RAWK Holiday Show Houston
Okay, so I learned a lot during the RAWK Holiday Show (Houston), which is why I don't consider it a total loss, but it was kind of a disaster, haha. Here's why the holiday show wasn't my speed.
1. The location - the location was a little bit sketch. And when I say a little bit, I mean a lot. Granted, I'm one of those snooty museum types, but there are so many venues in Houston! I would have preferred to be a bit closer to the galleria, and a bit farther from…the hood? I even had a friend who wouldn't come because of the location. Oh well, I survived.
2. The selling of art - I sold so few pieces that it was borderline embarrassing. But the fact of the matter is - people weren't there to buy art! They came to look at the pretty things and leave. I had hoards of people oohing and awing at my table, just to talk to me for ten minutes and then walk away. I sold some stuff, but not enough to justify the amount of time and effort I put into the show.
3. The timetable - they had us show up at 2:30pm which is crazy early for a show that starts at 7:30 (the show started late btw). After setting up my booth, I had two or three hours to spare. More time wasted.
4. The performers - there were singers, dancers and a pole dancer, which were artistic and all, but very distracting for the booth people. Either make it a concert or sell art, doing both is unrealistic. No one can see art in the dark. Also, some of the performers were…substandard (that's a major understatement) The pole dancer was very talented though.
5. The date - the show was on a Thursday. So there went the possibility of 90% of my friends coming to it. You know, since they have to go to work the next day and all. The show would have sold a TON more tickets if it were on a good night.
6. The Photos - We got head shots, they told me to make gestures like I was holding a palette and paint brush. The photographer said they'd Photoshop in those items later. Well, they didn't. And I looked like a dummy holding up imaginary items. Also, there was a photographer at the venue taking pictures of everyone's booth. Well, he came over to mine, commented about how great the art was - AND LEFT. There is not a single picture of my entire booth. There isn't even a decent picture of me at the event. Sad day.
My suggestions for the show:
Make sure it's on Friday or Saturday night. Move it to a location that's halfway decent. Advertise more heavily (I have an advertising degree btw). Don't let people make stupid air gestures with their hands in their photos. Have artists bring a small painting or something they made to have in the photo with them. Separate the performers from the booth artists. Have totally different events for each. Focus on the artist's booths, maybe provide/sell some food, keep the room well lit and ditch the water machines. (I literally developed a respiratory infection-no joke, maybe you could pay for my antibiotic?) Start the artists booths at 5pm and have it go 'till 10pm. Your artists will sell WAY more art and be happier - believe me.
Why listen to me? Why change your format (which I doubt you'll do)? Because I have a Public Relations and Advertising degree from Texas Christian University. I know what successful shows look like, and unless your artists actually get the chance to really sell their art - they're not happy - ergo, the show was a failure in their mind, which is what they'll tell their (artist and regular) friends.
1. The location - the location was a little bit sketch. And when I say a little bit, I mean a lot. Granted, I'm one of those snooty museum types, but there are so many venues in Houston! I would have preferred to be a bit closer to the galleria, and a bit farther from…the hood? I even had a friend who wouldn't come because of the location. Oh well, I survived.
2. The selling of art - I sold so few pieces that it was borderline embarrassing. But the fact of the matter is - people weren't there to buy art! They came to look at the pretty things and leave. I had hoards of people oohing and awing at my table, just to talk to me for ten minutes and then walk away. I sold some stuff, but not enough to justify the amount of time and effort I put into the show.
3. The timetable - they had us show up at 2:30pm which is crazy early for a show that starts at 7:30 (the show started late btw). After setting up my booth, I had two or three hours to spare. More time wasted.
4. The performers - there were singers, dancers and a pole dancer, which were artistic and all, but very distracting for the booth people. Either make it a concert or sell art, doing both is unrealistic. No one can see art in the dark. Also, some of the performers were…substandard (that's a major understatement) The pole dancer was very talented though.
5. The date - the show was on a Thursday. So there went the possibility of 90% of my friends coming to it. You know, since they have to go to work the next day and all. The show would have sold a TON more tickets if it were on a good night.
6. The Photos - We got head shots, they told me to make gestures like I was holding a palette and paint brush. The photographer said they'd Photoshop in those items later. Well, they didn't. And I looked like a dummy holding up imaginary items. Also, there was a photographer at the venue taking pictures of everyone's booth. Well, he came over to mine, commented about how great the art was - AND LEFT. There is not a single picture of my entire booth. There isn't even a decent picture of me at the event. Sad day.
My suggestions for the show:
Make sure it's on Friday or Saturday night. Move it to a location that's halfway decent. Advertise more heavily (I have an advertising degree btw). Don't let people make stupid air gestures with their hands in their photos. Have artists bring a small painting or something they made to have in the photo with them. Separate the performers from the booth artists. Have totally different events for each. Focus on the artist's booths, maybe provide/sell some food, keep the room well lit and ditch the water machines. (I literally developed a respiratory infection-no joke, maybe you could pay for my antibiotic?) Start the artists booths at 5pm and have it go 'till 10pm. Your artists will sell WAY more art and be happier - believe me.
Why listen to me? Why change your format (which I doubt you'll do)? Because I have a Public Relations and Advertising degree from Texas Christian University. I know what successful shows look like, and unless your artists actually get the chance to really sell their art - they're not happy - ergo, the show was a failure in their mind, which is what they'll tell their (artist and regular) friends.
My booth that no one but me took pictures of:
The photos of me looking stupid:
Oh yeah, and I was just crooked in this one:
Here's my version :P
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