Trade Show Display Booth ? A Marvelous Contact System

Trade show booths are one of the best direct contact systems with end consumers. The face to face meeting opportunity with customers can provide some excellent results?provided you have a good communication strategy in place. Keep in mind that there are at least a hundred other advertisers at the same trade show vying for the attention of the consumer, you have a small window to make an impression on the persons mind. Here are some tried and tested strategies to implement to maximize your on-the-floor communication:

Be crisp: Don't make the mistake of beating around the bush while communicating at the trade show either verbally or visually. No one has the time to listen to a sales person rambling on (and if someone does listen to long sermons at tradeshows, he probably has no where else to go to). You need put across your message selling the product or service in hand in a direct manner. Your booth display should have the message in readable format with meaningful graphics. Meaningless graphics are the biggest turn-offs for the trade show veteran.

For example, use graphics and text on the display which communicates directly about your products and services. Avoid using generic graphics. If you are not sure of what to put there, take professional help. It is also advised that you get display design done by professional agencies rather than in-house team. This may be a bit more expensive, but if you get a re-usable variety, the costs are going to be well justified.

Know the demographics: Most trade show organizers give information about last year's demographics of visitors. These inputs can form an important ingredient in your communication strategy as you get to know the visitors before they visit your booth and prepare your pitch accordingly. Sometimes, it might also be a good idea to break the tradition and have a strategy which might not be so obvious. For example, if you most of the visitors are the serious management level people, you might like to feature a basketball loop on that trade booth to appeal to their playful mindset rather than a serious looking demo. Such a strategy can make you look different as well as have a great recall value. Your company also wins the image of being a fun company.

Don't compromise on literature: Many organizations begin cost cutting measures at trade show by giving a low quality hand outs. People who frequent trade shows are recognize such companies from a distance. It is advised that you develop cost effective communication material especially for trade shows so that you can save costs without looking cheap. The disadvantage of cheap handouts is that though you can get the satisfaction of giving it out, no one is really going to read it much less file it for later reference.

Fish Bowl still works: Sometimes we may not be able to attend to each and every person who passes the trade show booth. The old fashioned 'drop your visiting card in the fish bowl for a prize', is still a good communication strategy. The value of contacts via the fish bowl, however, can only be determined by a strong follow up right after the exhibition.

The above mentioned strategies are not unique to any particular kind of trade show and can be implemented easily with any event, for any industry. There are of course a number of other strategies which work wonders in a trade show ? and we will surely cover it in our next article.

Patty Stripes is an editor for The Trade Show Booth, check out her latest articles about using a trade show exhibit booth, used trade show display and advantages of a compelling trade show booth design



Ditch Coupons Before Customers Ditch You

Everyone wants to feel like they're getting a good deal.... Read More

Developing the Unique Selling Proposition

The "Unique Selling Proposition" advertising campaign was developed by Reeves... Read More

Ten Deadly Proposal Preparation Pitfalls

Let's face it, the name "proposal" is a great misnomer,... Read More

Marketing Ideas Without Action Will Get You Nowhere!

Marketing Ideas Without Action Get You NowhereYou want to grow... Read More

Gaining Business Intelligence

A white paper on how companies should analyse customer data... Read More

CRM: Strategic Engine or Just Another Tool?

CRM?strategic engine or just another technology tool? How would you... Read More

Marketing on a Budget

A successful marketing plan doesn't have to include an athletic... Read More

How To Go From Under Dog to Top Dog by Unleashing The Power Of a Postcard

The Tale of Two Dentists...Dr. Namel and Dr. Ivory are... Read More

Marketing the Government for Profit

Steps and tips on marketing your business to the government.Fact:... Read More

Do Not Consider Running the Same Yellow Page Ad until You Read This

Grant Businesses have a love-hate relationship with the Yellow Page... Read More

How Testimonials Can Put You in the Spotlight

If you need evidence that a testimonial or referral can... Read More

Hello, My Name Is . . . What Your Name Tag Says About You

When you attend networking functions, what kind of name tag... Read More

Slogans: Creating and Using Them In Life, Career and Business

Information is coming at us from all directions nowadays. This... Read More

Using a Contact List Profitably- Part Two

Besides a survey, your contact list can be used to... Read More

Brainstorming Techniques as New Product Development Strategies

When developing new products and strategies, coming up with unique... Read More

Produce More Sales from your Email Promotions Five Ways - Part 1

Do sales come from your ezine regularly? How many well-written... Read More

Marketing Planning - Preparation and Accountability

We all know the saying, "Failing to plan (prepare) is... Read More

Boost Your Business With Testimonials

When used correctly, testimonials can boost your response dramatically. They... Read More

Prepare Your Communications For Growth

As the American economy emerges from recession, many businesses are... Read More

Feature Your Benefits

Sales Copy? eventually every small business owner must consider what... Read More

Maximum Marketing - Minimum Budget

Two years ago I started my small Virtual Assistant business... Read More

Attract Your Dream Customer

Have you clearly defined your target audience? These are the... Read More

Direct Mail Response Devices and How to Craft Them

Successful direct mail packages contain three things: an attractive offer,... Read More

Give It Away Now - The More You Share, the More You Sell!

Give away your knowledge, and you'll make money. How does... Read More

The Anatomy of Hype

On a copywriting board I frequent, someone expressed bafflement that... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: