Quick, y'all! What would you do to make an information booth at a County Fair...

... jump out and grab people's attention?

I'm headed for the grand and glorious Hart County Fair next week, with an informational booth for the city of Munfordville (pop 1,563). You poor saps are just going to have to MISS the Tobacco Spitting Contest and the Pickle Competition. I'll be right there in the thick of it. : )

Here's what I've got on the table already: A fishbowl and entry blanks to collect names and email addresses -- we're giving away a free dinner for the whole family at one of our restaurants. Free bumperstickers. Brochures. A sign.

That's it. Got any ideas that will make us stand out in the crowd? (No, I will not wear a clown outfit.)

If you think of something that might be unique and do-able, let me know here please.

Best Wishes,
Jim Erskine
Homeway Press


Revealed here for the first time: My "real world" alter ego

Okay, no clown outfit ... but, how about you dressed in a Civil War costume? At the Munfordville website you advertise the "The Battle At The Bridge" as a historical site.

It would attract attention and it should be easy to rent one nearby?

I agree with the Civil War costume - whether it be you or someone else dressed in it....but the person doesn't stand within the booth, but out in front a bit into the walkway and the person is handing the ballots out for the draw.

Don't ASK them if they want one, or if they would like to win a free meal...TELL them....

Hand them the ballot - "15 seconds could get you a fantastic 3 course meal FREE in beautiful Munfordville". Also have a pocketful of suckers for the kids - giving a kid a sucker has a positive effect on the parents...just make sure to ask the parent first if the kids can have a sucker (allergies, etc..) In this case an old fashioned side pack like the soldiers used to carry could house the suckers.

Also hand them the brochure.

Naturally some will decline the ballot, but they will walk away with the brochure.

In my experience with fairs, flea markets and similar shows - if you wait for the people to come in and look, that's what you will be doing - waiting. Grab them and give them a reason to walk over to your booth.

Unfortunately a lot of these venues are becoming more structured and won't allow vendors in the walkway....then it requires some extra creativity to get the people in.

Just thoughts.

Cornell

Hiya Jim!

I'm jealous already.... That tobacco spittin' competition sounds like a "must see"! :)

I'm not sure if this helps.... Back in the misty corners of my memory, I remembered something Jim Straw wrote. He used simple helium balloons....

He said,

"I've never been a Flea Market seller, but ...

Back in my wayward youth, I used fire up the old flivver and drive into Mexico buying Paintings on Velvet for 50 cents to $5 each. Then, I would sell'em on parking lots for from $5 to $50 (good profits at 10%).

Anywho, one of the tricks I used to draw people to my displays was to tie bright-colored helium-filled balloons at the top of my display easels.

Should work just as well at Flea Markets ... people see the colored balloons & think "party time" and come to see what's up.

Lemme know if'n it works ... I'll try to patent it."

That came from Rick Smith's Guerrilla Product Development forum (here's the original post)....

Also.... Gordon was once a "human juke box" at the largest flea market in NE Ohio.... Well, check out the picture! Maybe it will stimulate some ideas! :)

http://www.sowpub.com/cgi-bin/forum/webbbs_config.pl?read=672

- Dien Rice

someone sinks a putt

I’m found to attract attention at events that a simple “putting green,” 3 golf balls, a putter and a bell always works. Ask every person who walks by to test their skill as a golfer. (Ring the bell when they sink a putt) This always attracts a crowd and people will stand in line to get their chance. If you have a local restaurant that could sponsor you, get discount coupons to give away to individuals that sink 3 balls in a row or something like that. It’s easy, it’s fun, and draws a crowd, which in itself draws more people.


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