When you are getting ready for a trade show, it can be nerve-wracking since trade shows are a terrific opportunity to meet new prospects and connect with existing clients.
However, trade shows can also be nerve-wracking. You want to make sure that you get the most out of your investment and that you interact with as many potential customers as you possibly can; otherwise, the money will be well-spent.
Here are five tips to help you get the most out of your trade show booth and make sure that you maximize the investment:
- Make Sure Your Booth Is Visible And Welcoming
Most people attending a trade show will walk through the halls, looking for something interesting to stop them in their tracks. Make sure your booth is inviting and visible, with bright colors or signage so people can easily find it. Consider having a raffle or giveaway to attract more passersby and friendly staff who can answer any questions visitors may have.
- Prepare Appropriate Handouts
When attendees come to your booth, they should leave with some physical reminder of what your company has to offer; this could be anything from a brochure, business card, or even just a pen with your logo on it. By providing handouts, you are ensuring that people have something tangible to take away so they can remember you and contact you in the future.
- Offer Free Samples
Offering attendees samples of your product or service is an excellent way to engage visitors’ interest and demonstrate the quality of what you have to offer. Even if it’s not something physical, offering samples of any kind will help attendees get more familiar with your brand.
- Take Advantage Of Technology
Utilizing technology such as social media for promotion before and during the event will help build hype around your booth, drawing even more attention from attendees. You can also use digital displays, tablets, or laptops to showcase videos and presentations of your products or services.
- Follow Up With Your Contacts
After the event, be sure to follow up with all the contacts you’ve made during the tradeshow. This could include sending an email thanking them for their visit and offering more information about your business, or just a simple postcard with a photo from the event and some contact information.
Doing this will create lasting relationships and ensure that people remember your brand long after the trade show is over!
Additional Tips
Stand Up
There is nothing more demoralizing than approaching a booth and finding the exhibitor merely sitting there as if they are expecting business to be handed to them. Raise yourself to your feet and keep standing. Smile warmly and pleasantly at everybody who walks by your table; this will encourage them to come over and talk to you. It is best to stand in front of your table rather than behind it since this will prevent your table from acting as a barrier between you and any possible customers.
Stand Out
Because there can be hundreds or even thousands of exhibitors at trade shows, it is essential that you find a strategy to distinguish yourself from the competition. We are aware that this is easier said than done due to the fact that you are competing with a large number of other exhibitors who are also attempting to distinguish themselves from the crowd.
Have something that will attract people’s attention at your booth, such as a fun contest, an activity of some kind (such as face painting or chair massages), a short presentation, or anything else relevant to the event that you are participating in.
Create Hype For Your Booth
A week or two before the event, make contact with the types of people you would like to encounter at the show, such as business executives, mothers, office employees, and so on. Determine who you want to do business with, then ask those people to visit your booth by sending them invitations via social media and using your database. Give them some incentive, such as a discount, if you can—participation in a contest or anything else.
Do Not Expect Immediate Sales
The purpose of attending trade exhibitions and expos is to avoid making an immediate sale. It’s about making that initial connection with a new company so that you can grow those existing ties. Your booth should be built more to get people to interact with your company, whether it means liking your Facebook page, joining you on Linkedin, or signing up for your mailing list.
Identify The Type Of Person You Are Connecting With
This is something that can be challenging, but if done correctly, it has the potential to be very powerful. Everyone is different, and they all shop for various reasons, which influences the decisions they make.
If, for example, a salesperson approaches you, the most helpful thing he can do is provide you with the facts and numbers, omitting all of the fluff and other unnecessary information.
On the other hand, your companion is looking for the opposite side because they want to be astonished by its beauty, color, and other aspects. Therefore, you should identify the kind of person you are speaking to so that you may emphasize the elements of your product that they would find appealing.
Position
This is only sometimes under our control, but if possible, try to put your booth in an area that will see the most foot traffic. The most desirable booths are typically those in the corners or along the walls. Pay a visit to the location the day before set up to examine the layout and determine the spot that would work best for your services.
The design and branding of your trade show booth will set your firm apart from the competition, attract new clients, and offer you maximum visibility among guests. A little extra thought and work will go a long way toward ensuring that your booth stands out from the throng.
Breakthrough Productions is here to help you do just that. We are experts at creating custom trade show booths and displays that will make your company look its best. Contact us today to learn how we can help you stand out from the crowd!