Tradeshow Tips

Articles...
Ten Tips For A Successful Show
Stop Taking Notes on Business Cards
Tradeshow Know How

Ten Tips For A Successful Show

By Barry Siskind

1. Focused objectives

Don't fall victim to the common show fallacy that your booth can be everything to everyone. It all starts with having a focused objective - the one or two results that will justify your show participation.

2. Choose the right show

Every show attracts a different group of attendees. The attendees at any show should closely match the profile of your prospective customer. The trick is to choose shows that provide quality rather than shear quantity.

3. Pre-show promotion

The show promotion that your show manager conducts will bring qualified prospects to the door. Your promotion will bring them to your booth. Don't ignore this crucial element to your success.

4. Well trained booth staff

Working a show presents a unique set of challenges to booth staff. Ensure that you have taken the time to acquaint your bothers with the skills they need to make the show really pay off.

5. Effective follow-up plans

When the show is over your real job begins, and it has to happen as quickly as possible. In order to make sure your leads turn into business, your follow-up plans should be finalized long before the show starts.

6. Reasonable staff schedule

Working a booth can be grueling. In order to ensure that your staff is at their best, regular scheduled breaks are necessary. Every 3-4 hours is the ideal length of time to spend at a booth before a break is needed.

7. Proper booth signs and graphics

Attendees at a show quickly become overloaded with information. Having signs and graphics that are vague and difficult to understand adds to this confusion so that the visitor may not understand what it is you do and keep on walking.

8. Good informative literature

Everyone wants to take brochures. In order to ensure they are read, have fewer brochures in your booth to give out. Take the names of those who are really interested and mail the material to them after the show.

9. Take advantage of the hidden opportunities

Lots of business comes from your booth but there is more to a show. To take advantage of other networking opportunities check your show schedule and plan to participate in as many events as possible.

10. Have fun.

Trade shows can be exciting, challenging and fun. If you can approach your show with this attitude, your positive outlook will rub off on the attendees.