You have a business show, and you need to prepare. If you’re like most people you’ll get to your event stand or booth and just stand there. Perhaps you’ll hope people come by and ask about your business or services. Maybe you’ll even try to show off your latest product.
So how can you stand out from the crowd, how can you make people care about you and not the other guy? Easy – follow these simple steps to have a successful business show.
Know Your Event
You need to research your even. Now’s the time to start Googling the organisations attending, the host putting on the event, and the people that are likely to attend.
If you can get a feel for your audience, and those that will be competing with you for that audience, you chances of increasing your visibility and making sales goes way up. Do you homework!
Market Yourself Early
We’ve all seen booths at business shows and events. Some are nearly empty, with a person that looks like they just want to go home. Others have all kinds of things to look at, and the people are happy and eager to answer your questions.
If you can get lots of marketing materials together, make your area of the show look nice and appear inviting then people are going to want to come over and look. And don’t forget the power of a few houseplants or flowers, either.
Speak, Speak, Speak!
Please don’t just stand around at your event. Don’t just smile at people as they pass you by. Instead, shout out ‘hello,’ tell them about your services, and generally act like a carnival barker.
Yes, you need to sell at these events, so put on your salesman’s hat. If you want people to be interested, you have to open your mouth.
Give Something Away
Everyone likes free things, even if they end up in the backseat of our cars for months after an event. So you want free things you can give away.
Pens and notepads are nice, but people won’t be too impressed. How about an eBook touting your services, a few hours free on your site’s member page, or simple pamphlet showing easy ways to increase traffic to business websites?
All of these are simple things you can start working on before your event. And they’ll make your event so much more successful.
Collect Leads
You can be the most popular booth at your business show, but unless you’re converting those visitors into customers, what’s the point?
Yes, you need to be collecting leads, and you need to be collecting lots of them. Your best bet is with an email signup form. Yes, it’s simple, but it’ll probably stay empty unless you’re offering an incentive for people to sign up.
Remember those free items you’re giving away? Get those email addresses before the deal is done.
Those are some simple but effective ways you can set yourself apart form the competition at your next business show. So what are you waiting for? Call us to get your leaflets, posters, exhibition graphics, brochures and more! Get out there and give them something to talk about!