Setting Up a Simple Email Signup Form for your Vendor Booth

Why It’s Critical:

• A simple signup form allows you to collect customer emails even when you’re not at your booth.

While you can use a paper form in your booth, I know a digital form works better since it is easier for the shopper, and therefore more likely they’ll do it; and usually easier for you too. No paper form getting lost, no need for a pen or pencil that walks off, shoppers don’t need to worry that other people see their info on the form.

How to Do It:

• If you haven’t set up an email platform yet, check out my earlier post here:

• Your new email platform will have a way for you to create a signup form to collect emails. It will have a URL link for that form which you can use.

• Or you can set up a simple Google Form, which will also provide you with a URL.

• Keep the form simple with just two fields: Name and Email. Less is always more here, don’t add more fields than the minimum. Studies have proven that each additional field you request decreases the number of people who will complete the form. If you can get away with email address only then do that.

Advertise signups in your space

• Print a cute sign and write a friendly message with a compelling reason people to sign up. (Ideas below). Do NOT try to add a bunch of other stuff to the sign.

• To make it easiest on your shopper, use a QR code that takes them directly to your signup form instead of using a URL. All they have to do is point their camera and then enter name and email. The easier you can make it, the more likely they are to do it.

Canva has a free QR code generator at https://www.canva.com/qr-code-generator/

Do NOT try to add a bunch of other stuff to your signup link either. Only the super simple signup form.

Enticing Ideas to Encourage Sign-Ups:

Only use ONE (you can rotate them to test which works best for your prospective audience. But only one at any time). Here’s a few ideas:

• Instant Gratification: Offer an immediate reward, such as “Sign up today and get a free mini product!” or “Join our list and receive a 15% off coupon right now!” Instant perks encourage quick action. (Think through how you can work this with Painted Tree, may need to be for next visit or maybe it’s something they can download that is sent via email upon signup)

• Exclusive VIP Status: Make them feel special by offering something exclusive, like “Sign up to be part of our VIP club—get access to secret sales, subscriber-only discounts, and early access to new arrivals!”

• Giveaway Entry: Encourage sign-ups with a monthly or quarterly giveaway: “Join our email list for a chance to win a $50 gift card—winners every month!” Make it a high enough value to really catch their attention.

• Free Gift with Purchase: Let customers know that signing up will get them something extra when they buy: “Sign up and get a free bonus item with your next purchase!”

• Flash Sales: Create a sense of urgency: “Email subscribers get 24-hour access to flash sales—be the first to know and save big!”

Don’t simply say “sign up for newsletter” or “join the email list”. Would that make you want to hand over your info? Probably not. Neither will they.

You need to give some thought to the audience you want to target and what might entice them to sign up. Don’t try to appeal to everyone; not everyone is your customer. For example if you sell dog toys, I’m never going to be your customer because I don’t have a dog (love dogs but don’t have one), so there’s no point wasting your time trying to get my info. It’s better to get five signups of people actually interested in what you sell than 100 and none are.

Follow-Up:

• Manually check for new sign-ups and add them to your email list in your chosen provider (if your form isn’t directly connected to your list).

• Send a welcome email thanking them for joining your list and introducing your products, along with any promised rewards or perks. Most email platforms can automate this.