Many things need to be considered when planning a trade show appearance. Planning in advance will help you make sure that your trade show involvement is worth the money you put into it, so give yourself time to do it right! Here are some things to consider to make your trade show appearance the best it can be.
Set Clear Objectives
What do you want to accomplish by exhibiting in the trade show? Ask yourself this question before you even book your booth. If you develop a clear and attainable answer to this question, you’re well on your way to making your experience a positive one.
Knowing what your goal of attending the trade show is will help you to tailor your booth, marketing materials, and overall approach to achieve that purpose.
Design a Striking Booth
Your booth is the first impression your customers will have of your product, service or business, so you want to make it eye-catching! Consider using bold colors, large graphics, and interesting lighting to bring the spotlight to your booth. Make sure your message is clear and your branding is consistent throughout.
Earnest Images can help your booth stand out from the crowd. We provide a wealth of experience in producing high quality booths, as well as storing them and shipping them for you to each trade show appearance.
Train Your Staff
Your trade show booth staff are vitally important to your success at the show. Make sure they are approachable, friendly, and knowledgeable about your business. Making eye contact with visitors to the booth is important, so phones and computers should not be in the way.
You may want to role-play engaging with visitors with your booth team before the show opens so that expectations are clear and success is guaranteed.
Include Interactive Experiences
Offering an experience draws people into your booth. Product demonstrations, contests, or games that showcase your product or service are great ways to get people talking about your business and generate new leads. Creating unique experiences that showcase your products or services sets your business apart and attracts more attendees to your booth.
Follow Up Quickly
The faster you follow up, the greater chance you have of turning a lead into a customer. Sending a personalized email, or making a phone call to a lead following a trade show illustrates that you care about developing a business relationship. Quick follow up also keeps your brand fresh in their minds.
Use Social Media
Social media has become an integral part of marketing and communication for businesses, so use it to your advantage when it comes to trade show appearances. Generating buzz before a trade show may help increase foot traffic to your booth. You can also share sneak peeks of new products or services and encourage your audience to share the posts.
During the trade show, you can provide real-time updates. Share photos and videos of your booth, demonstrations and interactions with customers. Your followers will be engaged and informed about what’s going on with your business.
Network with Other Exhibitors
Networking with other exhibitors at trade shows can be very beneficial for business. Exhibitors who are in the same industry or who provide complimentary services or products can collaborate and work together creating new business opportunities. Networking can also help you build industry connections that may lead to future business.
Measure Results
Measuring the results of your trade show appearance helps you determine whether your participation in the show was successful. You can measure any new business that resulted from the trade show against the cost of appearing at the show. Measuring your results also allows you to improve your strategy for trade shows if things didn’t go exactly as you planned.
Planning a trade show appearance for your business? Contact Earnest Images for help in designing your booth and setting your business up for a positive return on investment!
