1. Plan for follow-up.
We can’t stress this enough! Your results from tradeshows are only as good as your follow-up plan – the most critical phase of the tradeshow process. Preparation is key – have a plan in place from the time you decide to exhibit at a show. Planning makes following up much easier when you return to the office and your normal work routine.
2. Bring business cards…and plenty of them!
Nothing is worse than having a top buyer stop by your booth, only to find that you’ve forgotten to bring your business cards. Think business cards are passé, replaced by show scanners? Your business card is an opportunity to communicate personally with your leads and there are some new and innovative card options on the market that we’re excited about. Here is one new idea – [this new Business Card+ product from Moo].
3.Get creative with promotional items and giveaways.
Awesome promotional items and on-point giveaways are another way to stand out and spread brand awareness. We recommend having two giveaways – one higher end item for “VIPs”, as well as a more general giveaway for all show attendees. A giveaway (aka your ‘swag’) should be creative, well-designed, make sense for YOUR brand and should serve a purpose so prospects want it – and want to keep it. One example from last year was a set of measuring cups from a gluten-free baking brand. Now that’s on target and memorable!
4. Look the part.
Branded apparel adds an extra-polished touch to your presentation at tradeshows and can range from tees to ties. The options are endless – half-zip pullovers are professional, yet approachable. Fun tshirts with a hashtag for demo staff pull together your look and ensure all booth staff are coordinated, neat, clean and branded. Again, it is important to make sure that the apparel you choose makes sense for your brand’s image.
5. A picture says a thousand words.
You’ve got your phone in-hand, hopefully fully charged with battery pack in tow. Now, use it! Take a walk through the aisles and snap photos of booth trends, new competitive products, creative giveaways, top notch sales collateral and even contacts that you meet. You’ll remember a face much better from a photo than a quick conversation in front of a crowded booth – and you never know who you might meet!
If you’d like to discuss any of these in more detail, please do not hesitate to call us. We’d be happy to help!
