Trade shows present a great chance for networking, but at their core, these gatherings are meant for businesses to market their products or services. In fact, trade shows generated a full $12.6 billion in revenue during 2015 alone. This statistic proves that trade show marketing is valuable, but this is only the case if local business owners are using the right strategies – such as the following.
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Promote Ahead of Time Via Social Media
One tried-and-true method of getting attention at a trade show is by marketing the event ahead of time. Use social media to let clients know the event is coming up. It’s smart to provide great reasons – and even incentives – for why a person should show up and come to the booth. It’s even smart to start a hashtag prior to the event and then utilize it on the day of.
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Use Guerrilla Marketing Tactics
In a perfect world, every trade show attendee would be attracted to a booth based solely on the quality of the product or service being offered. Unfortunately, this isn’t a perfect world, but guerrilla marketing tactics can make up for this.
One great trade show guerrilla marketing tactic is holding a raffle or contest. Others might incentivize potential clients to tweet something about the booth. Still others simply provide a cell phone charging station to ensure people show up. Guerrilla marketing works if a business owner can figure out which tactic works best for them.
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Utilize Employee “Plants”
When trade show attendees see a crowd gathered around a booth, their inclination is that something special is going on. It’s simply human nature. This is why business owners should have a few employees come to the show dressed in normal clothes. These workers should gather around the booth and act interested. This will attract others who may actually show real interest.
Trade shows are a powerful marketing tool, and business owners should prepare for them months in advance. This preparation along with the right promotional tactics can go a long way in securing part of the aforementioned $12.6 billion in yearly revenue.