I was wandering around our local Forth of July street fair this afternoon, and I suddenly wondered if it would be worthwhile for me to rent a booth one year for my VA business.

Has anyone tried doing something like this? Part of me thinks it really wouldn't be worthwhile, but then again, you never know.

Kathy
Your Virtual Aide

Kathy,
What a really unique idea! I've never seen a VA represented in this way - and I can see that it could really go either way, in terms of payoff. How much does a table cost at that kind of event?

If you held a raffle - maybe got people to stop by the table and add their info to your mailing list in exchange for being entered into a drawing for X hours free services or some such thing then I expect you'd get plenty of attention. You'd just want to be sure you had a truly visible draw amongst all the crafts and whatnots they sell at these events.

I say, if it's not too terribly expensive - go for it!

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Yes, I thought about that. I was actually thinking maybe of having something like candy at the booth as well as a raffle. But that's a great idea! If I can get business cards or names and email addresses I can add them to my newsletter list.

I know a ton of the booths sell food, but some sell wares, such as jewelry and Mary Kay products.

I'm not sure how much a booth costs, or if it would be worth it in the end, but I'm really thinking about doing it next year.

Kathy
Your Virtual Aide

What a great idea Kathy!

While I live in between very small towns that don't have street fairs...they do however have COUNTY FAIRS...I never thought about being a part of the fair other than what I might enter and how much it'll cost to take the boys this year. My Mom's cousin runs the Antique shop at the Jackson County Fair and Mom is entering one of her antiques this year and I'm going to 'sponsor' her...she just doesn't know it yet!

So, I'm going to call the Fair office Monday morning and see what kind of sponsorship I could provide! What a great idea Kathy...THANKS!!

Oh, I received a free pen with my practice information on it and a discounted price on my first order, I ordered 100 pens for a cost of about $40. (before the $14.95 setup fee and $25 to add my logo). Here's the link http://www.pens.com/pens/SearchResul...esign=00002100

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Need Help? Ask Viki!

Viki, if you decide to go through with this, PLEASE let me know how it went and what you did. Also what you would do differently.

I really don't think I will have the opportunity to do this until next year, but I'm going to keep my ears open to see if anything else comes up.

Kathy
Your Virtual Aide

Ok Kathy, I will!
I've seen all the banners at the fair, they're all over the place, it just didn't 'click' til I read your post!
Viki

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Need Help? Ask Viki!

I've rented booths before for my video business. They range from about 125 to 175 for the weekend. Sometimes they are @75 per day. I was also thinking about this as our local festival is HUGE in October (over 30,000 in attendance for the weekend). I probably will do this. It draws a lot of people to this particular festival and you figure this, You are probably going to spend the same amount for marketing "sight-unseen" HERE you are there to answer any questions. You have to be out there to get the people to look at you. Just don't be the timid type to sit behind a table. Get out there and...as the Nike commercial says....JUST DO IT! No one knows your business better than you! You know what you can and cannot do.

There is always two sides to any new thing. I will be doing it and I will make the most of it. I may have talked to over 500 people and make one new clients but that will be fine with me. I will definately let you know.

Hope this helps