First trade show? Secure a booth and now need to figure out how to make it a worthy investment?
Have no fear, we're here to help you put a strategy into play so you are the most successful at trade shows!
There are many benefits of exhibiting at a trade show. Trillions of business deals are done at trade shows every year. The biggest and best trade show booths definitely have the edge, but not all are successful.
Why you ask? Because some businesses simply do not plan enough. Your success is measured by how much effort you put in.
We came up with 5 tips to help:
1. First Impression
While the studies don’t agree on one specific number – they all agree that you have less than 30 seconds to impress someone. Studies also show that a first impression has a high correlation with the actual long-term status of your relationship. So have a plan, be prepared.
Correlate this to someone’s first impression of your a brand. It takes one fifth of a second to form an opinion of a website and 94% of that opinion is design related.How is your booth set up? Is it clear who you company is? Do the colors, design and general esthetics make people want to walk up to you? Does your booth look like a fun place to be? Are the tablecloths, displays and every item on brand with your business? How will you write your presentation so that you will come out with a positive ROI from attending a trade show?
Brand imagery affects consumer opinion. We know not all companies have a big budget, but one thing you can't skip on for a trade show is your booth/exhibits design. You want to standout.
2. Create Hype
Booths that have a lot of people around them create interest. Seeing people having fun makes other people want to come see what is going on. How do you make people come to your booth? Have your employees and friends come dressed as attendees and have them hang out at your booth engaging with what your have set up.Create a buzz, make other people want to come over and see what all the hype is about!
Just be sure to have enough regular staff/employees available to engage with those coming over to your booth.
3. Stretch to the Max
Promotional giveaways that are easily visible at your booth are key to extending your reach. Hand out big stickers, wearables, light up items, phone accessories, etc. Turn it into a game, those who wear your promo items will be entered to win something big at the end of the show. (Your services, a gift card, a gift basket, etc.) The more people you get to wear your items, the more others will want one. They also serve as a great conversation starter for attendees- and your brand and booth are inserted into that conversation when they see the items. If everyone has on a blinking bracelet, everyone will want to know where it came from and where they can get one. By the end of the trade show everyone will know "Company X" because of your creative promotional items!
4. Preparing for the Trade Show
Market your business before the actual show. Many companies reach out to attendees 4 - 6 weeks before the show. Again, make sure you have a full strategy so you maximize your investment. Have a purpose for what you are doing. The biggest success stories come from the companies with the most thought out marketing campaign at the show. Each thing you decide to incorporate, think about it. Why are you adding it to your display; what purpose does it serve? Give it your full focus, take plenty of time to think it through come up with strategy and make your investment worth while.
5. Create a Memorable Experience
Try to display your business offering in an interactive way, or a way that you create an awesome experience.
Does you business solve a problem? How can you translate that into an experience? Show them a different, maybe physical representation of the problem and translate it into your solutions. Create an experience that helps connect attendees with your brand.
Unique ideas get the most buzz only if the strategy harmonizes with the brand and the industry.