Ten Tips for Trade Show Effectiveness

Trade shows can be a great marketing tool, if the business owner is well prepared. The following tips are meant to give you ideas on how to make your trade show experience more productive.

1. Be prepared. Practice setting up your display prior to the show and use every square inch effectively. 
2. Avoid clutter and confusion. Our eyes can only absorb so much at once. While it is always tempting to display everything and hope the visitors to your booth find what they want, it is your job to help them make your booth display a positive one. 
3. Track the visitors to your booth. Have a draw and ask for business cards as entry forms, or ask visitors to sign up for a free newsletter. 
4. Have a system for tracking the names of people that have asked for additional information, placed orders, or want to meet with you during a show break. 
5. Pass out brochures and business cards to potential buyers. Since advertising material can be expensive you will need to make a decision about who you will give information to. 
6. Keep you display area neat and tidy and clean. Take a few minutes every hour to step back and view your display and do any housekeeping that is required. 
7. Don't sit behind a table. If you must sit down between talking to buyers, have a stool that will keep you at eye level with the people visiting the show. 
8. Dress appropriately. Wear comfortable shoes, not runners. 
9. Make a good first impression, smile, welcome your visitors and make them feel welcome without hovering or hard selling. 
10. Enjoy your experience by being prepared and living in the moment of the show. Take advantage of everything that is offered, seminars and networking with other exhibitors.

And 10.5  Have someone to help you in your booth if the show is several hours or days. Be realistic about how much you can do.