Creating Amazing Outdoor Booths

We are quickly heading into the season of farmers markets and outdoor festivals! How can you create a beautiful booth display that will stand out in the crowd to increase sales? Here are some tips:

Start by thinking of your booth as an artistic creation and always reassess the impact it has on your customers.

Focus on open, clean, and visible

Especially if you are selling food products, a crisp, clean space is paramount. Create an organized space that is easy for the eyes and feet to maneuver. Shoppers like to view products from the waist up, so avoid displaying your products on the ground or in a place where customers must bend over. Leave plenty of space for people to move around in your booth and create a flow that leads them to a convenient, roomy checkout area. Be careful that the area does not create a bottleneck that could block other customers from entering your booth. Consider that people of all ages and physical abilities will be wandering through the markets, so be mindful of safety and tripping hazards.

 

Use color

Group your items by color and create interesting, vibrant displays. Abundance of product is also key. People love choices and enjoy making selections from a full display. The use of multiple levels will help showcase your products and will lead the eye on a pleasing journey as your customers explore your offerings. If you have your produce under a shaded canopy, choose white fabric over a color, to keep the luscious colors crisp and true. You surely do not want a blue tent that will cast a cool hue on your ripe, red strawberries!

 

 

Create signage

Make sure the name of your business is high on the flap of your tent or canopy. In addition, if your name is not descriptive of what you sell, add that information in a highly visible manner. For instance: If you sell jams and jellies but the name of your business is simply “Delights”, you must make sure that your signage has additional words or images that will lead the right people to your booth. Once people enter your booth, make clear, easy to read signs that indicate prices and identify your products. When doing this, assume customers do not know anything about your product. This process helps you clarify things you might assume your customers know, when in fact, they do not. Signage is also a great way to share interesting tidbits about you and your business philosophy. Photos can be good conversation starters, and people are interested in the story of your business.

 

 

Showcase yourself

You are part of your business and your booth, so remember to dress for the occasion and make visual space for yourself. If you have a color theme, wear shirts or aprons that coordinate. Resist the urge to sit behind a table; stand and greet your customers with smiles and engaging conversation. When customer can personally meet the growers/artisans/purveyors of your business, they begin building a relationship with the brand. P.s., weather can be unpredictable, so bring sunscreen, umbrellas and jackets!

Final thoughts

Before you attend your first event this summer, do a practice run with your booth design and setup. You will be ready to set up quickly and efficiently, with less stress so you can relax and enjoy the events!

On a related topic, the Wyoming SBDC Network’s May webinar will be “The Recipe for Food Related Businesses in Wyoming.” Have you wondered what it would take to take your grandma’s favorite jam recipe and be able to sell that product at a farmer’s market or through a grocery store? Curious about what requirements are needed for opening a restaurant? Maybe you have a green thumb with a surplus of vegetables that you want to sell in summer time?  Rebecca Dow, inspector with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Consumer Health Services, will be covering topics related to food-type businesses in Wyoming, including growing fresh produce, catering, operating restaurants, and manufacturing food products. This will include services the department fulfills like labeling and plan reviews, requirements for different facilities, where to find resources and training opportunities offered through the department.  A time for open questions will be available towards the end of the presentation.

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Susan Jerke is a Regional Director with the Wyoming Small Business Development Network who specializes in marketing materials, graphic design, sustainability, human resources and general small business assistance. Her past work experience includes owning several businesses and working as a marketing director for an economic development organization. She has a B.S. in Business from the University of Mary and is a certified instructor for Franklin Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

When she’s not in the office:

A longtime Wyoming resident, Susan enjoys being an artist, working on DIY projects, and spending time with family.