Sometimes I go to events like trade fairs, craft fairs and indoor markets where business owners display their products and services to prospective buyers and other visitors.
I have taken out display space myself. But these days, I prefer to go to these events as a visitor because I can mingle more easily this way.
I’ve found that many of the businesses at these events don’t follow up with customers and prospective customers. Maybe these business owners don’t see the value in following up with people who don’t buy their product or service right there and then.
That is so short-sighted.
Don’t these business owners know they are leaving money on the table by not following up with people who showed an interest in their product or service?
If you have ever taken out display space at craft fairs, exhibitions, trade fairs, or you know someone who does, please read this and pass it on.
At an indoor market, which was organized as a fundraiser for a nonprofit, I stopped by one of the stalls and talked with the stall holder for a while.
I didn’t have an immediate need for what this woman was selling, but she seemed friendly and so I asked for her card. I thought I’d stay in touch with her and get to know her.
So a few days later I sent her an email. I didn’t get a reply so I called her and left a message.
Still nothing.
About a month or so later, someone on an online forum I belonged to asked if anyone knew a supplier of the same product that was sold by the woman I met at the craft fair.
Now I could have recommended this woman if she’d taken the time to return my messages and build a relationship with me. But I didn’t.
Sure, she may have been a really nice person, but I wasn’t ready to do business with her or refer people to her if she could not be contacted. First impressions do count.
When I go to craft fairs or similar events, I’m looking to make new contacts – people I may do business with, give referrals, or share resources with.
And who knows – maybe we’ll become new best friends. I want to build relationships with people who care enough to keep in touch with me.
So I’m working on my own keep-in-touch skills. I have a simple system that helps me do this in an effective and personal way. Do you have a system for staying in touch?
Aloha Chichi,
This is so true both in business and in personal relationships. Jim Rohn says “there’s pennies in the sale, a fortune in the follow-up”.
It takes really caring to follow-up and keep on following up. That’s why I love social media because I can follow up and keep in touch with so many people with very small amount of time or effort.
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Thanks again,
Kellie
Aloha Kellie, yes, it takes really caring to follow up, both in personal and business relationships. I use social media to follow up and I also like to send greeting cards because they can be held and read again and again.
Thanks for visiting my blog. I enjoyed reading yours and I’ll visit again. Let’s stay in touch.
Hey Chichi,
I had to work hard to develop the skill to follow up, but I’ve found it immensely rewarding personally and professionally when I get in touch with people who made the leap to use our services or purchase products. You meet some amazing and interesting people when you follow up! It’s worth the effort.
Thanks!
Gayle.
Gayle, yes, we do meet some interesting people when we follow up. It’s worth the effort to follow up. I know I feel valued when I’ve bought a product or service and the business owner has followed up with me.
Thanks for stopping by!
chichi