Tips for Your First Exhibition

Depending on the market you are in, markets are constantly expanding and with more and more *players* filling the fields, you need to consider what you can do to stand out in a crowd. Whether you are a start-up, a small-scale business or a large company – there is going to be someone competing against you, to grab your share of the market.

From clothing to food, beverages to gadgets and technology, if you have come up with an idea, chances are someone else has too. Unfortunately, if you are just starting out and have a very limited budget, it can be hard to get a foothold anywhere without a big budget – advertising/marketing campaign behind you. Depending on your field it can worthwhile to attend all the trade shows you can.

 

 

The great thing about trade shows, apart from being able to use banner stands and other forms of advertising, is, you can totally personalise your campaign. If you talk to other exhibitors, you will find that many of them have used a trade show as a stepping stone to bigger and better things – exposure is the key. You can stand on a street corner for the day or you can have a booth set up at a tradeshow…… you will have a LOT more success at a trade show using a banner stand than you ever would setting up a makeshift stall on the street.

Read Also: Portable Banners are Great for Business

How can you make a trade show successful for you?

Firstly, you need to set some clear goals – as you know without goals you are doomed to failure. Your goals are to attend a trade show and should be realistic. Your goals are to promote your product or service successfully, with clear steps on how to approach people and how to sell yourself in a clear concise way – you don’t want to bore people before you get to the point.

Next do your research, perhaps attend one or two trade shows as a *customer* first, get a feel for what others are doing and saying and what they are using to promote themselves, how are they promoting themselves? While it may be hard at first for you to come up with a truly unique idea DO NOT COPY ideas from fellow businesses. Take what you have seen, think it over, think of ways of changing or making the idea better and come up with your own strategy later.

And finally set your budget. How much are you willing to pay for your spot? Cheaper spots may be found outside – but are they going to give you the exposure you want? Can you afford a place that is *centre stage*? Make sure it is the right trade show for you to be attending, and where possible advertise in advance that you will be there. Have plenty of samples/products and invite people to try – a real *hands on* experience is guaranteed to generate interest.

Competition is hard but you must get your name and product out there – show people what sets you apart from the rest.