With so many marketing techniques now available online to get your business out there, people may question why they should exhibit at a trade show.
Though online marketing can be very effective, sometimes good, old fashioned face to face interaction still works wonders.
As always with any strategy your business adopts, everything should be carefully thought through in order to be as effective as possible.
Here are just a few advantages to exhibiting at trade shows.
#1. Targeted Networking
When you attend some networking events, you may find that they are simply not relevant as a lot of the people there are not looking for what your business is selling.
This is all completely different at trade shows where you know people are interested in your particular sector.
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We know that businesses don’t respond well to telesales or direct mail. With so many people in attendance, this gives you the perfect opportunity to talk to a lot of people face to face and make that all important first impression.
People go along to trade shows expecting to be sold to. If you can collect some business cards to follow up this initial contact with an email, you’ll be on to a winning start and you may well generate some long term business.
#2. Brand Exposure
Your trade stand gives you a great opportunity to get your brand logo into people’s minds.
You will want to make sure your stand draws clients in, so ensure you enlist the help of the right exhibit company. As well as the stand itself, you could also have a range of branded items such as stationery for people to take away with them so your brand remains firmly in their minds.
Make sure that other key information is clearly on display, including your contact details, website address and social media accounts.
#3. Scout Out the Competition
Bring along other members of the team to man the stall for you while you go on a scouting mission.
A trade show gives you unprecedented access to companies you may be in competition with.
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Find out what they are doing and you will probably come away with a range of new strategies to make your business stand out above them. As well as rivals, you may be able to form some new friendships with other companies that will help to take your business to the next level.
#4. Learn What is Working
As you’re speaking to so many people in your industry, this gives you the perfect opportunity to work out what is working and what isn’t in your business.
Experiment with different sales techniques, highlighting different aspects of your company to see what gets the best response.
If you receive compliments on your logo and branding, you know that you are on a good path, but if no one mentions it, it may be time to question why.
As well as a sales task, your trade show experience can end up as a valuable market research opportunity.