Having established the purpose of a booth before you register for any booth here are some rules and regulations you need to be aware of (my apologies for the length!):
Who is eligible to have a booth?
Consultants with a minimum of $500 in sales in the three months prior to the event, or who are within their incentive period are eligible to participate in the booth program.
Consultants with a minimum of $500 in sales in the three months prior to the event, or who are within their incentive period are eligible to participate in the booth program.
Location
A consultant should live within a 150-mile radius of the booth location. If there are no consultants within that area then a consultant can register for the booth with the intent of building a local team to service that area.
booths with traveling locations (the event location changes) are retained and serviced by the consultant from the previous year.
A consultant should live within a 150-mile radius of the booth location. If there are no consultants within that area then a consultant can register for the booth with the intent of building a local team to service that area.
booths with traveling locations (the event location changes) are retained and serviced by the consultant from the previous year.
Booth previously held by Consultant
If you held a booth at an event the previous year and are still located within 150 miles, you have first choice to register for the current year. However, you must register a minimum of 30 days prior to the event being held. After that time registration is open to other Consultants.
***If there is a registration deadline for a particular event the 30 rule does not apply***
If you held a booth at an event the previous year and are still located within 150 miles, you have first choice to register for the current year. However, you must register a minimum of 30 days prior to the event being held. After that time registration is open to other Consultants.
***If there is a registration deadline for a particular event the 30 rule does not apply***
Booth event held at a listed school
If a school or library benefits from a booth, the listing Educational Consultant (EC) has right of first refusal to that event. If an OUTSIDE organization rents or uses school/library property where the school/library does not receive benefit, any Consultant may register for the event. However, if the school/library is listed by an EC, any leads generated that would benefit the school/library are to be passed to the listing EC. If the school/library is not listed at the time a booth is reserved, any consultant may register for the booth.
If a school or library benefits from a booth, the listing Educational Consultant (EC) has right of first refusal to that event. If an OUTSIDE organization rents or uses school/library property where the school/library does not receive benefit, any Consultant may register for the event. However, if the school/library is listed by an EC, any leads generated that would benefit the school/library are to be passed to the listing EC. If the school/library is not listed at the time a booth is reserved, any consultant may register for the booth.
Ethical Practices
When booking and attending a booth event you are representing Usborne Books & More and it is crucial for you to behave in a professional manner. The following steps must be adhered to:
When booking and attending a booth event you are representing Usborne Books & More and it is crucial for you to behave in a professional manner. The following steps must be adhered to:
Contacting the booth organization
When you contact an organization to obtain a booth, OR if you are contacted by an organization, you must enquire if an Usborne Books & More representative has already registered to attend.
• If the answer is YES, do not proceed further.
• If the answer is NO, you must enquire whether an Usborne Books & More representative attended the previous year, and obtain their name.
• The next step is to contact the UBAM consultant and determine whether they plan to attend the event this year. If they confirm that they will be attending, wish them luck and do not proceed further.
• If event organizers are not willing (or able) to give you the name of the person who previously held the event ask them to add your name as a follow-up vendor and to contact you if the previous consultant does not register.
• If you call to check on an event within 30 days of the event date and the previous consultant has not yet registered, you may proceed to register.
Register as Usborne Books & More
• To avoid multiple consultants registering for the same event, registrations must be made under “Usborne Books & More”. If the event is a professional educational event then the booth must be registered as “Usborne Books & More/EDC Educational Services”.
• When using the Company name you may not sell or represent any other product or recruit for any other company.
• If another consultant has registered as Usborne Books & More you may not register under another name and present Usborne Books & More product either alone or with another product.
When you contact an organization to obtain a booth, OR if you are contacted by an organization, you must enquire if an Usborne Books & More representative has already registered to attend.
• If the answer is YES, do not proceed further.
• If the answer is NO, you must enquire whether an Usborne Books & More representative attended the previous year, and obtain their name.
• The next step is to contact the UBAM consultant and determine whether they plan to attend the event this year. If they confirm that they will be attending, wish them luck and do not proceed further.
• If event organizers are not willing (or able) to give you the name of the person who previously held the event ask them to add your name as a follow-up vendor and to contact you if the previous consultant does not register.
• If you call to check on an event within 30 days of the event date and the previous consultant has not yet registered, you may proceed to register.
Register as Usborne Books & More
• To avoid multiple consultants registering for the same event, registrations must be made under “Usborne Books & More”. If the event is a professional educational event then the booth must be registered as “Usborne Books & More/EDC Educational Services”.
• When using the Company name you may not sell or represent any other product or recruit for any other company.
• If another consultant has registered as Usborne Books & More you may not register under another name and present Usborne Books & More product either alone or with another product.
Now that we are all familiar with the policies, where do we find booths anyway? I often hear, all our local events have a consultant already, or I don't know where to find events. Have you checked...
Local Events
Call your local convention center or chamber of commerce and ask for a list of upcoming events. There are functions such as home and garden shows and children's fairs. Another place to call is the mall or shopping center. They do a lot of events where exhibits are set up to promote shopping. One mall in Tulsa has the children's ‘summer events’ exhibits in May and another mall has a petting zoo with exhibits just for children. The fire department has carnivals with exhibits for children. There are a lot of different ideas to check into where you can increase your business. Just pick up the phone and start calling today to see what is coming up!
Call your local convention center or chamber of commerce and ask for a list of upcoming events. There are functions such as home and garden shows and children's fairs. Another place to call is the mall or shopping center. They do a lot of events where exhibits are set up to promote shopping. One mall in Tulsa has the children's ‘summer events’ exhibits in May and another mall has a petting zoo with exhibits just for children. The fire department has carnivals with exhibits for children. There are a lot of different ideas to check into where you can increase your business. Just pick up the phone and start calling today to see what is coming up!
County and State Fairs
Every year, in every state, there are county and state fairs. All kinds of exhibits are present and all kinds of people attend. This is a great way to get bookings. The bookings will generate recruits and more bookings. If there are other people in your area, you might consider sharing a booth and splitting the costs, bookings and leads. This is also a good time to ask the person who has been thinking of recruiting to help out. After the positive feedback from the fair, the person will most likely sign up.
Every year, in every state, there are county and state fairs. All kinds of exhibits are present and all kinds of people attend. This is a great way to get bookings. The bookings will generate recruits and more bookings. If there are other people in your area, you might consider sharing a booth and splitting the costs, bookings and leads. This is also a good time to ask the person who has been thinking of recruiting to help out. After the positive feedback from the fair, the person will most likely sign up.
Social Media
Another great way to find events is through social media. Search for a local vendor group near you. Key words to try in your search:
i.e. Vendor Events Idaho, Events Happening in Colorado, Vendors Ohio. (These are not necessarily actual groups but may help in finding groups specific to your state and local to you.)
Join a local group to find events from small boutiques and fundraisers, to large expos, and charities. Chances are there is a lot more going on near you than you thought. Just remember to be wary of false events before registering and sending payment.
Another great way to find events is through social media. Search for a local vendor group near you. Key words to try in your search:
i.e. Vendor Events Idaho, Events Happening in Colorado, Vendors Ohio. (These are not necessarily actual groups but may help in finding groups specific to your state and local to you.)
Join a local group to find events from small boutiques and fundraisers, to large expos, and charities. Chances are there is a lot more going on near you than you thought. Just remember to be wary of false events before registering and sending payment.
If a larger event is already taken, you can also see if the current consultant would like to split it. It's always a good idea to have two working a booth at once or it can be a lot of work!
There are lots of ways to set up your booth but the most important thing no matter what space you have to work with is that it is inviting. When I set up booths I usually take a minute to step back and think, if I were a customer just walking through, would I want to stop? This photo gives a few example of indoor and outdoor events, as well as a large and small display.
Booth Specials. It’s always a good idea to have some specials ready at your booth. After I have asked a customer if they have ever heard of Usborne books I follow with my "booth special." Some of our most popular specials among consultants are, buy 4 get the 5th free, hostess incentive books when they book a party, and buy 3 shine a light books get a free flashlight. If you take orders at your booth you can offer our customer specials as well.
Ultimately this is your business and whatever special you offer is up to you!
Ultimately this is your business and whatever special you offer is up to you!
When my customer looks like they are done looking, we’ve come to the end of our conversation, or they are purchasing their books I will have them fill out a customer survey to be entered into a drawing. This is also a good time to ask them again about scheduling a party or joining. I don’t try to keep them too long, people are usually busy so this whole exchange takes about 5-15 minutes depending on how long they browse the books.
Good Customer Service
Provide all customers with a customer order form or receipt bearing your name, consultant id, and a means to contact you.
Process all credit card charges promptly to avoid unnecessary concern and charge disputes.
Fulfill all promises made to customers promptly. If there is an unforeseen delay keep your customer informed.
Provide all customers with a customer order form or receipt bearing your name, consultant id, and a means to contact you.
Process all credit card charges promptly to avoid unnecessary concern and charge disputes.
Fulfill all promises made to customers promptly. If there is an unforeseen delay keep your customer informed.
No comments:
Post a Comment