But, if you don’t get the most out of your trade show it may be nothing more than a waste of your time and money. A poor display Your trade show booth is your first impression. Don’t make these two classic mistakes if you want to have a great show. Wrong person in the booth Here’s another place where it doesn’t pay to skimp. Make sure you are giving something away that people really want. People would rather win a prize than just have something handed to them. After the show The show is done! Once the show is over, it’s time to follow up on those leads. Trade shows are a great opportunity to get your business name out there and find customers who can eventually become long-term clients. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll make your business stand out from the crowd and keep your table busy, and profitable, at every trade show.
Love them or hate them, trade shows are where you discover new clients. Each show takes a lot of time, effort and money, so you need to know that you are going to come away from it gaining new business. You are good at your business, but you might not be a trade show expert. But, if you don’t get the most out of your trade show it may be nothing more than a waste of your time and money. Here are six critical trade show mistakes that can cripple your success.
Before the show
Much of your trade show success (or failure) is determined by what you do to prepare for the big day. Avoid these pre-show pitfalls.
1. A poor display
Your trade show booth is your first impression. It should be fun, vibrant and effectively tell people what your business is all about. This isn’t the place to skimp on the budget. A display that isn’t vibrant, isn’t clear about who you are and what you do, and doesn’t invite people to come in for a closer look is a trade show killer. Of course, don’t make the rookie mistake of putting a table between you and your prospective clients, either. That’s just a barrier that will make it too easy for them to walk right on by you.
2. No social media
It’s 2017 and social media is your best friend. If you aren’t promoting your business on social media, linking it to the trade show’s own social media accounts and interacting with your potential clients, you’re in trouble. Why? Because your competition is. They’re building a following and letting their fans know just when and where to find them. Oh yeah, they’re also defining themselves as experts in the industry. If they are the experts, what does that make you?
3. No defined goal
If you go to a trade show thinking, “This is great. I’ll get my name out there!” you’re not wrong, but you’re also not going to have any way of measuring its success. What will make the show a true winner for you? Do you need to find 40 new leads or simply five really solid leads? Do you need to network…
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