The Ultimate Guide To Tradeshows
NOVEMBER 17, 2021| SpeedPro GreenvilleTrade shows have made a comeback this year as businesses seek to return to the tried-and-true method of meeting new prospects and patrons. As you get back into the swing of tradeshows, here is a short guide on how to make the most of your upcoming shows.
Prepare, Prepare, Prepare!
One of the best ways to ensure a successful trade show experience is to prepare ahead of time. You’ll want to do as much as possible before hand so your team is able to focus on your brand’s goals during the event. Which means you’ll have to have goals in the first place.
Set Tangible Goals for Your Show
As you ponder the upcoming event, think of your business’ goals, specifically for this event. Is your goal to fill a newsletter sign-up sheet, recruit on the spot or focus on securing support from a few key patrons? You goal will determine how your representatives approach other tradeshow goers, as well as the language they’ll use.
Whatever your goals are, make sure your team is on the same page. There’s no point in having clear goals when no one is actively pursuing them.
Build Excitement for Your Appearance
Once you’ve got your game plan, it’s time to get others excited about the event! Popular ways to spread word about your appearance at a trade show include:
- Newsletter or email campaign
- Social media teasers
- Temporary signage
- Giveaways
Giveaways especially help spread word and garner excitement when set up correctly. Often, businesses post on social media, asking people to share the post in order to enter the giveaway. If your prize is right, you’ll have no shortage of shares and publicity.
Check the Competition
Another great tip when planning your trade show approach is to check out what other businesses will be present. Knowing your competition can give you a competitive edge as you determine your marketing strategy and design your booth display. When you know your competitors, you can focus on the part of your brand that stands out compared to theirs.
Invest in a Stunning Booth Display
You know who your competitors will be, now you just need to outshine them. Your unique, custom display should draw the attention of any passersby and bring them to your booth.
Make Sure You’re Going to Stand Out
Your display is one of the main factors in drawing people to your table. People may not be able to count your freckles from a distance, but they should be able to tell who you’re representing. One of the best ways to attract attention from afar is to make your display taller than those around it – something you can’t miss.
Display Your Name Loud and Clear
One obvious consideration to make when designing your trade show display is to make your brand name visible! You want people to be able to find you easily, so make sure to display your brand name loud and proud for all to see.
Some businesses invest in bright LED displays showcasing their brand name. Others display their brand in large, bold lettering on hanging and standing banners. Still others use contrasting colors in their table coverings to make their dye-sublimated logos stand out.
Prioritize the Aesthetics
Your first impression on a possible prospect or patron is important. According to a Healthline article, first impressions are made in less than one-tenth of a second. That’s pretty quick – and if someone doesn’t like the way your booth looks, they might decide talking to you isn’t worth it.
One way to ensure your booth looks good is to invest in custom graphics. Custom graphics offer you full control of the finished look. With SpeedPro Greenville, these custom options include large step & repeat or fabric displays, smaller banner or fabric displays, printed table covers, lit displays, tablet stands and more. You can order all of these from SpeedPro Greenville and keep your graphics looking the same across multiple objects.
Be Creative/Tell A Story
As you’re designing, try to get creative with your message. People tend to gravitate more towards stories or testimonials rather than straightforward marketing copy. We want to be mentally and emotionally stimulated by the messages we read.
Even if you don’t have anything new at the moment, the way you present your message impacts the effectiveness of your message. Maybe there’s a new way to spin an old story or replace old images. Creativity doesn’t have to be budget breaking.
Encourage Interactions
The reason you’re at the trade show is to get interactions, right? So why not encourage those interactions with a minigame or a tablet display. An especially extroverted team member or a giveaway? No matter what you choose to do, interactions mean prospect touchpoints. The connections made at these trade shows could boost sales or partnerships.
Let the Show Begin
When the day you and your team have been preparing for finally arrives, it’s showtime. Display cases get packed into the transport van, papers and promotional items are shuffled around and the team buzzes with excitement.
Some best practices for the day of are: arrive early, be excited about your message and keep snacks and water readily available. Also, make sure to get those name badges scanned in order to record important follow up information.
Much of the work for a trade show happens before the event begins, but the effort put into conversing with prospects and potential patrons can be taxing as well. But, the effort will be worth it! With great preparation comes great success (usually). If you need any new graphics for your upcoming trade show, please don’t hesitate to reach out for a free quote.