Kent Jean

What’s the first thing you think of when I say “Trade show”? For some people, when you ask that question, they’ll say crowded, hard to navigate, or too much noise. Other people will say excitement, fascination, or opportunity. No matter how you answer, it’s all of those things; and more.

A Trade show is an affair that has grown enormously over the past few years. What started out as a few booths set up at the County Fair, has now branched into a specialized event. There are as many Trade shows nowadays as there are wares to sell, small businesses to run, or individual talents to display. That, my friends, makes for a lot of possible commerce!

Whether you enjoy going to them or not, sometimes a Trade show can help to bring a small or failing company back from the brink of financial ruin. Through careful planning, preparation, and a small investment, a good Trade show can prove to be the wisest business decision you’ve ever made. It’s definitely worth considering. Make sure that you have enough time to devote to one. Don’t spread yourself so thin that you can’t fulfill the main reason for being there.

The focus of being involved in a Trade show exhibit is to meet and bring in prospective clients for your business. Depending on the size of the show, this could mean possibly hundreds over a week-end, to thousands annually. The best way to understand just how big they have become is to do a simple internet search for Trade shows and have a look for yourself. One site lists sixty-two trade shows for the month of August alone. You can also find Trade show listings for specific countries, cities, Industries, or dates.

When you’re looking for a way to boost your company look to a Trade show. It’s hands-on advertising and can do more than even a television commercial or newspaper ad. While those are both great ways to get your business known, a Trade show works in reverse. The usual promotional techniques are made to draw the client to you. You have a limited opportunity to fully explain your company’s mission statement and describe the product. You have to trust that the advertisement will convince the public you’re worth checking out. With a Trade show however, you go to the client. There are lots of people who visit Trade shows; each one being a possible new customer. You will have the opportunity to meet with them personally to demonstrate your product and explain your services.

So Trade shows; Love ‘em or Leave ‘em? Before you make up your mind, check into it. The possibilities are limitless and they will let you prove just what your company has to offer. You can even visit certain Trade shows to see what all the hype is about. Once you think it might be worth it, do some research and sign up for one to see how it goes. It can actually be liberating to get out of the office for a bit and meet the public face to face.

Instead of Love ‘em or Leave ‘em, it may end up as Loved it and Left happy!

Source: SkyeDanzer Associatedcontent.com

Trade shows can be a very effective marketing means to promote your business.

It’s a good platform to introduce your company and products to people who could be your future clients or who could give you valuable referrals.  Whether you have a new product or service, trade shows can show your prospects a reason to do business with you. Here are some tips you can use to save money attending trade shows for your biz marketing:

Set your goals.

Not all trade shows will give you the marketing exposure that you need for your biz so it’s extremely important to set clear goals. Ask yourself the reason why you’re attending that particular trade show during that particular season and find out the advantages that would make it successful. Set the number of leads and closed sales you want to accomplish. Setting your specific goals will help you avoid unnecessary expenses in joining trade shows that will prove useless for your biz.

Communicate with trade associations.

The best way to learn more about the particular trade show you’re targeting is to get in touch with trade associations. Find out which trade shows have the most attendees and which are the most successful. Find out also which companies put up exhibits. You can save money by attending trade shows that will help showcase your company side-by-side with other exhibitors.

Plan ahead.

One way to save money when attending trade shows for your biz marketing is to plan for the event at least 5 weeks before. You will lose valuable time and money if you don’t have a clear cut goal and plan of action. Determine how many potential customers to market to and have the appropriate number of business cards ready. Have everything prepared for the trade show: flyers, postcards, pamphlets, brochures and giveaways.

Save money on your trade show booth.

Your trade show booth will tell a lot about your company and products and is an important part of your biz marketing. But an attractive booth will cost a lot of money. Instead of buying, rent a booth or buy a secondhand unit.

If you have a trading partner, you can even go piggyback if the company will sublet a portion of his trade show space. You can usually get this space at a much lower cost or even for free. As a reseller, you can take advantage of the personnel in charge of the manufacturer’s booth and save on manpower. The automatic exposure your company gets is also a plus.

Save money by not participating in a trade show exhibit.

A trade show does not require you to showcase your company in a booth on the floor. Instead of operating your booth, hold a press conference instead or host a brunch or dinner for your current and prospective clients. You get monopoly of the attendees and focus your marketing only to the right kind of audience.

You can also save money by becoming a speaker instead. You’ll only spend for hand-outs and flyers and still reach an audience that can turn into leads, referrals or customers. If you have the qualifications and are persuasive enough as a speaker, you can leave the trade show with enough customers who will more than make up for your travel, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses.

Source: Joseph Baylon associatedcontent.com