subject: Why You Should Market At Trade Shows [print this page] Both new and established businesses can benefit from effectively marketing at trade shows. Designed to connect entrepreneurs and possible clients easily and in a short amount of time, trade shows offer a convenient way to get the word out about a company.
Although beneficial for large or small companies, trade shows are particularly helpful for smaller organizations: booth space is usually affordable even for modest firms, and, according to the Trade Show Bureau, 44% of corporations represented at business-to-business shows are in fact small, with under 50 total employees. Below, consider three benefits you can expect from marketing at trade shows, no matter what your firm's size.
Reaching a Specific Audience:
Trade shows pull a large number of potential clients into one place, making them a prime opportunity for meeting many customers face-to-face and establishing valuable sales contacts. Successful booths are those that captivate attendees and strengthen your company's brand to a large number of those who visit your display, and creating a successful booth becomes much simpler when you work with a quality trade show booth design company.
Hiring a professional designer can ensure your exhibit is eye-catching and a proper representation of your brand. Then, using the well-prepared visual display you and your designer create, you can focus on establishing connections with and obtaining contact information from prospects. After these connections have been established, be sure to follow up with them shortly after the show.
Networking:
Trade shows offer an easy and effective way to connect not just with prospects but also with professionals from other businesses in your field. Make the most of shows by mixing and mingling with these other exhibitors. It is just as possible to make sales contacts through these professionals as through the show attendees. Take time to stop by other booths and exchange cards with people so you can connect with them later and continue the relationship.
Generating Actual Sales:
While networking is a valuable first step in making sales, of course actually closing deals is even better. The good news is that because of the connections and exposure trade shows offer, they provide a perfect opportunity not just for promoting new and existing products but also for making sales. One way you can capitalize on this setting is through offering a particular promotional item or perhaps a discount to new clients brought in through the show. Overall, trade shows create an excellent environment for promoting, exposing, and selling your company's products or services.
