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Attending a trade show is a great way to get your brand out there. Whether you’re launching a new product or looking for new clients, the right trade show can be an invaluable marketing opportunity.
As a startup, you can invest in trade show exhibit rental products and services. But getting the most out of your investment in attendance requires careful planning and preparation. This article will explore tips for creating a compelling exhibit or display counter at a trade show.
Create a Unique Branding Presence
The first thing you’ll want to do is make sure your booth stands out in the crowd. According to a report, 88% of consumers are looking for authentic brands. It means consumers appreciate brands that have their own unique identity and brand value. Therefore, businesses have to ensure that they have a unique branding presence at the exhibition to draw consumers.
The best way to do this is by creating a unique branding presence using your logo and visual theme. Your company’s logo should be easily identifiable and memorable, so invest in a high-quality design that will stand the test of time.
Once you’ve created a logo, use it everywhere, from business cards and marketing materials to your building’s façade. Use the same colors, fonts, and graphics on all of those items and in any marketing campaigns you run for the trade show. This consistency will help customers remember who you are long after they leave your booth.
Start Small, Keep it Simple, and Portable
When you’re starting, it’s okay to keep your first trade show display simple. You don’t have the resources to make a massive exhibit with complex mechanics that require hired hands and giant equipment. Choose something modular and portable so you can quickly assemble it at the venue.
You can always add more later on as your business grows. You might want to expand from a small tabletop display to something bigger or involve technology such as video screens or interactive elements in your setup. But for now, try ensuring that your product is well presented and clear for prospective buyers to see what they need without distracting them with other things.
Choose the Right Location
When choosing a location for your exhibit and display counter, it’s essential to consider the following:
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Visibility: The ideal spot will be visible to those who are going to be interested in what you have to offer. For example, if you’re selling industrial products, choose a location near manufacturing companies. If you sell software development services, choose a spot close to tech firms, and so on.
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Crowd flow: Make sure your product is visible yet not blocking foot traffic as people move through the exhibit hall floor. It should also be close enough so those who stop by can easily see it without walking around it (this means no more than two feet away).
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Accessibility by exhibitors/vendors booths nearby: Choose spots where exhibitors/vendors will likely visit as well so that they can interact with potential clients in person rather than just exchanging business cards or having them call back later on their schedule instead during busy trade show hours when everyone has already gone home for the night.
Utilize Video Marketing
Video marketing is a great way to get your message across. If the latest report is to be believed, 93% of consumers get to know about brands from their videos on social media. You can use it to explain your product or service, answer common questions about your offering and its benefits, or show how it works. If done well, these videos will give you a great return on investment (ROI) in terms of exposure and engagement with potential customers.
The best way to take advantage of this opportunity is by creating a series of short explainer videos specifically crafted for trade shows. These videos will help people understand what you do better than any other form of communication – text or pictures included. They provide an opportunity for more creative storytelling than just listing out the features and benefits on paper can provide too.
Use Online Advertising
Online advertising can be a valuable tool to promote your presence at trade shows. The most popular platform for this is Facebook, but Instagram and LinkedIn are also great options. You can use online ads to show people what you’re exhibiting at the event, where it is being held, and when it’s taking place. This is because around 2.14 billion people are online shoppers.
It would help if you also created a hashtag for your event so that attendees can share their experiences on social media and tag others who might be interested in attending with them. It will help increase awareness of the event and allow potential customers or partnerships to find you more easily on social media channels, which they may not have known before seeing an ad or post about the show.
Unveil Something New
People love to see new things and get excited about them, so use that to your advantage in a trade show. If you have a new product or service, this is the perfect opportunity to showcase it. For example, if you’re launching an app for dog owners, focus on how it helps them find nearby dog-friendly restaurants or people with similar interests through shared activity photos. Or perhaps another way would be showing off some of your best features like speedier search results or more personalized recommendations based on past purchases and browsing history.
Another way to unveil something new is by showcasing one aspect of your existing product that hasn’t been highlighted before. For instance, if your online shopping platform offers recommendations based on past purchases but doesn’t give users access to their purchase histories yet, then go ahead and do so at this event. You’ll get some buzz about it because everyone loves hearing about cool new stuff they can try out right away instead of waiting months until everyone else already figures out what’s hot nowadays.
Provide a Wi-Fi Connection
The last thing you want is to have people sitting in your booth, waiting for their Wi-Fi to load. Free Wi-Fi is a common expectation among attendees, and they won’t be impressed if it takes ages to log in or if the connection drops when they’re trying to send an email.
Ensure your network has fast and reliable internet so people can access information and stay connected with their colleagues. If possible, provide free wireless access for all attendees and exhibitors at the exhibition hall (if it doesn’t already have free Wi-Fi).
Conclusion
Trade shows are excellent ways to engage potential customers, which can be an invaluable opportunity for startups. You’ll have the chance to get your brand name out there and make yourself known in the industry. Trade shows also allow you to get feedback on your product or service to improve it before launching.
However, trade shows can be expensive. They may still be worth it if you want to engage with consumers and promote your business effectively.
If you want to grow your business, a trade show can be the perfect opportunity. With so many options, deciding which is suitable for your brand can be challenging. If you want the best results, we recommend attending a few different events before making your final decision. Some important factors should be considered, such as space availability, budgeting needs, etc. It takes time, but this will pay off in the end!
