Flatstock Howto

[fantasygoat]

It wasn't that long ago that I went totally unprepared to my first Flatstock and narrowly avoided disaster. I've also spent a lot of time talking to new attendees who were in similar conditions. So I thought I would start a thread where the veterans could give pointers on how to go about setting up a professional looking Flatstock booth and keep the problems to a dull roar.

Here's a couple of things I've learned to start it off:

- Bring Zip-ties. API generously offered them for Chicago which was great, so I'm not sure whether this is obsolete advice now, but pretty much my entire booth, no matter where the FS is, is made out of cardboard and zip-ties.

- Have a big sign, and put where you're from on it. People seem to really respond to non-local show posters and it's not always obvious.

- Do something interesting with the setup. Everyone else has three cardboard walls and posters on it, the more you do to make your stuff stand out helps. I've used crazy 70's wallpaper, or even just black fabric.

- Engage customers. It's really tempting to just sit there and watch the traffic flow by but the hard sell works.

Even after 4 shows I'm still a newb, so I'd like to hear from the real veterans who can help the new people out with some hard learned lessons.

[poguemahone]

- Have a big sign,

:insert jones' 10 ft demon giving birth pic here:

[mile44]

Three Flatstocks and two other shows in and all this is sound advice.

Our biggest flaw is poor organization of the stock.
We're hoping to have this fixed by Renegade in September.

Don't forget that you CAN hang things from above. This seemed to work wonders with us ... also, don't block yourselves in behind the table.
Let customers walk in and get close to the goods.

Bring plenty of tape ... and make sure your bags fit the goods BEFORE you get to the booth (doh!)


-D-

[mixtapenostalgia]

ship your stuff early. don't expect shipping companies to do their jobs.

[perkins]

Advice tip #34:
Remember that it's not the sales you'll remember years later- it's the night you went drinking with Vinnie Vastagh.

[lil_tuffy]

I now carry zip-ties with me everywhere.

[8ball]

You need to have some sort of gambling gimmick. Past examples include roulette, blackjack and the ever lovable Lightning Reaction Xtreme Shock Game.

[swampviking]

Tip #32: Hire clowns....they scare off the people that aren't gonna spend money anyway.

Tip #54: Have a petting zoo. Who doesn't like petting zoo's? People who aren't gonna spend a dime, that's who.

[HYNES]

Game Face.

I can fake nice or interested when you have a pocket full of cash.

[swampviking]

Oh, and shiney objects. People LOVE shiney objects.