Friday, November 03, 2006
Here's a treat for those who do Exhibits...
10 Critical Do's and Dont's While at an Exhibit.
1. Do:Be realistic. Tradeshows are long events. You're on
the floor for anywhere from ten to twelve hours at a go,
often several days in a row. This is a lot for any one person
to do on their own, and most Nichepreneuers are solo
operations. Ask for help. Recruit friends to work the show
with you. If nothing else, they can spell you while you grab
a quick bite to eat.
2. Don't:Forget! If you have friends help you at the tradeshow,
it behooves you to provide them with some training first. Make
sure that they understand what your services are, how you're
different from your peers, and what the marketing message is.
Also, have a plan in place to cover what they should do when
they run into a question they don't know the answer to.
3. Do:Ask qualifying questions. You want to know who you're talking
to, who they work for, and in what capacity. This will help you determine
if the attendee is a prospective customer or not.
4. Don't: Be afraid to encourage people to move along if they're not
interested in your services. Some of the people who attend trade
shows are 'tire-kickers' -- they like to discuss everything, but buy
nothing. You don't want to waste your time with them.
5. Do:Take notes. Take time before the show to create a lead-card system,
in which you'll record pertinent information to facilitate post-show follow-up.
6. Don't:Depend on your memory -- no matter how good you are, a few
words scrawled on the back of a business card won't be enough after the
show's over and you've met with literally hundreds of people.
7. Do:Be polite and nice to everyone. The junior executive today can
be a senior executive tomorrow.
8. Don't: Forget to read the Exhibitor's Service manual. This is the thick
packet of materials you received when you registered for the show. Inside,
you'll find everything you need to know about exhibiting at that particular
show -- and discover important deadlines for ordering services. Don't miss
those deadlines or you'll pay more for everything!
9. Do: Reach out to the media. Have a press kit available in the media room.
Be open to interviews -- reporters and freelancers often walk the floor looking
for stories. If you have something truly newsworthy to announce, schedule
a press conference at the show.
10. Don't: Forget to advertise your tradeshow participation. Make sure your
target audience knows they can see you at the show, where you'll be, and what
they can expect when they visit you.
Follow these things to make your next show outstanding.
10 Critical Do's and Dont's While at an Exhibit.
1. Do:Be realistic. Tradeshows are long events. You're on
the floor for anywhere from ten to twelve hours at a go,
often several days in a row. This is a lot for any one person
to do on their own, and most Nichepreneuers are solo
operations. Ask for help. Recruit friends to work the show
with you. If nothing else, they can spell you while you grab
a quick bite to eat.
2. Don't:Forget! If you have friends help you at the tradeshow,
it behooves you to provide them with some training first. Make
sure that they understand what your services are, how you're
different from your peers, and what the marketing message is.
Also, have a plan in place to cover what they should do when
they run into a question they don't know the answer to.
3. Do:Ask qualifying questions. You want to know who you're talking
to, who they work for, and in what capacity. This will help you determine
if the attendee is a prospective customer or not.
4. Don't: Be afraid to encourage people to move along if they're not
interested in your services. Some of the people who attend trade
shows are 'tire-kickers' -- they like to discuss everything, but buy
nothing. You don't want to waste your time with them.
5. Do:Take notes. Take time before the show to create a lead-card system,
in which you'll record pertinent information to facilitate post-show follow-up.
6. Don't:Depend on your memory -- no matter how good you are, a few
words scrawled on the back of a business card won't be enough after the
show's over and you've met with literally hundreds of people.
7. Do:Be polite and nice to everyone. The junior executive today can
be a senior executive tomorrow.
8. Don't: Forget to read the Exhibitor's Service manual. This is the thick
packet of materials you received when you registered for the show. Inside,
you'll find everything you need to know about exhibiting at that particular
show -- and discover important deadlines for ordering services. Don't miss
those deadlines or you'll pay more for everything!
9. Do: Reach out to the media. Have a press kit available in the media room.
Be open to interviews -- reporters and freelancers often walk the floor looking
for stories. If you have something truly newsworthy to announce, schedule
a press conference at the show.
10. Don't: Forget to advertise your tradeshow participation. Make sure your
target audience knows they can see you at the show, where you'll be, and what
they can expect when they visit you.
Follow these things to make your next show outstanding.
# posted by Twanzell Williams @ 12:53 PM 
