Standing on the outside looking in? Barred by the plane of your booth entrance

Standing on the outside, looking in? Barred by the plane of booth entrance.

It is a strange phenomenon, watching how people act.  People will walk by your display but not enter.  What do you do to get them to enter?  People have several emotions when they are looking at art.  There is joy in beauty, interest in your art and you and fear.  What do they fear?  Many would tell you that they don’t want to be pressured.  Pressured by you to buy through guilt, trickery or just being outwitted.  Outdoor shows, there is a fear of being trapped in an enclosed space.  That last one is more subconscious, and many people don’t realize that is one of their concerns.

I noticed it at a show I did this summer, the weather was particularly crappy, and people wouldn’t even come in to get out of the rain.  I realized that the previous year, I had an opening through my back wall.  The next show, I folded back half of the rear wall, and more people came in.  Now, this is just conjecture.  I only have the two shows and the weather was completely different and in two different states but when I did another just recently in-doors, people were again reluctant to enter the display.  They did and many weren’t put off by it, but there were others who would stand at the plane created by the opening and literally lean to look in.

What do you do when this happens?  I would just take a chance and say, “Hello.”  It is a simple, noncommittal opening and many would recognize what they were doing, say hello back and come in.  If they aren’t leaning, and just standing there on the outside looking in: I can also say it to them too.  They either move on or come in.  Ultimately, it just ups your odds that they might come in.  Whatever you do, don’t stare.  It is better to have busy work that isn’t on your phone.  A cell phone in your hand can be seen as a social barrier.  Having something to do with your hands makes it easier to say something to you. Pulling yourself out of your phone, means they are interesting, and they might feel like you are going to actively sell something to them.

Like I said last week, just say something.  Be friendly, you have nothing to lose.  In the meanwhile, just watch how people interact with your display.  It is just as important to observe as well as talk.  The next show, try something different.  You might be surprised at what a simple change, like a door in the back; accomplish for you.  Good luck!