People attend trade shows because they are in a specific industry and want to learn more. They want to know what's new and how you will help them.
So, you print up lots of fancy brochures, develop demonstrations, have unique gifts or hand-outs - and want to get rid of it all before the end of the show, so you don't have to ship it home.
If you think your only job as an exhibitor is to GIVE information, you are wrong.
You exhibit at trade shows because you are in a specific industry and need to keep up with trends. You need to know what's new and how it will affect you, your suppliers, your partners and your clients.
Trade shows are the ideal time for you to GATHER information. The show gives you the opportunity to gather market intelligence that is important to your particular company.
Here are three simple steps to being a smarter marketer:
LISTEN for
1. New words. New words means there are changes in your industry you don't know about. It may be a technology, a process or a company, but learn all you can while at the show.
2. New concerns. When people visit your booth, listen carefully for their underlying concerns about the economy, competition, mergers, politics, big issues. These may affect your business later, so begin to prepare now.
ASK about
1. What you need to know. Before the show, determine critical information you would like to have for your company. Ask other people in your company what they would like to know, not just what's important to your division or department.
2. Trends. You don't know everything. People are flattered when you ask their opinion about changes in their specific part of the industry.
WRITE it down
1. Right now. Trade shows are busy, noisy environments. You can't trust your memory, so write the information down on the lead card or other form you will keep.
2. For distribution. After the show, take all the information you have gathered and write a confidential report about what you learned. Distribute it to those people in your organization who need to know and can act on this information.
Three simple steps to make you more aware of your industry and to keep your company in the forefront.
Julia O'Connor - Speaker, Author, Consultant - writes about practical aspects of trade shows. As president of Trade Show Training, inc,, now celebrating its 10th year, she works with companies in a variety of industries to improve their bottom line and marketing opportunities at trade shows.
Julia is an expert in the psychology of the trade show environment and uses this expertise in sales training and management seminars.
Information and free Newsletter at http://www.TradeShowTraining.com
Trade Show Training, inc.
PO Box 17155, Richmond, VA 23226
804-355-7800 - fax 804-288-0231
julia@TradeShowTraining.com
How do you make the intangible real? How do you... Read More
I nearly panicked recently! Well, maybe a slight exaggeration but... Read More
Make Marketing a Must, Not a MaybeWhen business is booming,... Read More
60+ hour workweeks, cash flows that constantly keep you up... Read More
Sounds pretty harsh, doesn't it? Well, I can tell you... Read More
In my e-book "Articles That Sell", I've shared the secret... Read More
Many service professionals tell me that they are uncomfortable with... Read More
I don't know if you have ever seriously considered bartering.... Read More
Sometimes we loose site of the small things in life... Read More
Fellow Publicity Insiders, what does... Read More
Ted Nicholas is a marketer with a proven track record.... Read More
Are postcards better for building awareness or for selling?In my... Read More
In today's competitive (sometimes cutthroat) marketplace, savvy business owners need... Read More
Trading reciprocal links is one of the best ways to... Read More
As a small business how do you compete with the... Read More
In direct mail lore, there's a rule stating that you... Read More
Do you cringe at the thought of trying to promote... Read More
In the fundraising profession, appeal letters that you mail to... Read More
Do you ask prospective clients to go too far?Must your... Read More
It's quite apparent that Americans are living... Read More
Are your marketing messages to Realtors® guilty of these promises?-... Read More
Mortgage marketing to Realtors involves having a crystal clear position... Read More
Now that you have had a chance to create a... Read More
What is the single most important thing you can do... Read More
One of the hardest jobs in fundraising is crafting original... Read More
Looking for a great way to drive traffic to your... Read More
The lowly postcard?it's more than just a "having fun, wish... Read More
A case study in online "thinking outside the box" The... Read More
Unless your company has absolutely no competition now or in... Read More
What is Upselling?It means pre-selling any additional features of your... Read More
Marketing can be expensive. It doesn't have to be, but... Read More
When marketing themselves to leads and prospects there are five... Read More
Use a business card as a note pad for recording... Read More
Same old same old just doesn't sell anymore. To... Read More
Marketing expert and author, Geoffrey Moore, has a useful fill-in-the-blank... Read More
What Is A Joint Venture?A joint venture is an agreement... Read More
Do you ever wonder how some businesses always seem to... Read More
Gain the exposure you need to succeed with these ten... Read More
A funnel is a good way to think of the... Read More
I nearly panicked recently! Well, maybe a slight exaggeration but... Read More
Skilful business writing involves getting your message across simply and... Read More
No, that's not a typo in the title. Resolutions are... Read More
We all know the English language contains hundreds of thousands... Read More
What's your USP? Don't know, or worse still, you've never... Read More
So you have a Web site. And so does most... Read More
The marketing decisions you make for your new business are... Read More
When you hear the word "marketing" what comes to mind?... Read More
First I want to welcome you to part two of... Read More
If you want to substantially increase your tourism prospects and... Read More
Opportunity Assistance Business Resource Center http://www.opportunityassistance.comAt first you... Read More
Marketing Marketing |