Fairs and Festivals
9 RepliesJump to last post
I’m setting a booth up at two large festivals over the next 30 day’s. I have used the Moneytree idea, where I place $100 dollars in various denominations on a tree, to get people in to register. I’m thinking about giving away savings bonds this time. Any other ideas on how to make quality contacts at a fair or festival?
Trade shows have actually worked pretty well for me. Perhaps because ever since I moved back to the area to open up shop, its been a great way to reconnect with the locals. For an area of about 80,000 ppl, its a surprisingly tight knit community.
For trade shows with cement floors, I use interlocking carpet squares to help add a little class/comfort to the booth. I find more and more people just wanting to take the time to sit and discuss their portfolio, so I also have a small table and chairs within the booth. Its also handy to have a big whiteboard hung somewhere or on a tripod. The money tree is a great idea, my only obstacle is that I'm in Canada and lack $1 bills, so I'd be hanging $5 and $10 bills....not as aesthetically pleasing. One time, I was placed beside a booth for a local charity (of which I was already a longtime supporter) and I donated a flatscreen TV to them as a raffle draw. It was $5 to enter, thus weeding out the plate lickers. The ballots would contain our logo and ask for the usual contact information, age, and some investment preferences. I would usually send a thank you card followed by a phone call.Haha, yeah, I once considered raffling a treasure chest full of Loonies. Those things are the dumbest form of currency. Back when I did my undergrad in the US, I became accustomed to using “singles”. Much easier to carry. Besides, its tougher to slip a few Loonies in a g-string.
Duke, I like the tie in with a local charity idea. I’ll try to pull that off. Did you have a representative from that charity involved with the sales and handling of money? I’m not sure I’ll be able to pull off the table, chairs and whiteboard idea at these festivals but I like it for the trade show setting.
Any ideas on what one item to focus on as far as marketing at the booth?
Ice, I’m anticipating a 10 to 1 plate licking ratio here. But it only takes one good one to make it worth it, right?
BigE, assuming you’re American, I’m probably not the best guy to ask for product advice. Having said this, I’m actually doing a show in 2 weeks. I’ll be focusing on our TFSA’s - Tax Free Savings Accounts (Max $5000/yr contributed, no tax on principle or gains EVER, any investment vehicle, and no surrender charges). Government just brought them out in January. Great program. I don’t know if the U.S. has anything similar.
Also, I've had alot of success with Segregated Funds (individual variable annuities) in this area. I don't know what equates to a Seg Fund in the U.S. I'm probably speaking French to you guys haha. A little higher management expense ratio, but my clients love the 100% guarantee, I almost never sell a straight mutual fund. I would actually like to know what you guys offer as similar products to these.Ice, no hijacking at all, great story man! That would make a good Mastercard (or AMEX) commercial… priceless. I’m just preparing for a meeting tomorrow with a guy looking to move 10 million in my direction. Thinking I’ll close him tomorrow, so I’m a little on edge tonight. Its funny how its “just another meeting with a client”, but when you’re dealing with that kind of capital, your nerves kick in. That story just relaxed me a bit. Thanks buddy.
Ice, the life of a strip club owner and a financial adviser are not all that different. Your and ASSet gatherer either way:) You might have to tweak your script a little but the face to face contacts would be a lot more fun.
Ice: Hi miss, are you happy with your current exhibitionism?
Girl: Yes, my boyfriend seems happy.
Ice: How much are you bringing in each evening?
Girl: No money, but I get free beer and pizza.
Ice: What?! If I could show you a way to make 1k a night and have blackmail potential for future income, would you be interested?
Girl: Why sure.
Ice: Please come by my office, above the video store downtown, Thursday at 2pm. Bring all your latest doctor reports and wear something loose.
See, not all that different. You may have missed your calling.
Good luck Duke! Bring home the money!
I decided to stay with the Moneytree idea for this weekends festival. It does allow for some easy opening lines. I’m going to head to that town today and doorknock from 10am-4pm to lay some groundwork. I’ll work the booth Saturday and if I see any signs of life, I’ll go back Sunday as well. I’ll be armed with a decent Tax Free Bond, VKQ muni trust and some equity ideas.
I’m giving up college football’s opening weekend for this? What am I doing?