Well be open minded and be a teacher and an advisor for the newbie. Talk to them and find out what they want, not what you want to sell them. A lot of people starting out either can not afford the top of the line bow or they want to make sure they want to shoot a bow and as a result do not want to spend a fortune.

I feel the beginning archer is the key to a successful bow shop, if the first time they walk in the door you work with them, set them up with what they need and can afford, set the bow up for them and treat them with the same respect you do the guy coming in buying the absolutely top of the line bow with all the accessories, they will become a lifetime customer. When they are looking to move up to a better bow they would never dream of going anywhere else but you.

One more suggestion, if a guy comes in with a bow he bought mail order or whatever, set him up for a nominal fee, bend over backwards with good service even though he didn't buy the bow at your shop, he very well may buy from you next time due to your professionalism and help.

There were some other good suggestions by other folks to. One more thing, you may want to give archery classes for a nominal fee also, you will gain more new business this way because when someone is having problems due to tuning or whatever that is extra cash for you and once again a potential new bow customer in the future.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club