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Networking Tips
Before the Show
- Mail flyers or post cards to your prospects a couple weeks ahead of time to let them know you will be at the show. You might offer a special giveaway for those who bring in your mailer. Promote show specials and new products in your pre-show mailings.
- Insert flyers, postcards, or use stickers to let your current customers know you will be at the show. Often it.s just as beneficial to have face time with current clients, as it is to meet new ones.
- Make sure the staff that will be in your booth is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and happy to be there. They should be dressed appropriately for the image you wish to convey. Corporate logo clothing, or similar outfits will let attendees know at a glance who is visiting and who is in charge in your booth. Schedule enough staff to allow for breaks, time to attend break out sessions, and to visit other exhibitors. Often contacts are made over breakfast, receptions, and at workshops.
- Bring plenty of business cards. Bring a holder/ container and display them where anyone walking by can take one.
- Get a business card from everyone you speak with and make notes on the back for follow up. You want to make sure you have something at your booth for collecting business cards. Putting all the cards in one location ensures you don.t miss anyone with whom you want to follow up.
- Bring an adequate supply of your basic product line information. Use a computer, brochures or catalogs to show additional lines or products. Materials should be professional looking, accurate, and look like they come from a successful company. Remember, too much material is often wasted printing. A basic representation of your product line is the best, with a promise to mail more specific information to those interested. Sometimes those .big bags of stuff. lay around untouched, until they are later rediscovered and thrown away. Giveaways should reflect your product line, or be useful to all who attend. They can be inexpensive, but should not be junk. You may wish to have more less expensive items for all to take, and fewer nicer items for those who take time to talk you, or who come as a result of your pre show mailings.
During the Show
- Arrive in time to properly set up your booth and be ready when the doors open. Be sure your booth is staffed at all times until the show closes. Arriving late and leaving early signals disrespect for the attendees who come to see you. Remember to take a break to visit your competition and other prospects. Plan to attend the workshop sessions offered.
- "Smile" remain friendly and approachable. That means no eating, reading, talking on the phone, or doing anything else that your visitors will have to interrupt to get your attention. Make sure all staff wears a badge, whether it is your own or the one that will be supplied at registration.
- Eliminate physical barriers to your booth to make it open and inviting. Place the table in the back, or along the side. Get out from behind the table; invite people into your booth to sit/stand/talk.
- Make your booth attractive and inviting. A floral arrangement, balloons, interesting statue, or other eye-catching items will make your booth more interesting. Arrange materials and giveaways in an attractive manner. Place business cards and materials right out in front. Place inexpensive giveaways out where people can take them.we call those visitors the .Trick or Treaters.. Keep the nicer giveaways with in your reach to give to those who take the time to talk with you or who responded to your invitation to attend.
- Keep your booth neat and clean, rearrange or straighten items. Dispose of things left in your booth, including cups, cans and stray papers.
- Raffles, contests, and activities will make your booth inviting to visit. One of the most memorable booth ideas I.ve ever seen was the Porta Potty Basket Ball game where visitors were invited to try to get the toilet paper roll into the .basket.. So, use your imagination!!!!
After the Show
- Follow up with those who visited within 2 weeks after the show. Don.t forget to send the materials; make the calls; or get the answers you promised at the show. Sometimes just a note to say, .Thanks for Visiting. or. Great to Meet You., with your business card enclosed will help them to remember you in the future. These can be made ahead of time and personalized and addressed, immediately after the show. Dropping the ball in the end can make all your hard work worthless. If you collect business cards you will have a great mailing list, and may want to send a mailer to them several weeks after the show.
- Complete the show evaluation form and leave it at the front desk, or mail it to us. That will help us plan for next year.
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