......by a coin club representative inquiring on if you would be interested in attending our annual show? Just curious on what would be the most effective way to introduce myself and break the ice but still gear the conversation toward my goal? I am specifically talking about dealers who haven't ever attended our show or it's been many years and the contacts wouldn't even be the same. I am trying to learn what dealers expect when they get these phone calls. What do they want you want to hear?
First of all, I would not contact them by phone or email. Write a letter that they can hold in their hand, that answers all kinds of questions, especially security and setup, prices, table size, lighting, coverings, food, snacks, parking, motels, and whether the show normally has state sales tax zombies prowling around. THEN comes a followup phone call. If they're busy, they'll forget the details of a phone call in 30 seconds. When I did stamp shows, I pretty much ignored phone calls.
I like this strategy, compose a letter giving the details and follow-up with a phone call. Anyone have anything else to add on how you prefer being approached to attend shows?
As a dealer, I like to be approached by people with huge wads of cash and willing to spend it!!! I couldn't resist, sorry.
Approach me with facts not fluff. email or mail me the following information. provide information about your state sales tax provide information on how to obtain the proper licenses or permits how many dealer tables at your show how many potential customers were at your last show how long has your show been at this location where do you advertise, list of web sites, flyers, trade publications who are the dealers that set up at your last show who are the dealers that are setting up at your next show how much is a table, any volume discount on multiple tables offer me a first time 25-50% off the table fees to get me in the door provide a list of hotels near the show provide a list of restaurants near the show provide a list of show reports that someone else wrote about your show then call me, its the only way you know for sure I received your message
Yes, that is a much better list than mine, and all answers are 100% essential. If the show chairman and his helpers are too "busy" to send such a letter, then it's a big fat PASS until next year, and maybe forever. CoinZip "gets it"!
I put on 5 shows a year including one next weekend at the Domain Hotel in Sunnyvale. Some excellent suggestions here. I would add that it is better to talk with a dealer in person and be prepared with a bourse app, floor plan and summary of advertising and promotion. Many of my current and perspective coin show dealers visit my web site, NorCalCoinShows.com, to see the list of show dealers by location and table number. I also maintain a Coin Shop page to support my dealers beyond the show dates. It's been a strong selling point.
NorCal just brought up another good idea that I left out on the list I made. The funny thing is we do this for our shows, yet I didn't think to add it to the list. provide information about your state sales tax provide information on how to obtain the proper licenses or permits how many dealer tables at your show how many potential customers were at your last show how long has your show been at this location where do you advertise, list of web sites, flyers, trade publications who are the dealers that set up at your last show who are the dealers that are setting up at your next show how much is a table, any volume discount on multiple tables offer me a first time 25-50% off the table fees to get me in the door provide a list of hotels near the show provide a list of restaurants near the show provide a list of show reports that someone else wrote about your show Floor Plan
