How to Sell Your Products Without Competition

Selling your products at shows can be difficult when you have a lot of competition. Although some show organizers are careful to have a good mix of vendors, it's not uncommon for other shows to have 20% or more of the booths filled with vendors in the same niche - which is a buyer's market and a seller's disappointing show.

Before signing up for any show, ask the promoter how many other vendors in your niche will have booths. And if possible, find out what kinds of these items will be represented at the show. Even if you have to dig a little for this information, it's worthwhile to find out in advance whether the show is likely to be profitable for you.

For example, my medium is jewelry, which is usually the most competitive field at any show. And because of the overcrowding in this niche, many jewelry artists price the jewelry in their booth so low that it's hard for them (or any of the other jewelers at that show) to make any sales at a worthwhile profit. No one benefits from that kind of venue.

But I've found out how I can easily get my fair share of the jewelry market by finding less competitive shows for selling my work. Here are some suggestions for shows where you can find eager buyers for your products and likely no other competing vendors:

Local Expos and Events

Many organized events in your area involve wholesale or retail vendors selling their products in booths. These events are usually well promoted and attended, and may be unlikely to have other vendors in your niche. Examples of this type of event include a women's career expo, a home improvement show, a health fair, a business expo, and virtually any trade show.

Other unusual events that can be great prospects for selling your products without competition include historic re-enactments, car club shows, gun and knife shows, garden shows, spring or fall fashion shows, motorcycle rallies (motorcyclists are among the best and biggest-spending jewelry customers you'll find!), and music competitions (like a battle of the bands or a bluegrass festival).

Club or other organization meetings are also a possibility if your product is interesting - you will likely be welcomed to give a talk about your goods and then sell them afterward. Examples of organizations include a Rotary club chapter, a garden club, an alumni association, or a local newcomers' club.

To find out about events like these well in advance, or to locate clubs or groups that would welcome an interesting product presentation and show, call your local tourism commission and chamber of commerce. Ask for their recommendations, and most importantly, request to be put on their mailing lists of upcoming events. When you receive the listings, carefully consider each event for its potential as a show for selling your goods without competition.

Your Own Shows

With a little more work, you can organize your own shows where you can be certain you'll be the only vendor in your niche. Examples of these are home parties, open studio sales at your studio or home, and fundraiser shows where you donate a portion of the proceeds to a designated charity. You can also cooperate with other vendors to set up bigger shows, and profit from each other's customer lists.

You might do very well at an event with a ready-made huge crowd, such as a high school football game. Secure permission ahead of time to set up a booth presenting your product, and donate a percentage of sales to the school.

The key to success when doing your own shows is to be sure the event is well publicized if it's open to the public, or that you personally phone and remind each invitee if it's a private sale or party. The higher the attendance, the higher your sales.

So you see there's no need to sell your products in overly competitive venues. Instead, consider your targeted customers and think creatively about opportunities to present your products to them.

About The Author

Rena Klingenberg is a jewelry artist with expertise in displaying and marketing products creatively on a small budget. She publishes two websites, http://www.home-jewelry-business-success-tips.com and http://www.trade-show-booth-display.com, to assist other entrepreneurs in marketing their work successfully.

---

How to Blow Rapport Really Fast

Do you have 5, 10, or 20 years of sales... Read More

Success Reloaded: The Matrix

So the other day I'm watching the movie The Matrix,... Read More

How to Create Material That Will Get You Sales Now!

WHY ARE YOU WRITING THIS BROCHURE OR SALES LETTER? A... Read More

Want More Sales? Write A Barry Bonds Sales Letter

I'm not a baseball fan. Never have been. In fact,... Read More

The Power of Thank-You

When was the last time you thanked your customers?This often... Read More

Secrets to Buying Without Being Sold

Have you ever asked yourself, now how did I let... Read More

Get The Help You Need With Fund Raising Ideas

There are many fund raising ideas on the market today... Read More

Expert Qualities in Sales

If you went to see your doctor, and he mentioned... Read More

Female Mannequins: An Overview

Female mannequins are very common in clothing stores. They are... Read More

Before They buy What You Say - 10 Steps To Selling Yourself

You are the productWe're all in the selling business whether... Read More

Cracking The Billable Hours Ceiling

How many of you made as much money as you... Read More

Overcoming the Fear of Selling

For many of you the Fear of Selling is a... Read More

Ten FAST Ways to Sell Your Products

Always give a reason for the sale for credibility. 1.... Read More

How To Take The Right Steps To Increase Your Selling Results

Steps - it is unrealistic for most salespeople to expect... Read More

Touchdown! Closing Skills for Successful Selling

It's early January 2004. The Green Bay Packers are just... Read More

Too Much Empathy Will Cost You Money

Ever have a prospect start out your sales call by... Read More

When the Nose of the Camel is in the Tent

My new job was to sell Commercial Service Agreements. It... Read More

Caring - The Secret Sales Strategy

Sales information resource Just Sell, calls caring "sales love". Here's... Read More

Sell With KISS, As In Keep It Simple, Stupid

One of the most useful and fundamental communications lessons that... Read More

How to Revive a Dead Lead

It's easy to spend days, weeks, or months speaking with... Read More

Consulting Versus Selling

Consulting Vs Selling, How we can make sales by not... Read More

Nine Keys to Make your Sales Copy Convincing

Would you pay $12,500 to discover the keys to great... Read More

How to Sell Your Products Without Competition

Selling your products at shows can be difficult when you... Read More

Take the Contract with You

I learned something very interesting this week. Thankfully, what I... Read More

Youve Got a Great Business, but Nobody Cares!

I would like to share a disturbing little secret with... Read More

Casual Networking

What comes to mind when you think of networking --... Read More

Peddlers, Hucksters, & Empty Suits

Ever feel like you were "just a salesperson"? I think... Read More

Refining Your Telephone Prospecting Techniques To Be A Master Closer!

Let me create a picture for you. This is the... Read More

How to Write Effective Selling Proposals

Depending upon how much you enjoy writing, writing sales proposals... Read More

Connecting with Customers

I just got off the phone with a friend of... Read More

Build & Protect Your Confidence

I can remember the first time that I had to... Read More

Use Bundling To Increase Your Profits And Sales

Use Bundling To Increase Your Profits And Sales An effective... Read More

Book Yourself Solid

THE 7 KEYS TO GETTING MORE CLIENTS THAN YOU CAN... Read More