- Top Trade Show Secrets
- Great Networking Events to Attend
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Top Trade Show Secrets
Attending trade shows isn't just waking up in the morning, setting up a table and
throwing some brochures and business cards on it. Be prepared for this opportunity
and be ready to build your business. Trade shows can be a very efficient and effective
way to market yourself and your company. Here are some tips for successful trade
shows:
Step 1: Before the trade show
What is the purpose
for attending the trade show? What do you hope to accomplish? You can have more
than one goal, but make sure that they are possible by your involvement in the trade
show.
Which trade shows will help you to accomplish
your goals? Find out who is attending the trade show and then decide which show
will help you reach your target market best.
Once you have decided on the trade shows
that will best suit you, go ahead and book your space.
Invite people you know to attend the trade
show and to come and check out your booth. Call your customers, clients and anyone
else who you want to attend. You can also get a list of trade show attendees to
contact and invite to your booth.
Step 2: Develop a professional booth
Right when you book
your trade show, try and find out everything you can about the exhibit hall and
exactly where your booth will be. Where is it on the floor? Is it a slow or busy
area? Who will be working around you? Take note of anything that may affect you.
Choose the best location possible.
Design your booth in a professional manner.
Keep your space very neat and organized. No one likes clutter and if customers can’t
find the information they want/need they will quickly turn away.
Keep it simple and don't overload the
booth. Put only what you really need there as opposed to what you want. You can
have a theme, but make sure it is consistent throughout your booth. Your booth image
should also convey your brand.
Limit your promotional literature.
You don't want to have too much on the table but at the same time, make sure you
have a good supply of business cards and brochures. Check to be certain that your
phone number and web address is clearly visible.
Step 3: "Showtime"
Interactive displays like contest
drawings interest people. This doesn't need to be anything big, but it helps to
draw people to your booth. Not only does this attract attention, but it also is
a great way to collect contact information and develop a database for future customers.
If you are having a drawing, mention it in your invitation to attend your booth.
Aside from hosting a contest
drawing, you can have items to give away to people who come and visit your booth.
These are normally small items that are unique and that people can take away and
use; "use" being the key word. You don't want to hand out something that people
will never use, nor do you want to give away something that everyone else is—be
unique.
Make sure that you have everything you
need to carry out business. Do you have your order forms? What about pens and credit
card slips? Make sure you are prepared to close a deal right then and there.
No one likes walking up to
a booth only to have no one there to greet them. Be sure to have someone at your
booth at all times, but don't have your booth swamped with too many helpers. Inform
your employees that they need to be dressed professionally and must act accordingly.
Keep socializing with co-workers to a minimum and never when customers are present.
No sitting down on the job either. Always be ready when someone visits your booth;
give them a warm welcome, chat with them a little, and be prepared to answer any
questions they might have.
Breaks should be utilized as another means
of business. Take break time to walk around the exhibit hall to check out other
booths. Who else is there? Who is your competition? What are they doing? Who are
potential power partners? This is another aspect of trade shows that can be very
useful to you and your company.
Step 4: After the trade show
Take your newly developed database and
start following up with your contacts. Send them a direct mail and/or an email thank
you for attending and include a special offer. If you received permission to call
them, this is another approach to following up. Be careful of telemarketing laws.
The quicker you do this, the quicker you are able to build your business and become
a leading competitor in your field.
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Great Networking Events to Attend
Networking events are a great way to market your business by making connections
with other business owners and multiplying your contacts.
Here are some great networking events to attend this month:
NewBCI: This exciting speed networking event is
one-of-a-kind and a must attend.
1st and 4th Thursday morning every month, Check-in 7-7:30 a.m., event starts at 7:30-9:30.
1st Thursday is held at Hylands Golf Course, 9650 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster.
4th Thursday is held at Radisson Hotel, 3200 S. Parker Rd., Aurora.- To register and for more information, visit: www.newbci.com
DBJ Women's BizMix:
- June 25 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, 321 17th Street, Denver.
- Register at www.denver.bizjournals.com
under "Our DBJ Events".
Make-It-Fly Cafè:
- June 28 from 4:30-7 p.m.
- Season's Cafè in the DTC, located at 8101 East Belleview in the Marina Square
Center.
- There is no charge to attend.
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