Participating at a trade show is an investment that includes buying booth space on the trade show floor, preparing giveaways, and setting up a display booth. Direct interactions with potential customers as well as combining both audio and visual elements to form effective trade show displays are simple methods used to generate sales leads at trade shows. Here are some strategies you can use to maximize return on investment (ROI) and increase visitor interest at trade shows.
Multiple Promotional Activities at Each Phase of the Show
Divide your marketing activities into segments, and focus on what you should be doing before, during, and after the trade show; doing this helps with tracking effectiveness. Start a promotional activity before the trade show and generate awareness using social media, email marketing, road shows, etc. To guide people to your booth, set up fabric trade show displays at strategic locations throughout the trade show floor. During the trade show, invite prospective customers with attractive booth presentations that will engage them in meaningful ways; explain how your products can solve their problems. Adopt an effective process for following up with each prospect—you want to turn those leads into sales, that way you can easily cover the cost of the trade show investment.
Effective Networking Strategy
Networking is an essential part of a trade show, and such is why marketing staff should use every opportunity to interact with prospective customers, that way they can better understand customers’ needs. Divide your sales team in such a way so one group is engaging the interests of curious onlookers while the other is closing sales deals with new customers. Encourage sales representatives to engage in face-to-face discussions with visitors while giving product demonstrations, and recommend they use casual talk while setting up meeting areas within the booth space.
Unique Promotional Products
At a crowded trade show where numerous brands are trying to outdo competitors by giving out informational brochures and pamphlets, it’s easy to get lost in the information overload. Instead of giving out information through the traditional modes, which are likely to land in the trash anyways, focus on sharing information through direct conversation or by putting up retractable banners that share a lot of details. Do not waste funds on cheap giveaways like pens, armbands, and paper weights, and don’t just give individuals items because they happened to walk by your booth. Use creative promotional products that present your brand in a positive light and give these to attendees who share their contact details with your staff.