1.  Unload your cargo carrier (cart, car, van, 18 wheeler, whatever) and put things back where they belong so you know where they are.  The next show is closer than you think (I don’t care if it’s a year away – it’s closer than your think!).  I started with that because I’m doing it first thing tomorrow.  Yes, I am.

2.  Organize all your sales receipts and notes (which you wrote on bright orange sticky notes, right?  so you didn’t lose them), and add names to your data base.  This assumes you didn’t let anyone you talked to get out of the booth without getting their name and contact info for a follow-up, to send them info on something they were curious about, or signed up for a class (which do you prefer:  mail or email?  Just write whichever right here…and hand them your specially designed

information collection form which is, of course, very simple and not at all scarey.  Besides they already love your work and think maybe being in touch with you isn’t a bad idea at all). Letting them leave with just your card (and you with nothing of theirs) is a waste of resources! 

3.  Write personal thank you cards (not emails) to your clients who spent $X or more.  Give them a "gift:"  your business card with a note on the back that they get 10% off their next purchase at a show, or a gallery or whatever you wish to give them.  No one writes personal thank-yous.  You will be remembered for that if for nothing else.

4.  (don’t you love bonuses?!  and you thought you were only getting 3 things!)  Take 5 minutes, or 15 or half a day or even a whole day.  Pat yourself on the back.  Write down 5 things you did spectacularly well, 5 things you learned, and 5 things you probably won’t ever do again…like leave the keys in your unlocked van for 8 hours.  And of course next time you will pay attention to the luxurient poison ivy beneath the azalea bush behind your booth, won’t you (note:  add field guide to native plants to show checklist)? And never, ever again drink not 1 but 2 full 20 oz cups of coffee when you are the only one to watch the booth and you have no one to spell you.

My greatest moments?  the number of women who wanted to wear their new jewelry out of the booth upon purchase, some even taking off the jewelry they had worn in, how spectacular they looked in their new acquisitions, and how feeling good about how they looked changed they way they held themselves as they left.  And how many of them came back again for just one more look.  For this artist, it was awesome!

Do you have favorite art show stories?  Want to share?

thought for the day:  As artists we are a conduit for energy that wishes to manifest.  Someone has called that energy into being.  It is our job to do the work and then get it out there so the person who called it can find it and take it to its true home.  It’s an amazing job and someone has to do it.  Aren’t we the blessed and lucky ones to be so called?!  Tammy V.

(oh lookie!  another bonus!  a 2nd thought for the day!  This must be YOUR day!):  Following up shows people you care about them and that you are intent on maintaining your relationship.  without the follow-up, people either forget about you or assume you don’t care.   Alyson Stanfield, I’d rather be in the studio:  The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion. [ Alyson even gives examples of what to write in Action 10 in the book).

Alyson just happens to have an on-line class (self moderated) on taking care of your collectors starting October 17:  Cultivate Collectors on-line class for artists.  Synchronicity for those of you reading this who, like me, could probably use a few nudges in that direction.  Folks:  this is the #1 money generator for your business.  Someone who has purchased something from you is a best bet to buy again.  You have already manifested something they love.  Give them half a chance and they will return.