Trade show Tips: How to stand out at a trade show and get results!

Standing out at a trade show and driving booth traffic is a difficult task when you are just one of among hundreds of other exhibitors.  There are many simple things you can add to your trade show routine that can help take you to the next level. There are also some things that may require a little more time, effort, or money, but will pay off in the long run. The following trade show tips should get you going in the right direction to driving trade show booth traffic and results.

 

Book early to get a good spot.

Sign up early so you can have your choice of high traffic spots and most importantly, avoid the dead zones. The later you wait to book, odds are the less desirable a location you will end up with.  All booth spaces were not created equal! It’s all about location, location, location!

 

Promote your social media accounts.

Facebook and Twitter can be valuable resources when it comes to networking with clients and promoting new products. Give people incentives to like your page by promoting a big giveaway to tradeshow attendees, in which one lucky fan will a big prize!

 

Do not be too aggressive.

This should be an obvious one, but unfortunately there are always people who get a little too overzealous.  Be confident, excited, knowledgeable, but never aggressive.  This tactic doesn’t work in the long run. You will only scare people off and cause others observers to avoid your booth.

 

Respond to leads quickly.

Get back to potential clients as soon as possible. The longer you wait to contact them, the more likely they will have looked elsewhere. When you get a lead and think, “this can wait til Monday”, there is someone else responding to them that very instant.

 

Be prepared to set appointments on the spot.

There are times when someone in your booth will be very interested in your product or service right then and there. At this point a lot of people will exchange business cards and tell the client to give them a call to discuss the next step. Why not catch them at the peak of their excitement and set the appointment before they lose your card,  lose interest, or connect with someone else.

 

Promote your booth space ahead of time.

Let both current and potential clients know when you will be showcasing at a trade show.This is a great opportunity for them to come out and see first hand what new and innovative things you have to offer.  Social media, emails, and old fashioned phone calls are all great ways to accomplish this.

 

 

Bring in a photo booth.

Noone can resist a photo in the age of the selfie. Having fun props for people to play around with will definitely draw people in. All the better if you can find props that represent your company in some way. Be sure to create a hashtag for photo booth goers to use when they upload their pictures to social media sites.  You can make this a contest, as well, by offering a prize for the most creative.

 

Have unique giveaways.

When handing out promotional items to those in attendance, be sure to pick items that will actually get used. Things like hats and keychains with your logo on them may seem like a good idea, but have you ever seen people use these types of items in the real world? Instead find items that will make you stand out, even better if they have some relevance to your company.

 

Don’t cheap out on the candy.

If you decide to use candy as a giveaway in your booth, make it the good stuff!  Tootsie Rolls and knock off hard candies aren’t going to draw people into your space. Stick with the brands people love. And remember, no one can resist chocolate!

 

Draw people to your booth with fun games and prizes.

Things such as bean bag toss, video games, a putting green, and football toss are fun ways to catch the attention of those passing by. Not only will you have the game players attention, but also the attention of the others who gather to watch. Consider offering a prize at the end of the show for the high score. This will keep people checking back in with your booth, helping to  imprint your brand on their mind. Classic things such as raffles and prize wheels are a great way to collect client information, as well.

 

Keep your booth clutter free.

The way your booth looks is a representation of you and your company. Keep it clean and don’t over crowd the space. You want your area to be inviting and easy to look at. You may be tempted to cram something into every square inch of your booth to make the most of it, but that would only be off putting and a strain on the eyes.

 

Do not eat in the booth.

It just looks unprofessional and sloppy. First of all, people will avoid your booth because they feel like they are interrupting your meal and second it can be a bit off putting to try to talk to business with someone while they are chomping away on potato chips or have mustard on their lip.  If you want trade show booth traffic, definitely avoid snacks while you are in the clock.

 

Man your booth with knowledgeable staff.

Make sure the staff in the booth is well informed and equipped to answer typical questions trade show goers may have. Staff should be sure not to just stand there with crossed arms and chat amongst themselves.They need to look open and ready to interact. Also consider a uniform with logos and name tags help the event goers know who is manning the booth. If you bring in the booth traffic you need staff who can answer their questions.

 

Have plenty of cards and brochures.

Bring along more than you think you will need. Don’t be that guy scrambling for a piece of paper to write down your information for a potential client because you ran out of business cards. Not only does it look amateur, but they will end up losing or throwing out that scrap of paper.

 

Display professional, high quality signage.

Your signs need to easy to read from afar. They should be intriguing and make it clear what you do. Your signs may be your first shot at drawing people in so be sure to use a high quality printing service and incorporate eye catching colors and design.

 

Hire crowd drawing entertainment.

This is one of the best ways to get all eyes on your booth space. Choosing a fun act will be sure to get people walking by to stop in and see what’s going on.  Having various showtimes scheduled throughout the day is a great way to guarantee crowds and keep prospective clients returning to your booth.  Choosing a unique tradeshow entertainer like Speed Painter Tim Decker will make you the talk of the event.

 

Consider adding phone charging station to your area.

After running around a tradeshow all day, this is something people will definitely appreciate. While their devices are charging, use the opportunity to talk about your company and what you have to offer.

 

Have samples of your actual product on hand.

Whenever possible, provide potential clients with the opportunity to actually handle and try out what you are selling.  That will always be one of the easiest and most obvious ways to pitch a product.

 

Give your booth a modern look.

Use clean lines, sleek banners, and eye catching backdrops to be seen as someone on top of current trends. If you’ve been doing trade shows for some years, you may want to update your booth from time to time so people don’t view your company as outdated.

 

Keep the front of the booth clear.

Do not block the front of your booth with tables and shelves.  You will end up forming a barrier that people won’t want to cross.  Keeping the front open will make it easier for traffic to flow right into your space.

 

Display your products upright.

How you display your items matter. You want people to see what you have to offer from outside the booth. Laying items flat on a table is not eye catching, so find ways to display your products in an upright manner

 

 

Use signs to help sell your product.

Incorporating signs into your product display is a way to sell before you even open your mouth. Examples that grab attention would be signs such as, “New!” or “Bestseller!”.

 

Promote media coverage your company has received.

People are drawn to things they have read about or seen on tv. So impress tradeshow attendees by finding ways to show any positive attention your company or products have received.

 

Find ways to incorporate technology.

Consider using a tablet to collect client information instead of business cards and forms. People like playing around with technology so this is potentially a great way to gather more information than past years.

 

While trade shows are an effective way to grow your client base, they can be pricey. The last thing you want to do is shell out a lot of money to promote your brand, only to make some easily avoidable mistakes. Incorporating the above trade show tips will definitely help you to stand out in the crowd, bring in booth traffic, and take full advantage of your trade show booth space.