Trade shows are an extremely beneficial way of gaining new customers and increasing your sales. However, if you are going to the wrong events, you aren’t going to meet the target audience you need to reach to be successful. There are several questions to ask yourself before registering for your next convention.

What’s Your Goal?
Do you know what you want to accomplish? If the answer is no, then this needs to be figured out before registering for conventions. Some questions you need to ask yourself are: Do you want to reach decision-makers of businesses or would you like to talk to consumers directly? Knowing the answer to this question can make a huge difference in what trade show you participate in.

Where Will Your Customers Be?
Talk to your current customers and find out what events they will be at. Chances are the rest of your target audience will be at the same trade show. Once you have narrowed down where a majority of your customers will be, send out invitations or give them a call to inform them of when and where your trade show display will be.

Have You Done Your Research?
Contact trade show organizers to obtain a list of last year’s attendees and exhibitors. This will give you an idea of who to expect at the event and if it is worth your while to participate. Also, know where your competitors are going because, not only will you meet more potential buyers, but it will give you the chance to find out what new products they are offering and what they are doing to drive traffic to their trade show displays.

Go as an Attendee
Don’t be afraid to go as an attendee first before taking the plunge and becoming an exhibitor. Walk the show floor and browse the other trade show exhibits to get ideas for your booth display and if your target audience will be there.

These tips, along with a professional, eye-catching exhibit booth is sure to make you a success at your next event. Once you have decided what trade shows you would benefit from, you will see just how profitable and beneficial they are to your business.

Jonathan Edelman provides helpful advice about trade show strategies. With years of experience in the trenches, he is an expert on booth displays, follow up techniques, and using trade show marketing strategies to boost revenue.