Exhibiting at trade shows is an effective way of gaining unique business opportunities in your industry. You get immediate access to potential customers, industry leaders, and business partners. It also provides you the opportunity to meet suppliers and resellers in a prospective market. Pulling off a successful trade show takes time, patience, a budget, and an efficient marketing strategy. Here are a few tips to ensure maximum brand visibility and success at your next exhibition.
Plan Strategically and Ahead of Time
Trade shows require a significant amount of resources to capitalize on the opportunity, so you need to start planning your event a few months in advance. More planning often equals less stress during the exhibition. Make a concise budget of all expenses and stick to it. Outline your end objectives and come up with a game plan. By outlining a clear idea of what you want to achieve by attending a trade show, you can set yourself up for success. This can also help you to consider all of the elements of your upcoming trade show.
Measurable Goals
A clear set of measurable objectives can guarantee you get the best return on your investment. Some common trade show goals include building a better relationship with clients, unveiling new products, increasing brand prominence, generating qualified leads, creating networking opportunities, gaining publicity, bolstering press coverage, learning about emerging industry trends, and more. By focusing on goal-setting, you can improve your profitability. Whatever objectives you set, make sure they sync with your marketing plan. Write your goals, educate your team on them, and continue to work towards achieving them. Make time to review your goals regularly and analyze their effectiveness after the trade show as well.
Develop the Right Marketing Material
During the planning phase, note all the marketing materials needed for the event. Business cards, brochures, sales sheets, lanyards, flyers, trade show displays, demonstration products, training materials for booth staff, signs, retractable banners, and display boards are some of the event materials to consider. You may also need promotional items such as balloons, key chains, tote bags, t-shirts, water bottles, headbands or other products to hand out to everyone who visits your trade show booth. Make sure you align these marketing materials with your brand logo for maximum reach.
Create Interactive Experiences
Interactive touch screens can help to drive engagement at trade shows. You can embed touch screen technology in walls, panels, or tables to deliver your brand story or product information. Make use of virtual reality to bring your brand and products to life. It can attract attendees and provide a unique educational opportunity. You can also use digital technology to combine gaming with touch screen and motion recognition technology for an interactive experience. Another method is to invite attendees to recharge their batteries, literally and figuratively. A charging station can draw people in and encourage them to stick around for a while.
Offer Contests and Giveaways
Everyone loves a chance to win. Hosting games and contests can attract people to your trade show booth. As these games and contests pique the interest of attendees, you can expect high foot traffic to your booth. Gaming consoles, matching contests, prize putt-putt, trivia games, Plinko, counting games, digital fishbowls, scratch-off cards, jumbo games, email sign-ups, prize drawings, and photo contests can encourage people to participate and win prizes. Whatever game or contest you decide to host, create a level of comfort and fun while making a connection that extends beyond the exhibition floor.