It can feel a bit uncomfortable to just walk into a stranger’s home (which is what visitors do on a studio tour). Make sure the entrance to your studio or home is clearly marked with plenty of signs welcoming guests and letting them know they are welcome to come in. 

Open Doors will provide you with official signs to mark your location, but you may also decide to add some signs of your own, directing people to the correct entrance if it is not clear where people should enter. Tying balloons on your yard sign will also help people find you.

Whenever possible, leave the door open during tour hours. An open door, a welcome mat, or a small sign that says “Studio Tour Guests, Please Come In” can make visitors feel much more comfortable. If the weather does not allow you to leave the door open, place a sign at eye level letting guests know whether they should knock, ring the bell, or enter without waiting.

Make sure the path from the street or parking area to the entrance is easy to follow and free of obstacles. If guests need to walk around the side of the house, enter through a gate, or use a different door than your everyday entrance, place signs at each point where they might be unsure which way to go. Consider how the route will look to someone who has never visited your property before.

A warm greeting can also help guests feel at ease once they arrive. Welcome visitors as soon as you notice them, introduce yourself, and invite them to look around. Even a simple “Come on in, you’re in the right place” reassures guests that they are not intruding and sets a friendly tone for the rest of their visit.