subject: Using Portable Displays To Promote Your Band [print this page] When you're a small band, communicating with and expanding your fan base is crucial. You need a way to present merchandise like CDs and t-shirts, but you don't want to spend the money on any permanent establishments. For many bands in that situation, the solution is trade show displays. They're portable, customizable, and can be made to fit almost any budget.
The Best Large Trade Show Displays For Artists
Most exhibits are designed with promotion in mind, which makes it easy for artists to simply tweak current exhibit designs to create something that fits their needs. Generally, the best idea is to seek out an exhibit which has been made to display merchandise, rather than one which is intended more as an informational exhibit. Those designed for merchandise are built with a particularly sturdy structure that can hold the weight of products. They will already have shelves inside for easy arrangement.
Alternatively, artists with a shoestring budget might choose a storefront-style booth. These are smaller than a full-sized merchant unit, but still offer a self-contained way to sell your goods. This unit typically features a counter to separate sellers from buyers, and may have a sign overhead to let patrons know that merchandise is available. It should be very mobile and easy to take down, so it can be used at any event where you perform.
Using Table Top Displays
For small bands, table top exhibits can be an excellent alternative to anything larger and more expensive. These exhibits can be set up on top of any table and will provide an instant branding presence that gets your band's name out there. One additional advantage of these highly portable displays is that they continue to be useful even if their main function is eventually replaced by a larger exhibit. They can be moved more easily, allowing you to take them to smaller functions or even outdoor performances where a larger booth wouldn't be appropriate. When placed upon a table, they can be an effective way to draw in even large crowds.
Maximizing Exhibit Utility
Bands face a unique problem, as their identity may change a few times in the beginning. Musicians tend to mature and switch styles much more frequently when compared with companies, which simply launch new products. Because of this difference, most artists choose their trade show displays with easy re-customization in mind. For some artists, this is as simple as ensuring that portable displays are made with a Velcro-like backing, so graphics and text can be switched out later as needed.
Beyond easy adaptation to change, the biggest question most musicians face is what size of portable exhibit to choose. Unlike most corporate clients, band members rarely face the constraints of a very small car because of all the gear that travels to gigs. Slipping trade show displays in with the rest is rarely difficult, even if they are slightly larger booths.
No matter what else factors into your decisions about exhibits, never lose sight of the image your band wants to convey. Your visitors should know at a glance who you are and have an idea of what kind of music you play. They should be able to buy your merchandise and your CDs. By using table top displays as a hub, you help cement the identity of your band in people's minds, increasing your popularity and your profit.
