Your trade show booth needs to attract visitors. If it fails to do so, your success at the event will likely be dismal. What’s worse, your plans to follow up with qualified leads become practically useless. Whenever I attend an event, I always walk around the floor to see what other exhibitors are doing to attract people to their booths. Most of the time, the booths are either empty or the staff are desperately trying to coax visitors. Today, I’ll share with you 3 ways to get people to your booth at your next show.
Plant The Seed
Getting people to visit your trade show booth starts months before the event. You should begin planting the seed in your customers’ minds about the show early so they can make plans to attend. Whenever you call, mail, or email them, let them know where your exhibit will be located. If possible, set up appointments during the show.
Here’s an idea that I’ve been using effectively for years: scratch off cards. Send them to your customers in the mail a few weeks before the trade show. Display numbers under the surface and let them know they can pick up their prize at your booth.
Use Quality Promotional Items
High-quality promotional items can create an instant buzz on the show floor. If your trade show budget allows, try to have a promotional item that you can give to every person who visits your booth. Imprinted pens, hats, or t-shirts will continue to promote your company at the show and afterward. Save the highest-quality giveaways for customers and qualified leads. One word of caution: use quality promotional products. They look better and last longer, creating a more favorable image for your company.
Create A Spectacle
Trade shows can be boring for a lot of attendees. Booths look similar, so they don’t spark the imagination. That means if you provide a spectacle that entertains those who are walking by your booth, you can attract large crowds. I’ve had great success with cash cube money machines. Here’s how they work: an attendee steps inside the cube and grabs as many dollar bills as possible within 30 seconds. They keep what they catch.
More Visitors Through Creativity
Attracting people to your trade show booth isn’t hard or complicated. You simply need to plan ahead and think creatively. Plant the seed in your customers’ ears about the show. Then, organize fun contests that require them to visit your booth to claim their prizes. At the show, give visitors quality giveaways that promote your company’s name (but, keep the best promotional items for your customers and leads). Finally, create a spectacle that will grab people’s attention.
That’s how I’ve been drawing visitors to my booths for years. It can work for you, too.
About the author:
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.
