SMART Ways To Stand Out At A Trade Show

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Trade shows are an excellent way for your business to attract potential customers, gain exposure, and expand your brand. With hundreds of other vendors, it is important to stand out. Here are just a few tricks to get you noticed at your next trade fair.


Make Your Booth Stand Out

You have only a brief moment to make a first impression. For large trade fairs, there are hundreds of competing booths. Think about your branding colors, the designs, and textures you’ve used. Banners and well thought out displays will draw in the interest that you want.

If you need help designing, creating and installing custom booths to exhibit, then consider hiring a professional, similar to Team One’s exhibit capabilities and services. Learn the layout and the space that you have. If you have room to build a false wall, then you have even more surface area that you can use for promotion. Think outside the box in terms of lighting and artwork. 

Your portfolio of works and products is going to be laid out on that table, and your stand needs to really make them pop. Aside from having products available on the stand, consider getting some high-quality images taken. You can get these printed into booklets, pamphlets, and other marketing materials. 

Or, you can simply place them in a photo album. Whatever option you choose, make sure it works with your stand and the aesthetics. 


Give Out Freebies

Talking to people as they pass by could help to attract them to your stall. Entice people over by mentioning freebies or discounts that you may be offering. If you want to bring as many people to your stand as possible, then a booklet and a few products on display aren’t likely to be enough to get the interest you want.

Instead, where possible, arrange multiple demonstrations and giveaways. You could even hand out free promotional branded products such as pens, bracelets or other useful items. Give out items that are useful that potential customers may use regularly.

When people are able to touch, see and use an item, then they can imagine where it will be useful for them. And, giveaways will encourage people to be interactive and engage with your stand and you. Make sure your marketing materials have your business name and logo on them. 

You know what happens at trade shows? People walk around all day, and the prices of food and water at many of the food establishments can be overpriced. And while you aren’t (or maybe you are) in the catering business, you can have boiled sweets and small water bottles available.

You can even have a water dispenser, rather than single-use plastic so people can refill their own bottles as they walk around. While they are there, you can have a casual chat. If you want to capitalize on the foot traffic in an even bigger way, then have bags printed with your logo on.

These are going to be walking marketing items, and people will visit your stand out of curiosity, even if they aren’t sure what you do. You don’t have to fill the bag with loads of goodies, but you can add things like a pen, some mints, a business card, a magnet… and other things that fit with your business and the message that you are trying to get across.


Scope out your competitors

Research and find out which other companies will be attending. Chances are a little online research you will able to get a good idea of past booths they have had at previous tradeshows.

This may be a great opportunity to find ways of setting yourself apart. This could involve promoting a specific product that your competitor doesn’t offer or using certain marketing techniques to gain a leg up.


Give a Demonstration

You could also consider giving a demo of your product. A demo can gain people’s trust by showing your product in action. You may even be able to let others test out the product for themselves. If not practical, you may be able to produce a video demo that can be broadcasted on a screen.


Use Displays and Banners

Displays and banners will help you to visually stand out. You can order custom-made retractable banners online with your customized brand. You could also get creative and use other forms of decorative display such as balloons or even digital signage.


Host a Raffle or Free Drawing

Many people love a drawing or a game of some sort to win a prize. Give potential customers the opportunity to win one of your products. When people enter your competition, urge them to join your mailing list. Use this to send follow-up emails and stay in touch with them.


Get on social media

Some people at the event may be using social media. Let these people know that you’re at the event by broadcasting your location. You can also send updates on social media throughout the day and give updates on raffles, drawings, or certain times that you are giving a demonstration.

Pick up on all of the social media put out by the venue and the hosting company – plus all of the other traders too. Reply, like, and share their posts in the lead-up and on the day too. Add links to your products, your stand number, and location. Be sure that you mention any discounts or giveaways that you are running during the event too.


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