Trade shows are notorious for costing companies a lot of time, resources, and money. It can be a headache for companies to pull one off successfully.
But, it doesn’t have to be.
With some innovative planning, preparation, and goal-setting, you can make your exhibition an incredible success. In fact, not only will you be able to get a successful ROI, but you will be able to expand your business, get more leads, and make an impression.
Check out these 10 tips to make your trade show a success
- Make your booth stand out
First impressions are everything. If your booth looks run-of-the-mill, the attendees will assume you’re run-of-mill. Make yourself stand out
- Promotional materials
Make your company visible throughout the event. Use your promotional giveaways to get people involved, and create a big giveaway at the end of the event for those who are wearing your items. You could use anything- stickers, arm bands, or light-up items to make your company easily seen and get people talking
- Bring the crowd
If people see a crowd at your booth they will be more likely to go over themselves. Get people coming over by setting up networking opportunities in advance, or even having your own people dressed as attendees
- Make an experience
Encourage people to make a memory at your booth. By having people engage not only with you but others at your booth will make your company more memorable, enjoyable, and successful. Consider implementing touch screens as a way to get people engaging with your company, or create an interactive experience, such as Globetrotter’s weather rooms in which they let customers experience extreme weather conditions (while wearing their equipment, of course)
- A home away from home
Don’t forget that attendees are spending hours on their feet! Make sure your booth is hospitable. Have water, coffee, and tea available.
- Service with a smile
Make sure your booth is always manned by an engaging, knowledgeable employee. There should always be someone ready to engage and interact with attendees. Create a competition between your booth staffers to see who can get the most leads, and reward them with a prize at the end
- Don’t Walk in Blind
It’s a common mistake to only focus on your own booth and company when going into a trade show. Make sure you know not only who your target audience is going to be, but also which other competitors will be there and how they are likely to advertise.
- Follow Up Promptly
You’ve put in so much time and energy into getting the leads, make sure you follow up on the opportunity! The longer you wait, the less the lead will remember you. Be sure to thank leads for their interest, and don’t worry about following up too fast! Follow up the next day so that you are fresh in the attendee’s mind
- Invite your clients
Bring your best clients to the show! Not only will you show them appreciation by getting them into an exclusive event, but they will be likely to reward you with continued business
- Measure your success
All of these tips will be meaningless if you can’t accurately judge their return! Determine your goals for the trade show and quantify them, whether it’s leads gained, sales made, or shares on social media. Make sure you can see the benefit so you can even further perfect things for your next trade show
Be sure to think about your brand, your company, and the things you want to achieve by going to this trade show. Creative ideas are wonderful, but it’s important to make these ideas fit with your image and your goals. Trade shows can be an amazing opportunity to build your business- make the most of your experience
