GenCon Booth Atttendance

[Larry Fitz]

With GenCon coming up it's time for the annual "Booth Babe" thread. I was considering making this a poll, but it might be considered OT. The question is, "What impact do 'Booth Babes' have on your circulation in the dealers room. Do they actually contribute to you spending more time at or near a particular booth? What about Swag (free stuff) or other goodies (we usually give away beverages and candy)? Meeting artists and writers? What gets you to spend time at a specific booth (understanding that sellers believe the more time you spend, the more likely you are to "spend"). Please understand I use the term "Booth Babes" because it is common parlance, not to demean anyone. I myself will spend a good deal of time in pirate garb at oour booth, but that's probably not going to be a big draw...

Edited:Spelling

 

[Hand of Evil]

I look at them but it does not make me stop at the booth. We love free stuff but again not a stopper. People, location and presentation make me stop.

Presentation the hook - Something has to glitter at the booth, most time this is a cover of a product but it can be a poster or shirt. It is visually cool. Yes, it could be a booth babe but...

Location location location - some parts isles are busy, a lot of people go by, people get bottle-necked. Some booths are in dead zones, just because of the herding of the games don't get visited.

People not just booth babes - like dating you have to have a line, you have to ask a lot. Some of the sellers that go to cons just sit their until someone ask them about a product. Having a knowledgable person that can talk the talk, make you interested and keep you interested is a plus. Someone likeable.

Now, something I have noticed is people like to feel they are getting something and being treated special. You spend a few minutes with them, chat, ask what they are interested in, see if you can help, introduce your product, highlight it, make a deal, then give the freebe because they picked up the product. When I say deal, buy X and get Y at a reduced price.

 

[Alzrius]

I agree with Hand of Evil in general here.

Booth babes are something that I'll look at when I see them, and perhaps even slow down my stride, but that alone won't pull me closer to the booth in question, nor get me to stay there longer.

Just having a babe at your booth isn't going to, in and of itself, drive up attendance. Nobody wants to be thought of as a gawker (even if they are staring at her), so they aren't just going to come closer to your booth to oggle her longer. Booth babes turn heads, but that two-second glance tends to be enough, so most people will just keep right on walking after checking her out, unless there is another reason for them to stop.

If you want something visual to pull people in, try something that's interesting in a more curious way. I remember seeing, last year, a guy in a dire-looking black robe walking around holding up a sign that said "The End is here. Booth ####". I almost immediately went to the booth listed to see what that was all about (turned out it was The End d20 RPG).

Likewise, personability draws people in. Having nice, friendly people in front of your booth to talk to people, show them things, answer questions, etc. is, IMHO, much more beneficial. People like feeling good, and friendly treatment does that much more effectively than looking at a sexy lady does (well, unless...well, you get the idea ).

Swag, by itself, tends to be something people just sort of expect at a big con like this. How much it draws people to your booth depends on what it is (and, maybe, how you give it away). Are you giving away buttons? A few people might slow down. Are you spinning a wheel where you can win anything from a button to a free book? Now that will make people stop and spend time at your booth. Likewise, discounts that rely on purchasing to begin with tend to be somewhat effective in getting people there to make a purchase, but doesn't necessarily draw in more people than you'd otherwise get (IMHO again).

 

[alsih2o]

the original art will make me stop more than anything else. a few framed pieces of original art from your publication will make me stop, look and possibly buy.

i think this will be true for non-art geeks too, as it si just cool-o-rama

 

[Henry]

Booth Babes: Nice to see, doesn't make me stop.

Swag (free stuff):Always.

Beverages and candy: Depends on if I see you just before mealtime, when my deflector shields are down.

Meeting artists and writers: Always, especially if it's a writer whose work I enjoy.

 

[francisca]

booth babes are no draw for me. swag and goodies on the other hand will, if they are not junk.

I actually tend to stay away from notable people and celebs, 'cause I don't want to hassle them, even if they understand that its part of being who they are.

However, it will be really difficult not to hand my 1E DMG to Gary Gygax for an autograph should I run across him.