Taking Your Show on the Road: How to Get the Most from Attending a Tradeshow.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Taking Your Show on the Road: How to Get the Most
from Attending a Tradeshow?

- by Todd Jensen

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Tradeshows are valuable ways to generate leads, network
and stay abreast of the competition. And they can be
intimidating! Figuring out how to stand out from the
crowd, which shows to exhibit at and what’s the best
way to make strong connections with potential customers
are important questions to ask before taking to the
road.

Send Invitations

A common method of directing traffic to your exhibit
booth is to rent a list of conference attendees and
send them an invitation to visit your booth. Be sure to
include your booth number and location.
A less expensive alternative to renting this list, is
to send an invitation to your current mailing list of
current and prospective clients. You may want to
promote a special deal if they place an order or sign a
contract for services while attending the show.

Your Booth is an Advertisement—
Make it Stand Out

Don’t stop trying to draw people to your exhibit just
because you have done some pre-show promotion. Once
you’re at the show, have a game plan.
Think of your exhibit booth like an advertisement.
Don’t just rely on your logo and corporate identity to
make your booth stand out. Display a headline that
addresses a common problem your customers experience
and you can solve. Make sure you have conveyed what’s
in it for your customers to use your product or service
and attend your booth.

Consider handing out chocolate, pens, anti-stress toys
and other giveaways that you can use to leave an
impression and put your logo on.

Offer Incentives

Now that you have people in your booth, make sure you
have a clever and concise spiel about your business.
Collect business cards in a bowl or a hat. Don’t forget
to offer an incentive for the business card—promise to
pull a business card to receive a free service, tickets
to a show or dinner at a popular restaurant.
Whenever possible make sure your booth never goes
unmanned. Being there to make a connection with clients
is half the mission.

Choose Effective Speakers

It’s important to staff the booth with people who find
it easy to talk to strangers. The gift of gab is a
critical component of tradeshow success.
Consider contacting the show producer in advance and
enquire about speaking
opportunities at the conference or seminar. Not only
does it position your company as an authority, it puts
a face to your company.

Follow Up With Your Leads

Finally, don’t make the mistake that most companies
do—the quickest way to put a flat tire on your road
show is to not make use of the valuable leads you
generate.

Research analysts estimate that 55-70 percent of leads
generated at a tradeshow are never contacted or used.
Sending a note, email or personal message can lead to
valuable sales.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Todd Jensen, “The Profit Engineer”, has helped hundreds of
business owners make their business more successful and
profitable. For tips and strategies on how to boost your
business success as well as increase your profits, visit
http://www.theprofitengineer.com or
http://www.maxqtc.com
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.