The idea for getting a booth at a trade show is to represent and introduce your business or company to the masses. You want to stand out from the crowd. It requires an immense contribution, but if done correctly, you will acquire new customers and reacquaint yourself with present or past clients. The trade show booth shows off your brand allowing you to make a connection with people. The following article will discuss tips for setting up a successful trade show booth.
Tips for the Trade
These helpful tips will set you on the right path to a good trade show.
Tip #1 – It Starts with You
A lucrative trade show experience starts before you even get on the showroom floor. You will need to recognize who your target audience is going to be and decide on what goals you want to conquer at the trade show. What will make you a presence amongst other people vying for attention? The answer is to research and answer some pivotal questions. Are you promoting a new product? Building brand recognition? Are you establishing your brand as something specific? Your replies will dictate your decisions regarding planning and designing your booth for past and future advertising for the trade show.
Tip #2 – Implementation
At this stage, there are still many things for you to take advantage of before setting up your booth. You can obtain the registration list, send out cards and emails, and use social media for the people attending the trade show. This applies both ahead of the show and afterward. It will be valuable to cross-reference the trade show list with your customer index and send out customized invites to notify them that you will be in attendance.
Tip #3 – Your Staff
You don’t need numerous employees to work your booth. Even if you only have a few employees on hand, as long as they are friendly and energetic, they can provide a great customer experience for the people attending. You can have a huge and exceptionally designed trade show booth, but you need a staff of people that best represent your brand and business. No empty booth is allowed; It doesn’t leave a good impression. Always have someone occupying the booth to cater to the people’s needs.
Tip #4 – Don’t Clutter or Clash
You want both staff and attendees to engage with one another. This can be accomplished by allowing enough space and not cluttering your booth with unnecessary items. For example, you don’t want to block the front of the booth with tables and chairs. Try complimentary colors in your booth to that of the trade show aisles. The trade show floor carpets in the aisles typically consist of dark colors. Try using a dark color for your booth’s carpet to remove any possible barriers.
Tip #5 – Simplicity of Design
Sometimes the most uncomplicated design can be the most appealing. More writing and graphics can turn people off and intimidate them, especially if this is the first time they have heard of your business. You want people to be comfortable looking around your booth without being overloaded with information. The average trade show attendee will spend just a few seconds inspecting the back wall of your booth before determining if they want to enter. You want to stand out without being distracting. Once you attract people to come inside your booth, you will be able to pitch your product or business.
A way to captivate your audience to your booth is by displaying custom-printed feather flags with your company or brand printed on them. The feather flags can be set up by using an x-stand in conjunction with a sandbag to support the feather flag on any smooth, solid surface. If you are looking to purchase Custom Feather Flags with your company name emblazoned on them, check out Flagdom for more information at: https://flagdom.com/feather-flags.
Tip #6 – Creating a Social Atmosphere
You grabbed the attention of the trade show attendees. Now you want them to stay. A way to do this is to create a comfortable, social atmosphere by offering food, cocktails, and coffee. Eating and drinking is a very social thing to do and is guaranteed to relax and entice your booth’s guests. It’s a perfect climate to begin a conversation about your business, product, or brand. Of course, with Covid-19 being a reality, you must adhere to the basic precautions for your staff and trade show attendees.
Tip #7 – Cater Swag to Your Location
Who doesn’t love free stuff? Giving away items to advertise your business is a wonderful idea but try thinking about other things besides USBs or pens. Pay attention to the location you are positioned. If the trade show is in a humid and sunlit area, your swag can be valuable items like sunglasses, towels, or sunscreen. Likewise, if you are in a location that rains, think about giving away something like an umbrella.
Tip #8 – Creativity and Fun
Use your creativity and create an engaging experience for the attendees. You can have a specific area for an activity or game related to your business or brand. This will ensure people will have a memorable and pleasurable encounter. It can either be a physical or digital encounter. There is no limit. Harness your imagination and make a fun adventure that the trade show attendees aren’t likely to forget.
Tip #9 – Location
The location of your trade show booth is exceptionally vital to your success. You want a lot of foot traffic, so that the ideal location will give you that. Some businesses like to set up their booths beside their competitors to attract the same type of people. You could do that, or a superior option might be to set up with your allies or friends. That way, you can both refer attendees to the other’s booth.
Tip #10 – The Show is Never Over
During the trade show, constantly post and update your social media to alert people of your presence. Just because the trade show ends doesn’t mean it’s over for your business. This could be the start of some remarkable things on the horizon. Following up on the leads you received during the show is essential to growing your business, but you also want to keep in touch with your old clients who stopped by your booth.
The most significant thing to absorb is what you learned from your trade show experience. What worked? What failed? This information will prove helpful for the next year and so on. Keep evolving and adapting to make each annual trade show booth a fruitful and rewarding experience for your business and your existing and potential new customers.
