Trade shows can be the perfect way to get your business in front of a larger audience and make valuable connections. You need to have the right strategy, though, because these shows are typically packed with plenty of other businesses trying to accomplish the same thing as you. If you don’t stand out from the rest of the pack, you’ll only waste time and money. Fortunately, by remembering a few simple tips, you can set your business apart and have a successful trade show experience.
Get a Prime Location
With how much e-commerce has grown, the “location, location, location” adage doesn’t necessarily hold true for every business anymore. But when it comes to trade shows, the old rules still apply. A prime location can make the difference between people checking out your booth right when they arrive or passing by it because you’re in the middle of a long row of booths.
Trade shows typically charge extra for the best spots, but if you can afford one, it’s well worth it. Remember that you may be able to negotiate a better deal if you can commit to attending the show for multiple years.
Use Displays to Make Your Booth Stand Out
In a sea of trade show booths, you’re going to need something to draw people to yours. Displays and trade show graphics in Chicago are one of the most effective options because they naturally get people’s attention.
You can have displays made for your business and its products by working with a printing company. Depending on what you prefer, you can either give them artistic control or explain exactly what you want done. For the best results, you’ll want to have a larger display that can draw eyes even from across the room, and smaller displays with more information for when people visit your booth.
Offer Special Trade Show Promotions
Even though it’s important to get people’s attention, you also need to give them a reason to check out what your booth offers. Think about what would entice your target audience to stop in. Promotions only available at the trade show are a popular choice. This could be a discount on a specific product or even free products.
Contests and raffles are other good ways to attract people to your booth. Make sure you get everyone’s contact information when they sign up. You may want to have some snacks and drinks available, as well. It may be simple, but when people have been walking around all day, free food and refreshments are quite the draw.
Give Visitors Options When They Come to Your Booth
The more options there are available at your booth, the more people it will appeal to. If the only source of information is your staff and they’re tied up talking to people already, others will need to wait around for their turn. In all likelihood, they’ll just decide to leave and go somewhere else.
Aim to include a variety of different things to do at your booth. For example, you could have tablets where people can check out your business’s promo videos, pamphlets they can read and take with them, and staff available to hand out merchandise and answer any questions. This way, your booth will satisfy a wider range of people.
With a successful trade show experience, you can greatly boost your business’s brand awareness and grow your customer base. All you need to do is prepare well and follow the right strategy, and you’ll have a booth that everyone wants to check out.