Plan, Promote, and Profit
Just having a booth at the Home Show doesn't mean you'll get new leads or customers. Every business has to do some work beforehand to make the most of their investment of time and dollars. The tips below can help you make the difference in your experience this year. We want you to connect with new customers so your business will grow and prosper in 2012.
Top Mistakes of Trade Show Exhibits
No Clear Signage - The worst thing you could do is not have clear signs to let attendees know who you are.
Dull Trade Show Exhibits - Effective displays don't have to be expensive, but they should have some activity or gift that will hold the attendee's attention. Demonstrations, presentations, games, drawings, and promotional products are all great ways to appeal to your audience.
No Follow Up - Not everyone that stops by your booth will be ready to buy your product, but they may be interested after they leave the event. About a week after the show, either call or send thank-you cards with your business card to make sure your leads know you appreciated them stopping by your booth. They will definitely remember you when they're ready to do business.
Low or No Cost Ways to Improve Your Performance
There are lots of ways to improve your performance at the Home Show without hefty price tags. Here are some low or no cost ways to to make the 2012 SACA Home & Garden Show the best ever.
1. Identify your target customer. Do you know who it is?
2. PLAN your exhibit weeks/months BEFORE the event, not the week before or day before.
3. Send e-mail reminders to loyal customers and strong prospects before the show, urging them to stop by your booth.
4. Send enough people to ensure adequate trade show booth coverage throughout the show.
5. Give each booth staffer a specific role, with job expectations clearly spelled out.
6. Stress the value of friendly greetings, polite manners, and appropriate body language.
7. Make sure at least some of the people going to the show are prepared to answer technical questions.
8. Send friendly, personable people with a genuine enthusiasm for your company, its products and services.
9. Establish a dress code for your staffers: They'll look more professional and act as better ambassadors for your company.
10. Two words: Breath Mints.
11. Product demonstrations are a great way to draw a crowd: Make sure your team knows how to give an effective, engaging presentation by having them practice before the trade show.
12. Designate a 'go-to' person to act as a liaison with trade show management. The better your relationship with management is, the better your show experience will be.
13. Establish a follow up protocol for hot leads, promising prospects, and likely customers. Use this protocol to turn leads into sales.
14. Say "Thank You" to attendees for stopping by, to anyone who fills out survey information or participates in a demonstration, during your follow up calls.
Tips from smashhitdisplays.com
