For a startup company, the biggest hurdle to success can often be getting your name out there and finding a spot in front of potential clients. This is why trade shows provide such a great opportunity for companies looking to establish themselves within an industry.
With a trade show, you get access to a large number of clients to show off what you can do. Before you head out to a show, however, it’s important to know that you’re ready to do everything in your power to get the most out of the opportunity. These five areas of focus help you to make sure that you put your best foot forward when meeting with your future customers.
Preparing for the show
Many companies arriving at a trade show will have spent months preparing for the event, so if you don’t do the same then you are starting out from a position of disadvantage. The more diligently you research and prepare before the week of the show, the easier it will be to have a stellar performance once the show begins.
This means that you should not only spend time checking out potential shows to find the best fit for your company but also that you dedicate resources to seeing how other booths at prior years have been set up for maximum success. Once you know what kind of booth you want to set up, it’s time to do practice runs of your demonstration until it is second nature.
Promoting your appearance
It doesn’t matter how prepared you are to dazzle clients if none of them stop by your booth. The best way to ensure that you have a steady flow of traffic is to begin building interest in your booth before the event even begins. Run a social media campaign prior to the event, with posts starting several weeks before the show building to more frequent posts the week of the event and after it begins. The more eyes you have on posts about your booth the more likely you are to attract attention from those in attendance.
Packing for the Trip
There is nothing more dispiriting than preparing for your show, building buzz around your booth, then discovering that your display has been damaged in transit to the show. Make sure that you use trustworthy shipping options to protect your property. Utilizing custom shipping cases designed to fit your items helps ensure they receive maximum protection throughout the journey.
Providing for Visitors
A guest at a trade show is likely to see many different booths throughout their time at the show, which means that shortly after they leave your booth they may be standing in front of one of your competitors. When the event is over and it’s time for the clients to return to their normal work and start working with vendors they met, it helps to be on the front of their mind. Bringing a give-away item that visitors can take away from the booth with your company’s name on it helps them remember you when it counts.
Post-show Debriefing
No show will go off completely flawlessly, no matter how well prepared you are. Always perform a debrief after every trade show to discuss what worked well and what didn’t. This helps you to modify your plans for the next show so that every event you attend goes better than the one before it.
Trade shows are an excellent opportunity to grow your business, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know the best approach. By following these five simple steps you position your company to not just survive at your next trade show, but to thrive.