Boutique Bellerive, in Review

I am very new to the gig of “doing shows,” but I’ll venture a guess here that I started at the very top of the food chain today.  Bellerive Country Club is gorgeous, and the grounds are beautiful, especially when the weather is 65 degrees and the dusky light of autumn settles over the expanse of the golf course.

I really enjoyed the members and guests of the club, many of whom bought Snap Stories (thank you) to share with their family and friends.  The snappiest best-seller?  My Baby Face.  Not entirely, of course, but almost 50% of the books I sold were My Baby Face.  And probably 90% of the My Baby Face sales were to proud grandmas or pregnant women :)  I also enjoyed meeting and socializing with the other vendors.  Check out the slideshow of vendors closest to my booth.

I am really glad I participated in the show.  I sold a lot of books (yay!), but more importantly, I learned two important lessons.  I have to thank my friend Kelly for the first lesson.  After listening to me explain Snap Stories to several gals, she said “Emma, are you jumping immediately to how the books work?  to how you get your photos inside the page?”  Yes, I answered.  “Well, I don’t think you should do that.  That’s kind of boring.” she said.  “Try talking about how cute the books are.  How they are whimsical illustrations with layered, happy art and the cute words you use in the story.  If they ask you how the photos get inside the page, tell them, but otherwise don’t.”  At the end of the day, I believe I found the right mix somewhere between highlighting the art and showing the how-to practical bit.  But Kelly’s advice much improved “the pitch.”

The second lesson came after a few hours of working with lesson #1.  I had an a-ha! moment that left me with some critical clarity.  This is what I learned:  the books are not about how cool it is that your photos just snap inside the pages.  The books aren’t about the cute, layered artwork either.  The books are about the photos.  Period.  It’s each person’s photos that bring the book to life.  End of story.  It’s that simple.

The books are really the perfect (cute AND easy) excuse to get up close and personal with your photos.  It’s about having memories at your fingertips, not stored away in the computer or on your cell phone or collecting dust in the closet.  I told the gals at Bellerive there are no rules with these books.  You can make them crazy with googlely eyes, or beautiful with stickers and ribbons.  You can give them as gifts, or keep them for youself.  You can give them to babies who are still nursing, or to family members in a nursing home.  They’re only $10, and they’re just for fun:  no rules (which was ironic to say inside Bellerive where there are strict rules on tipping, attire, cell phone use, smoking…).  I do love a good irony!

Miles of Smiles,

Comments

[devi]

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