Need Advice!!!

@Janelle.... You are very welcome.

@John.....I have my taxes and payments taken care of....thanks for the advice



@Douglas.....thank you for all of your advice. You have given me some really great tips. I really appreciate it.



@Harold....I really like your cover you did a great job. Thank you for the tips.

.and here I am in front of my booth at The Christian Brothers Academy art show.

Hya Janelle,

I can't add too much that hasn't already been said here but some of the points such as a guest book, and business cards are a must for any show. I have done more shows than I can count. Made a lot of friends and made some money. But the way to go is with a 10'x10' tent and display racks to hang your paintings or phtographs also a table and a couple of chairs to finish off your display.

Also, I thought you might be interested in seeing this painting I painted for the cover of one of my very favorite books, "The Red Badge Of Couage." A reenactor posed for me. He was a reenactor out of Pennsyvania. I can't remember his last name but his first name was Nick.

@Janelle....I have not done an event with my photography, yet. I have done them in the past when working with a non-profit group and an employer. Always create a checklist of what you will be taking with you, and check it as you pack and unpack. Bring extra pens and paper for yourself and those who will stop by your table. Also, be sure to photograph your setup and take notes on what worked or what to do differently at the next events. Be sure to have change, and have it in a locked change box. Bring plenty of bottled water for yourself and whoever is helping you. Have a chair in front of the table for some to sit down. If possible, talk to the other vendors and see if they will share their experiences at the event. It helps if you have plenty of walking room around the table. If you use a pop up event tent be sure you are careful where you set it up and stake the feet solidly. Be sure to send thank you cards to those who do buy, as well as the persons who helped you get the spot at the event. I hope you have a lot of fun and it is profitable for you.

One other thing are you set up to charge sales tax in your area?

I am sure the state would "appreciate" that VERY much!

Thank you Rich.....I appreciate it

Janelle,

If you have issues with potential bad checks and have no cell phone coverage(smart phones have great apps for this situation!), then have some images from your past shows available for examples of your work and take orders and then, you buy them from FAA and then promise delivery within 2 weeks and your golden!!!

Rich

Janelle,

If you have issues with potential bad checks and have no cell phone coverage(smart phones have great apps for this situation!), then have some images from your past shows available for examples of your work and take orders and then, you buy them from FAA and then promise delivery within 2 weeks and your golden!!!

Rich

Janelle,

If you have issues with potential bad checks and have no cell phone coverage(smart phones have great apps for this situation!), then have some images from your past shows available for examples of your work and take orders and then, you buy them from FAA and then promise delivery within 2 weeks and your golden!!!

Rich

@ Karen......I wish I could get service but most civil war reenactments are out of the way places because we need so much room to reenact the battles however I am going to get a square and if I find an event were I get steady service I plan on using that little booger to its fullest content....lol

@Phyillis.....Thank you for the tip on what bills to have on hand....I am really hoping being set up at this event gets my name out there in the reenacting community and possibly gets me out on the field at some of the larger events.

Guys the only thing about taking a check at a civil war reenactment is that their are people out there who take advantage of vendors who accept checks and also IF someone wrote me a bad check from another state the laws to prosecute sometimes make it hard to get your money and people don't always provide correct information. I know that more than likely I wouldn't get but maybe one or two possible bad checks however it is just not a risk I am willing to take. Also the event will be going on for 3 days so if someone should see something they like they will have time to accquire cash and come back to make a purchase. I just don't want any part of hunting someone down to get payment for my hard work. I wish I had better service there and could take credit card payments....but with there service being so scattered I don't want my customers to have a bad experience waiting for me to find signal or being unable to take credit card payments through out the event because I don't have signal.

Too bad about cell phone reception. I use Square Up on my smart phone as a point of sale for cards. It's a low cost option and the reader is free.

I have done several festivals, they are very fun.... You WILL have several people try to talk you into coming down on your pricing, be prepared in advance so the element of surprise will not overtake you! I usually have at least 20 ones, 8 fives and 4 or 5 ten dollar bills for change. Also, keep a good record of your sales for tax purposes. The really great thing about it is that after each festival, I receive several calls for commissioned work.....So it is a good way to get your work in the public eye. Have fun and good luck!

This per say has nothing to do with this but just me wondering out loud. How many people now a days walk around with checks? I know there are some folks but wonder how many will even have a check on hand to purchase items.

I never have problem with checks even the amount for my paintings is rather high. it also a good way the keep a record of the buyer's address.

Well then you already know which image you will be using.

Roy the PayPal would work if there is net access and/or phone reception.

I wish you luck - but there is NO reason not to take a check - just do like retailer's and get their drivers license info on the check. And IF you have a paypal account - you might consider a paypal account scanner. You are really limiting yourself if you only take cash. JMHO

@Jeffery......I really appreciate your opinion. Alone with thoughts is one of my favorites.........It is powerful image of one of my very dear friends.

or

@Greg......it is a beautiful place and a great place to grow up. I miss it sometimes.


@Jeffery......I am having a tough time choosing....which one would you pick?

Have you decided on which of your images will be the giveaway image?

"My hometown is in Western KY a small town named Cadiz. ...'


Been by/through there quite a few times on my way to the Lakes. :)

@Greg....My hometown is in Western KY a small town named Cadiz. However I know West Point still does living histories and may still do reenactments from time to time I am not 100% sure.


@Jeffery......I will ask for at least a cell phone number to contact the winner. I won't require you to be present to win because if nothing else I can leave the prize with the event sponsors.

Yeah you can let them know if they want they need to at least give a full name and some way to reach them so you can notify the winner of the drawing. I know not everyone will hang around to find out if they won or not.

Already been mentioned, but print up some of the PDF flyers available in your gallery. When you say "near" your hometown, are they still doing the reenactment near the West Point / Muldraugh area? I used to see the signs on my way to work many years ago.

@Cricket.......I plan on printing exactly those sizes. I know people coming to a civil war reenactment aren't looking to spend big bucks.....lol However I am like you I love dealing with the public and really putting a face to the buyer. Thank you

@Jeffery......that is a very good point. I don't want to give bad customer service by having people feel as if I mislead them to get their email address'. Maybe I will just do the drawing to attract people to the booth and then have the guest book so that if someone wants to be on my email list they can.

I suggest you bring inventory at a variety of price points. People coming to these types of events are often not prepared to spend big money on artwork, but will happily buy matted and bagged prints (8x10's matted to 11x14, or 11x14 matted to 16x20), and individual cards. I just started doing art fairs/festivals this past fall, and have had a blast! I love selling here online, but there's nothing like the instant gratification of seeing someone enjoy your artwork face to face! Best of luck!

Make up slips that they have to place their name, address and email address on for the drawing. That way if they are not there during the drawing you can contact them. Though I am not sure how best to do this and that is some where on it state by giving their info they are giving you permission to add them to your email list. Then again perhaps just keep that separate so they know for certain what they are signing up for.

@Jeffery.....I have business cards and I will also make some flyers. That is a great idea. Thank you

@Alfred........I thought about a guest book but wasn't sure so maybe I will do that after all. Thanks.

@Karen......I think I may do some type of drawing for a small print...at least maybe that would get traffic into my booth. Thank you for the advice.

Make sure you bring a guest book and let them know if interested you would email them of your future show.

I suppose you can sale items cash only though make sure you have plenty of change on hand. Just make everything even dollar amounts so you don't have to deal with counting out and handing out coins. Besides getting their snail mail address set up a tablet on a table where folks can sign up for your email list. Also on same table have some fliers printed of the PDF files that you can get from here and of course business cards.

I kicked myself for not having a database sign up sheet at my booth:(. Maybe give away a postcard if they give you their info.