I published my first book “Children In The Outdoors”, Vol. I in 1987 and since that time I have spent a considerable amount of time sitting in booths at craft fairs, county fairs, town celebrations, etc. It’s my favorite way to market my books.

If my Clinton High School math is correct that means I have had thirty-one years of booth sitting experience. So I’ve decided it’s time to vent a little. After thirty-one years having shoppers pass by my booth I have developed some pet-peeves concerning their behavior or lack of behavior.

Think of this blog as a help to you as you attend your next craft fair event. Take my shopper’s critique not as a criticism but as suggestions on how to respond to those poor souls who have been sitting for hours behind tables piled high with items they hope will attract you and your pocket book. 🙂

All we booth people ask from you shoppers are three things; eye contact, interest and positive comments.

The biggest eye contact offender is the person who walks by my booth and does not even look at my booth. I could be sitting buck naked in the chair and they would never notice. Of course in a situation like that not being noticed would be a good thing. 🙂

Hopefully you can quickly erase the image of that last comment from your mind!

I am seriously considering getting a plastic straw and  a bag of pea seeds and begin pelting the non-lookers in the back of the head. When they turn around I will give them an innocent wave and say, “Nasty flies are biting today. Interested in a children’s book?”

Then there are those whom the booth catches their eye and they slow walk by staring at the variety of books. But as soon as I speak to them they act like they didn’t know I was there, our eyes meet for only a milli-second and off they scamper.

But I am not discouraged by shopper’s behavior because for several painful summers I was an insurance salesman. They were the longest summers of my life but I did learn one valuable bit of information. My supervisor reminded me that you have to see a certain number of clientele before the interested one comes along.

So the shoppers that failed to catch my eye I assume were the clientele that needed to pass by before the really interested folks made their appearance!

The second characteristic booth dwellers would like to see from shoppers is an interest in what is being offered for sale. When I have a new book published an article appears in the local newspaper so everyone in the community knows about it. So I am constantly mystified when friends and acquaintances stop by the booth and visit. But their gaze never drops to look at the new book on the booth table.

You remember that old rule in the stores that says, “you break it you buy it!”  I’m wondering if those visiting folks think a similar rule applies for books, “You look at it you buy it!” 🙂

I’ve had school teachers whom I would expect to have a natural interest in a newly published book not even touch the new book. Also people whom I have not seen for years will stop and visit and the books are completely new to them. They too will completely ignore my seven books. I imagine they too think recognition means obligation to buy.

Let’s assume that I was heart surgeon with a booth demonstrating the correct technique in heart transplants. Do you suppose physicians and nurses would stop by and visit without observing my technique? I would expect such comments as, “look at the size of that aorta”, “my what fine stitching” or “you make great incisions”.

But readers can’t bring themselves to view and enjoy the written word. Their behavior continues to amaze me.

Positive comments are always day brighteners for the booth trapped entrepreneur. “Congratulations on your new book” is a nice comment. “The art work is beautiful in this book,” always brings a smile. “My granddaughter reads your book every night before bedtime,” really puts a smile on an author’s face.

Then come the disheartening ones. “We already have too many books at home!” “The kids prefer to use the machines now.” “Our grandchildren are too old.” “Our children are too young.” “I don’t want to get a book now and carry it around the grounds. I’ll come back before we leave.” They seldom do! 🙁

But all this mistreatment by shoppers is quickly forgotten when I spy someone, usually a grandmother, fixating on my table and pushing her way through the throngs of people. Her facial expression indicates she is on a mission and my books are where she needs to be.

As she approaches she reaches out with her hands and ever so gently and lovingly picks up one of my books to examine. The clientele that I have been hoping for has just arrived. She is a book lover and grandchild lover all rolled into one. There is no sales pitch needed as the book sells itself. That experience makes the hours behind the table all worth it! 🙂

I hope this blog has made you reconsider the plight of the persons behind the tables at all those craft fairs, county fairs and other celebrations too numerous to mention. Give them a smile, show an interest in their wares and end with a positive comment like “I hope you sell out!” I know that would make me so happy I might even come around my table and give you a great big hug. 🙂

Now I’ve got one more job to do before my next county fair. I’ve got to go to the Dollar Store and buy a box of plastic straws before our state puts a ban on those pollution causing items. I think I’ve got enough peas left over from my spring gardening to last me this craft fair season. 🙂

Until next time.