Whether you’re a trade show exhibiting newbie or a seasoned veteran, it’s important to make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. You’ve taken the time to decide on a show to exhibit in. You’ve planned your budget, display and presentation. You’ve prepared the materials you will need at the show. Now you need to be sure you will achieve your return on investment (ROI). Trade show exhibition is an expensive form of face-to-face marketing, so it’s important to be sure that you get the best ROI as possible. There are a few things to keep in mind that can help improve your trade show ROI. According to CEIR, over 64% of heads of marketing agree the B2B exhibition channel is highly effective for multiple marketing activities. The value of trade show marketing is acknowledged, so let’s review a few tips to improve trade show ROI.
1. Have a Marketing Plan
To begin with, you should have a marketing plan for all of your marketing efforts. When exhibiting at a trade show, it’s a good idea to create a marketing plan for the show itself. This includes what happens before, during and after the trade show. This should include:
Pre-Show Marketing
Let your target audience know you’ll be there.
Make your target audience aware that you will be at the particular show. Give them a compelling reason to visit your booth and meet with you. Social media announcements, email newsletters and maybe even a good old fashioned phone call are some ways that you can make it known to your audience that you will be exhibiting. New product/service introductions, giveaways and interactive displays and games provide a reason to stop by. Just remember to make sure that your giveaway or game, etc. falls in line with your company values, goals and message. On occasion, you have access to an attendee list. In this case, it could be a good idea to reach out to anyone who appears to be a qualified fit for your product/service. Try to schedule an appointment with them during or around the show.
Contact the Media.
Contact the show organizer for a media list of those that are confirmed to be at the show. Reach out to the press with information and news about your company, products and services.
Show Strategy
Recruit your best staff for the booth.
You’ve got the pre-show down – you’ve done your pre-show marketing and have your booth designed and in the build process. Now consider what you will do during the show. If you’re not equipped for what’s happening once on the trade show floor, then all the pre-show marketing and stunning trade show booth display will be worthless. Make sure your best staff members are working the booth and are prepared with branded apparel, advertising materials, giveaway items, demonstrations and are trained on the in-booth interaction plans and anything they will need for success. The staff is working the front lines and will ultimately determine the success of the show.
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