Trade shows are a traditional way of marketing your product, service, and business. They usually take place in big cities across the country, in various types of industries. Here industry experts, enthusiasts, and the media gather under one roof to discuss different topics, educate each other, and have fun. Though advancement in technology has taken the world to a whole different level, there is much value in attending a trade show for your industry.
Trade shows are generally targeted at the industry by a business that is open to a large, diverse audience. Depending on the type of business you are engaged in, product and market testing can be carried out at trade show exhibitions. It helps you gain an insight into the general opinions about your offering.
If you want to achieve success at a trade show, a well-implemented booth is a basic requirement. We all are aware that technology keeps changing at a rapid pace but there are still several benefits of having an exhibit presence at a trade show.
LET’S LEARN ABOUT THE KEY BENEFITS OF JOINING A TRADE SHOW
A trade show is a fun way of providing new business, increasing brand awareness, learning more about the industry you operate in and presenting networking opportunities. It exposes the strategies and best offerings by all the top brands in the industry.
Being involved in a trade show can provide you the opportunity of creating a potential customer database. It is filled with a myriad of educational sessions that help you learn and explore the industry you operate in. If you have some knowledge about trade show project management, it will come in handy.
Let’s dig a little deeper into the advantages that trade shows provide to businesses of all sizes.
LONG-LASTING IMPRESSION
If done right, a trade show can leave a long-lasting impression in the minds of the attendees along with a prospective customer. The main purpose of a trade show is to display various options for individuals as well as businesses to engage and interact with each other. With a well-designed trade show booth, you can easily draw the attendee’s attention.
Apart from this what attracts people is an engaging environment like giveaways, contest opportunities, promotional items, and sales collateral. Consider having attendees who enter a contest by submitting a business card or participating via social media.
These types of promotions serve dual purposes – one, increasing your brand’s engagement, and second, building your potential customer base through contacts.
FACE-TO-FACE MARKETING
When it comes to engaging a customer, nothing can beat face-to-face marketing. Trade shows are one such place that gives businesses and individuals the opportunity of building and engaging their potential customers. It doesn’t matter whether you are marketing your brand or selling a new product, an in-person presentation can help you close a deal quickly.
If you have an employee who is a natural charmer or anyone great at relationship selling, make them a part of your sales team. The cost of bringing them to your next trade show event will surely pay off within hours!
COST-EFFECTIVE NETWORKING
Designing trade show walls, paying for the space, traveling to and from the show, and paying for meals and lodging may seem like too much expense for a single marketing event. However, if you have done pre-show marketing, your chances of offering your business can far exceed the investment.
If you do proper research and planning, trade shows can be the most cost-effective sources of leads and sales. But initially, you might need to make a large investment to showcase your business.
LEAD GENERATION POTENTIAL
The potential of lead generation is one of the biggest advantages of conducting a trade show. Its attendees are your potential lead waiting to be captured. So, ask for their contact information, have them pay via accounts connected to social media, and get their business cards. All these are great ways of getting yourself fresh leads!
However, it is important to make them clear that you will contact them after the show. Also, make sure to follow up with the person who you think is likely to buy while the event is still fresh.
DIRECT SALES OPPORTUNITIES
As most trade shows have a specific market they focus on, you can exhibit at the ones that are within your industry. It will help get exposure to a greater and diversified audience that is likely to be interested in your product or services. Likewise, you may also set up your booth around your flagship products and highlight their benefits to potential customers.
What you need to keep in mind is – ALWAYS have something to sell! It doesn’t matter if it is your new product or an idea, the opportunity of generating sales here shouldn’t be lost. Also, try closing a deal ON THE SPOT!
FORGING BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
No matter how big or great your company is, it is important to forge alliances with other industries. It helps you enter vertical markets that you otherwise may not break into. At trade shows, you have the opportunity of meeting your potential partners face-to-face which allows you to make a good first impression.
Take a good look at the exhibition schedule so that you can mingle with the industry leaders in a relaxed setting and potentially exchange contact information. Remember to always take a professional approach to the trade show so that other companies take you and your brand seriously.
CONCLUSION
Hope these points have proven that though virtual events are convenient and cost-friendly, there are only a few marketing methods that have the potential of leaving a long-lasting impression.
By combining the ability to interact personally with exposure to a large number of potential leads, trade shows have something for both the business and the attendee. You won’t experience these benefits in any other forms of marketing.
