Trade shows can be a great opportunity to make connections and build your customer base. For most business owners who attend a trade show it’s either boom or bust. Before you book your next booth you should understand how to make the trade show work for you and how to prepare for it. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your next trade show.
- Plan Ahead
You need to plan everything right down to the last detail, from the booth space, what promotional materials you will need, the transportation back and forth to the show along with the staff who will be there at the trade show. Budget accordingly you don’t want to run over budget and ruin the chance to have a successful trade show.
- Go in There With Clear Goals
This is like any other facet of your business, you need a budget, objectives and clear goals about what you want to accomplish at the show. You need to be able to interact with as many potential customers as possible. Once you are on the trade show floor it is too late to start thinking about your goals.
- Make the Best Use of the Space
If your space is too small then you run the risk of losing sales, on the other hand if the space is too big then you have wasted your money. If this is your first time at a trade show then you need to sit down and analyze how you can effectively present and sell your product to as many customers as possible in the smallest space possible. Big trade shows like the Calgary Home and Garden Show, space is at a premium so you need to figure out what is going to work for you.
- Immediate Follow Up
You will make tons of contacts at the show, and most of them will ask you for more information you need to make sure that you’re following up or you’re leaving money on the table. You need to follow up within 3 business days of the trade show. Not following up not only costs you money it demonstrates a complete lack of professionalism. If you don’t follow up there will be no shortage of competitors who will take your place.
Trade shows are fantastic places to increase business and meet new contacts. Make sure that you take the time to browse around the venue to see the other exhibitors, always take the chance to check out the competition and possibly meet other potential clients.