7 Tips to get a ROI at your Trade Shows and Marketing events

Setting up booths at trade shows and events are great ways of getting your company exposure, clients, and a name for yourself. You have a chance to be face to face with new clients looking for what you have. Some marketers would say its a waste of time or ineffective but if done right it can still bring in leads and sales.

Find the right event

Going to the wrong kind of event is one of the biggest mistakes many businesses make. Just because you ideal client is a businesswoman doesn't mean you should go to all events that have woman there. You should find an event specific to your industry and ideal clients.

If your ideal client is a businesswoman then go to/sponsor events that are for business development and the keynote speakers is a woman.

Displays

Your display is the first thing your potential clients will see when they walk by your booth. You need something that will catch their eye and bring them in. Having a large sign that says FREE or WIN, will peak people's interest and make them want to stop. Having a big display of cash or spinning wheel as a visual of what they can win is always a crowd pleaser.

Look Professional

Don’t look like a bunch of people who rolled out of bed and don’t care how they look. You represent your business so everything you do, say, or act will reflect your business. Sports jackets and slacks are great or a nice polo with your logo on it.

Talk to Everyone

You and your people at the events need to be social butterflies. Don’t be afraid to talk to people as they walk by. “Want to win some cash?” or “try your luck at the wheel spin!” as you talk to everyone and bring them into your booth you can start talking to them about your product or service. Schedule appointments for a later date or get their information to follow up with them later.

Giveaways

Make it fun! The biggest mistake people have it they set up their booth and make everything great but there is nothing people can interact with. You need a hook that will draw people in. Cash giveaways where they give you their name and email to enter, and they can put if they are interested in more information. Putting for cash and prize wheel spins are great eye-catching activities that will help bring people in.

Easy lead capture

Come away with something like a email, name, or phone number because most people at trade shows don’t have the time to hear everything you have to say. You don’t have time either because you want to talk to everyone you can there. The most effective way is having a texting opt-in platform.

Make it the requirement to enter your contest or game to have them text a keyword like “WIN” or “CASH” to your number. This way you won’t be needing a translator for bad handwriting and avoid them accidentally misspelling information.

Follow up with clients

After you’ve done a great job at the event or tradeshow don’t forget to follow up with those potential clients that came by and gave you their information! They are warm leads and need to be followed up with within 1-3 days at the latest. Booths are a great marketing tool if done correctly so go out and make it happen!