You're Going To A Trade Show..Now What?

So you’ve signed up to participate in a trade show and you’re planning on showcasing your amazing products or services.  You’re excited to make people aware of your business, but a little nervous as well.  How are you going to present your company?  Will there be competing businesses?  How are you going to make yourself stand out?  Will people remember you?

You’ve come to the right place.

Start with your table.   Sure you can just toss a plastic cover from the dollar store over the top and call it a day, but no one’s going to be very impressed.   Instead, consider investing in a trade show display that will feature your company name and logo.  There are many cost effective items available to give a professional and classy appearance. A simple table cover may be all you need, or you might decide that you'd rather go 'whole hog' with an entire display.  Either way, use your company colors and logo so that you'll be recognizable.

Simple works.

So does the whole enchilada. 

 Once you've decided on how to face the public, you have to figure out a way to get them to your table.  Usually everyone tries to stop at each table, but it's much better to have people consider your display a 'destination.' Word of mouth is the simplest solution.  If you give the people at the show a reason to talk about you, they will. If they talk about you, people will want to see what you're up to. One idea is to hand out 'Tabbers'.  Everyone who stops at your display gets a wrist band, branded with your company information.  Attendees hand tear off tabs from the wrist band to other attendees, who then rush to your booth to get a bracelet of their own when they present you with the tab.  Why would everyone be so excited to help your cause?  At the end of the trade show you hold a drawing, choosing from the tabs that have been returned to you.  Whether you're raffling off an i Pad or a 50 percent discount on an order, everyone likes the chance to win. And if there are four other businesses at the trade show that provide the same service or product you do?  You will be the one that people remember.

Tabbers, a great way to draw a crowd. 

 Check back often for more ideas to make your trade show not only a great  investment in your business but a great time too!

 

The Road To A Trade Show

So you’ve decided to take part in a trade show.  Trade shows are an excellent way to let your current and future clients know about your products and services.   We’ve got a few tips to give you a head start and ensure your success.

Before you do anything, know what your objectives are and who you are trying to reach.  There are many types of trade shows, all over the world.  Are you trying to build your local business?  A regional trade show, geared toward businesses within a specific area, would be the best bet.   Who are you trying to reach?  If you’re trying to market the tax services of your accounting office, it doesn’t make sense to attend a trade show focusing on toys and games. 

Once you’ve decided on the right venue, the next step is making sure people know that you’ll be at the trade show.    Post the information on your website, as well as your social media channels.  You can send invitations, or create an event on Facebook and ‘invite’ people to attend.

Getting people to the trade show is the first step.  Getting them to your booth is another.  Consider sending out a direct mail piece with some type of incentive to encourage visitors.  A simple tear-off card that guests drop at your booth to enter a contest is one idea.  Another is to offer a free gift to those who present the mailer at your booth.  This will not only increase traffic, but allow you to gauge the effectiveness of your mailing. 

Now that you've let the everyone know you will be at the trade show, it's time to start preparing for attendance.  Is the show local?  Will you need transportation?  Hotel reservations?  Don't wait until the last minute and find yourself out in the cold.   What type of accommodations will you need at the show itself?  Will you need an electrical outlet nearby to power a display at your booth?  Make sure you make arrangements well before the day of the show.  

Know your booth size so that you can properly plan what you will display.  Will you have plenty of space to showcase your products and services?  Will you have space to hang items if you need to?  It's important to plan ahead so you can utilize the space in the best way possible.

As long as you plan ahead and have a firm plan to make the Trade Show a success it will be.  Stay tuned here for more great tips for making your trade show visit a triumph. 

Joe and Althea Take Vegas

Althea and I recently attended the Safeguard North American Business Meeting in Las Vegas.  The meeting lasted for 3 days and offered a number of classes focused on finding solutions for our customers needs, from social media marketing to high security check products to promotional product campaigns.  We also visited 70 of our top print and promotional vendors at a private tradeshow. 

With the end of the year coming it is time to begin planning for 2012 and our team at Safeguard is uniquely positioned to offer everything a business needs to drive sales, operate more efficiently and reward top employees.

-Joe