fishmaven
07-16-2006, 3:23 PM
If you're taking fish
to the convention either to sell in your room or for the auction I have a suggestion for a few
extras to place in your fish box. Choose the proper size bag and DON"T CROWD the fish
!! Bag them properly- double bagged, no corners. Breathable bags don't look right. Not
everyone knows what they are or how to use them. You don't want your bags standing out in a
negative way so don't use them. The tips...
1. extra bags
2. extra rubber bands
3. water conditioner
4. oxygenating tablets or peroxide
5. a permanent felt marker, one
with a chiseled or blunt point. You don't want punctured bags.
6. Scotch brand invisible
tape. tears easily- sticks to anything dry
7. Don't cover the fish but provide type
written or computer generated prepared info sheets about the fish.
(This info should include
name of fish, a source reference, color photo of an adult male, your name and contact info, and WC
or f ? info. AND anything else YOU feel is important to making a buying decision. Let's make
this personal! You want people to buy YOUR fish, not the same fish from someone else. If
there's something about the way you've packed the fish or something you've done to make
the buyer feel the purchase from you offers more in some way, yours will go for more or be the
preferred bag when offered for sale. Don't be a sleaze, if they're all males, say so.
Multiple fish bagged together, are assumed to be male and female mixed. Fish normally purchased in
groups should be offered in groups.)
Your contact info should be complete. Name, phone,
address, shipping center (airport, airline and city), e-mail address and website if you have one.
Add your business card if you have one. You want them to choose to deal with you in the future.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. When people are cruising the tables, if
your fish stand out in some way OR if your bags stand out, people that BUY fish and are prepared to
develop contacts will write down your name and contact info. Typically they'll either try to
look you up while at the convention or contact you shortly after the convention. The ones that
contact you AT the convention will be the better ones to deal with. They realize that relationships
are important, and that having their face to go with their voice or e-mail will improve the way
they are treated. Using their own selection methods, they've chosen you from all the others
offering fish at the convention. They'll expect you to deal ethically and professionally and
will have pre-qualified you because of something you've done differently than everyone else.
Another thing, often a true professional will NOT buy from an auction. They want the best
fish shipped under the best conditions. Convention fish are normally stressed and malnourished, at
least for this short time. They are looking for sources of fish unavailable in their area or or
priced below others in their area. If you're contacted like this, take a few minutes and sound
them out. They're sizing you up, do the same. If they've left a favorable impression, after
the convention take a moment to either e-mail, phone or send a list of your offerings. I normally
DON'T phone. E-mails or lists allow them to do things at their pace rather than yours. If you
can ship with someone else, mention this in your follow-ups ONLY. Don't confuse your buyer. You
want him to choose YOU not your partner.
Professionals that DO buy at auctions rarely
get carried away when bidding. They're looking for bargains. They'll come early and stay
late. If you're not completely absorbed in the activity, watching them as they size up their
purchases will teach you how to bid in the future. They've cruised the tables, written down the
bag colors and numbers of the items they're interested in. Any socializing they do will be
between these items. If they lose out on an item they're not heart-broken, they know
there's another bag coming up.
If you've gone to the convention to promote
yourself or your business, be prepared. Have plenty of business cards. The best ones will have YOUR
photo on them. The fish you offer will change frequently. You want people to choose you. If you
have a fishlist take some but be very selective about who gets them. You only want people that
fulfill their commitments and prepay or pay promptly. Try to avoid COD or checks. Paypal is the
best for you unless you're set up for credit cards by another method. COD freight is fine.
Buyers can figure out the best way to deal with the airline freight office themselves. Some already
have accounts.
A reminder, don't be all business. Not everyone there will be
interested in you or your business. When you meet someone new, take a moment to look them in the
eyes and as you shake their hand, repeat their name. If they've done something that warrants
thanks, do so. If you're talking to a vendor, don't be a pain. If their booth or product
selection is good, complement them. Don't waste their time but ask the questions you want
answers to. Try to avoid discussion of competitors. If you're going to buy something, do it
then, or after making the circuit of the vendors. Don't try to wheedle something for free, pay
for it. If they have something free, they'll offer it. If they have info flyers, take them if
you'll use them only. You won't be a normal conventioneer, you'll be the one they
wanted. Have fun too. Dan
to the convention either to sell in your room or for the auction I have a suggestion for a few
extras to place in your fish box. Choose the proper size bag and DON"T CROWD the fish
!! Bag them properly- double bagged, no corners. Breathable bags don't look right. Not
everyone knows what they are or how to use them. You don't want your bags standing out in a
negative way so don't use them. The tips...
1. extra bags
2. extra rubber bands
3. water conditioner
4. oxygenating tablets or peroxide
5. a permanent felt marker, one
with a chiseled or blunt point. You don't want punctured bags.
6. Scotch brand invisible
tape. tears easily- sticks to anything dry
7. Don't cover the fish but provide type
written or computer generated prepared info sheets about the fish.
(This info should include
name of fish, a source reference, color photo of an adult male, your name and contact info, and WC
or f ? info. AND anything else YOU feel is important to making a buying decision. Let's make
this personal! You want people to buy YOUR fish, not the same fish from someone else. If
there's something about the way you've packed the fish or something you've done to make
the buyer feel the purchase from you offers more in some way, yours will go for more or be the
preferred bag when offered for sale. Don't be a sleaze, if they're all males, say so.
Multiple fish bagged together, are assumed to be male and female mixed. Fish normally purchased in
groups should be offered in groups.)
Your contact info should be complete. Name, phone,
address, shipping center (airport, airline and city), e-mail address and website if you have one.
Add your business card if you have one. You want them to choose to deal with you in the future.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. When people are cruising the tables, if
your fish stand out in some way OR if your bags stand out, people that BUY fish and are prepared to
develop contacts will write down your name and contact info. Typically they'll either try to
look you up while at the convention or contact you shortly after the convention. The ones that
contact you AT the convention will be the better ones to deal with. They realize that relationships
are important, and that having their face to go with their voice or e-mail will improve the way
they are treated. Using their own selection methods, they've chosen you from all the others
offering fish at the convention. They'll expect you to deal ethically and professionally and
will have pre-qualified you because of something you've done differently than everyone else.
Another thing, often a true professional will NOT buy from an auction. They want the best
fish shipped under the best conditions. Convention fish are normally stressed and malnourished, at
least for this short time. They are looking for sources of fish unavailable in their area or or
priced below others in their area. If you're contacted like this, take a few minutes and sound
them out. They're sizing you up, do the same. If they've left a favorable impression, after
the convention take a moment to either e-mail, phone or send a list of your offerings. I normally
DON'T phone. E-mails or lists allow them to do things at their pace rather than yours. If you
can ship with someone else, mention this in your follow-ups ONLY. Don't confuse your buyer. You
want him to choose YOU not your partner.
Professionals that DO buy at auctions rarely
get carried away when bidding. They're looking for bargains. They'll come early and stay
late. If you're not completely absorbed in the activity, watching them as they size up their
purchases will teach you how to bid in the future. They've cruised the tables, written down the
bag colors and numbers of the items they're interested in. Any socializing they do will be
between these items. If they lose out on an item they're not heart-broken, they know
there's another bag coming up.
If you've gone to the convention to promote
yourself or your business, be prepared. Have plenty of business cards. The best ones will have YOUR
photo on them. The fish you offer will change frequently. You want people to choose you. If you
have a fishlist take some but be very selective about who gets them. You only want people that
fulfill their commitments and prepay or pay promptly. Try to avoid COD or checks. Paypal is the
best for you unless you're set up for credit cards by another method. COD freight is fine.
Buyers can figure out the best way to deal with the airline freight office themselves. Some already
have accounts.
A reminder, don't be all business. Not everyone there will be
interested in you or your business. When you meet someone new, take a moment to look them in the
eyes and as you shake their hand, repeat their name. If they've done something that warrants
thanks, do so. If you're talking to a vendor, don't be a pain. If their booth or product
selection is good, complement them. Don't waste their time but ask the questions you want
answers to. Try to avoid discussion of competitors. If you're going to buy something, do it
then, or after making the circuit of the vendors. Don't try to wheedle something for free, pay
for it. If they have something free, they'll offer it. If they have info flyers, take them if
you'll use them only. You won't be a normal conventioneer, you'll be the one they
wanted. Have fun too. Dan