Here are some smart tips that maximize trade show results for you or your customers without maxing out budgets:

• Start with a strategy. This is where that “fail to plan, plan to fail” saying comes in. Do your homework, starting with attending fewer shows that are more populated with your best influencers and buyers. Once your show list is in place, determine a step-by-step plan for marketing before, during and after the event.
• Pick me! Pick me! There are plenty of ways to boost booth traffic, but 4 key ideas include: 1) get a corner booth space or a bigger booth (you can likely afford this if you attend fewer shows); 2) consider a taller exhibit with vibrant colors, lighting or even floor-projected messaging; 3) dare to be different from others in your booth’s design and functionality; and 4) add carpeting or soft cushioned chairs to create a comfortable respite from the trade show aisles.
• Pre- and post-show promotion. Use an engaging mailer like our Peel ‘n View® envelope that has a peel off reminder with the show dates and your booth space, plus a window to tease with a special show offer you reveal inside. Create buzz by adding stickers on all outgoing mailings to promote show presence: “See you at XYZ Expo, #2345.” Use e-blasts and social media outlets to promote show presence. Send post-show mailings to all on your initial show prospecting lists in case some couldn’t make it to your booth.
• Train staff. Keep your booth staffed with enough well-trained, enthusiastic employees who get breaks to stay fresh and know how to ask engaging questions. They should move around and mingle; not sit and hide behind a table or be buried in their cell phones conducting other business. Also, use apps like BadgeScan to capture attendee contact info instantly. Or call 888-430-8936 for more about an upcoming enterprise version in development.
• Entertain and educate. Think of unique offerings that will keep attendees at your location: product announcements and samples, tasty treats like fresh-baked cookies, interactive games, live demos, educational sessions, etc.
• Watch this. Looped videos and live product demos are an engaging way to keep attendees inside your booth space. Here’s a video our staff used at a past Graph Expo that earned us an extensive partnership with a printer manufacturer where we included a free supply of our Digi-Clear® Envelopes with each new digital press purchased.

Since these ideas just scratch the surface, what else made a past trade show successful for you? Do tell below…Thanks!