Words That Connect: How to Greet Customers and Spark Sales in Your Booth

I know the thought of dreaded small talk and introducing your brand [aka talking about yourself] to a complete stranger can be enough to induce sweaty armpits.

But does it really need to be so anxiety provoking?

What if you re-framed your mindset and viewed this time as a way to introduce your brand to a new super-fan that you didn't know existed yet.  Your new BFF that you didn't know you needed in your life?

What if you viewed it as a way to help someone, to solve a problem they have with the product(s) you create and sell to make their life more enjoyable, easier, or save them time?

It doesn't need to be a grand theatrical performance [unless that's part of your branding].  But a simple curated greeting and introduction to your brand and products could be the difference between a passer-by and a super-fan that's a customer for life and shares about your biz with others unprompted.

Doesn't the latter sound like it's worth facing the nervous sweat and crafting a beautiful brand introduction?

Key Points

First things first, before we dive into creating your brand pitch, you need to know a few key points before we can put it all together:

1. Business Name
2. Location of Business
3. Who designs and creates the products [i.e. you and/or a team]
4. What exactly it is you make
5. The problem your product solves
6. How to shop your products and/or booth

Now when thinking of the problem that your product solves, it could solve more than one.  Choose what would be the most important factor to your ideal customer.  Which benefit(s) of your products would appeal the most to them?

Putting It Together

This is my favorite way to greet customers in my booth.  You can absolutely tweak my introduction to fit yor branding, or to add your own personal touch! 

I have found that this format has been highly effective in:

• introducing the customer to my brand
• informing the customer of what exactly it is I sell
• how my product(s) can serve them

all without feeling like I'm being salesy or pushy.

You're now going to literally piece all 6 Key Points together in order to create your greeting.

It will sound something like this...

'Welcome to Sienna's Candles!  All of my candles are made here locally in my Nashville studio.  Everything is soy-based so that they burn cleaner and have a longer burn time compared to wax-based candles.  Each scent is available in two sizes, the 12 oz and 32 oz.  All sniffs are free :)'

Not so bad right?  It's not salesy, but it does greet and acknowledge the customer and is informative.

If the customer wants to converse from there then by all means keep the conversation going! 

The more time a customer spends in your booth, the more likely they are to make a purchase.

You can also leave the conversation at the introduction if you choose, or you can ask one of my favorite questions:

Are you shopping for anything special or for anyone in particular?

Then guide them to your corresponding product.

There you have it!

I hope you find this encouraging and are able to put together a simple yet effective greeting for your next craft show!

If you'd like to download a simple worksheet to walk you through this process you can grab that here below!