEN TIPS FOR EXHIBITORS AT FAIRS OR HOW TO SELL YOURSELF
[li]Get your own people to visit your exhibit (table, stand, booth, stall). Your mailing list, and media contacts and anybody who is sympathetic. You are going to show them your Press at its best. Complaining 'they're weren't enough of the right sort of people' en_title_s you to a free bullet from the organiser.
[li]Use the official publicity. Ask for more in advance if you need it.
[li]Prepare your plan. How will you arrange your table? What will you display and how? What are your _object_ives for the day. Sales? Increasing your mailing list? Getting media exposure? Finding a distributor? A short run printer?
[li]How will you staff the exhibit? Leave time to visit the other tables. Or toilet etc.
[li]Plan how to set up and dismantle. How will you get the stuff to your stand? Do not expect the organizer to run your day. Read any instructions you are sent. They aren't compiled for fun.
[li]Be attractive to browsers. If a thousand people attended and none looked at your table you are in the wrong business. If you can't sell, ask yourself why not. Devise a way to break the ice and speak to passers by. They are all potential customers!
[li]Have you brought sufficient leaflets and catalogues to hand out? Have you got a way to discourage freebie-hunters and time-wasters? You do not have to give free courses on how to set up a small press—you paid to run a selling point.
[li]Think of gimmicks. Offer a discount for the fair, say a third off (bookshop discount). Advertise this offer where people see it! Swap and buy from other exhibitors. That way you save on postage, find items unobtainable elsewhere and have less of your stock to carry home. And people may read your stuff!
[li]Read, learn and digest this list (as you have any information sent to you by the Organiser). If you can't be bothered to do so, don't complain and don't expect to waste the fair staffers' time on the day.
[li]Follow up. Make sure you have a reliable procedure for recording names and details of people you want to contact afterwards—and why. Before you forget, write a summary on your performance to which you can refer for next time.
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