Are you taking part in a maker’s market or arts and crafts fair this year? If yes, I am high-fiving you for getting all of your stuff ready for sale. I know it can take hours and days to make everything that’s needed and to fully prepare for an in-person event like that.
And, from having done this kind of temporary event in the past, I know that sometimes when you show up for it, it can feel like you’re barely crawling across the finish line. You’re exhausted. And you’ve probably been burning the midnight oil or squeezing in prep work in every tiny crevice of time you’ve had.
It makes sense that you might be feeling ready for the event to be over before it’s started. I totally understand that. But if you’re like me and a lot of my clients, you’re committed to dig deep and keep going so you can see all of that effort turn into sales.
However, it’s easy to let that exhaustion creep into your booth, table or studio because it’s a very real thing to feel. Especially by the time you show up, un-pack and get everything ready for visitors.
That tired energy is dangerous for a maker or artist who’s been waiting and preparing for the holiday market or open studio event for sooooo long. You’ve probably experienced how low energy like that is something that spreads and how people can feel it the moment they walk into the room.
So, how do you keep your exhausted energy from crushing your sales?
You have a tool at your disposal that is 100% available for you to use. It’s pretty easy to wield once you practice a little. And it can make all the difference in how much you sell and how much fun you have during an in-person event like a holiday craft market or artisan fair.
What is it?
Your body language. It’s built into you and you have 100% control over it as long as you’re mindful about it. And, it can change how successful your next market or open studio is.
The biggest mistake I see with body language during an open studio or art market event is that artists and makers don’t look at the potential buyers that visit their booth or table. I know it seems odd to think that this happens but take a look at the next market you visit.
Who greets you?
Who makes you feel welcome?
Conversely, who makes you feel like you don’t really want to visit their booth?
If you feel like you could improve your body language game during your next in-person open studio or art market, here are three things you can easily do, no matter how tired you are from all of the work leading up to it:
Keep your arms uncrossed.
Even if you’re cold or that’s the most comfortable way to stand or sit, uncross your arms! It creates an unintentional communication barrier that can prevent people from feeling comfortable to start a conversation with you.
Stand in front of your table instead of behind it.
Position yourself so you’re standing or seated to the side of your main table or toward the front of your booth area. That way you can easily greet people without having a table between you and your visitors. Staying behind a table can make it easy to slip into a more relaxed and less professional body language. Physically moving your body to be next to your table or to be greeting people at the front of your space really helps to avoid this accidental body language barrier.
If standing for long periods of time isn’t a fit for your body, I know it’s not for many people, an alternative is to find a tall chair or stool and position it in the same way, to the side or front of your area.
Keep your hands busy.
You can work on a creative project if you need something to do with your hands. This will keep your hands on the table vs. below it. Sitting with your hands below the table subtly indicates in body language that you’re hiding something, even if you’re not.
Keeping your hands busy can also be a great way to demonstrate how your work is made which allows buyers to appreciate it even more. They often don’t get to see and understand all that goes into a piece so this is helpful.
One time during a group open studio event that I was participating in, we passed around a piece that we each drew on. It kept us occupied by keeping our hands busy and helped to avoid any awkwardness of giving too much attention to a visitor. It allowed us to give them space to look and a way to have a conversation starter when they were open to talking.
The question to ask yourself during an event is: are you holding yourself in a way that comes across as open and inviting or are you catching yourself slipping into stances that are less open and more barrier-creating?
You’ve now got three easy ways to to remove any accidental communication barriers so you can come across as a more inviting space for shoppers to visit and purchase your work! Even if you’re exhausted from preparing for the event.
Have you ever noticed yourself looking at your phone too much or crossing your arms? If so, what can you do to have better body language at your next event?
I know I always catch myself slouching in a chair. So I wind up standing most of the time. How about you? Leave me a note in the comments to let me know what your go-to body posture is during events like this.
Cheers,
Kate