5 Must-Do’s for Successful Tradeshow Marketing

I sat down with a long-time colleague to be interviewed this week and to prepare I put a list together of the 5 must-do’s for successful tradeshow marketing. We didn’t go over the whole list because the conversation took its own path. But I thought – hey, it’s a good list! Here it is:

1. Have an exhibit that draws people in.
   1. We could go into this in detail, but your graphics and messaging should clearly tell people at a glance:
      1. Who you are
      1. What you do
      1. What problem you solve for them
2. Have a goal. Share that goal with your staff.
   1. Brand awareness
   1. Sales
   1. Generate leads
   1. Add distributors
   1. Reach new markets
   1. Launch new products or services
   1. Find new hires
   1. Meet current customers, partners and distributors
3. Have a well-trained staff
   1. Your staff should know how to greet people
   1. Your staff should know the products or services
   1. Know how to gather the proper information for a good lead…which leads to…
4. Know what a lead is…
   1. A lead is NOT a card in a fishbowl
   1. A lead is someone who qualifies
      1. They’re looking to buy what you’re selling
      1. They have a budget
      1. They know when they’re going to buy
      1. They have the power to make a decision
   1. Once a lead is qualified, the follow up is critical
5. Follow-up:
   1. Gather the right information
      1. Name and contact
      1. When is the follow up
      1. Where is the follow up
      1. Who is doing the follow up
      1. What is the follow up: sending a brochure, sample, in-person meeting?

We did get to a few of these, and they were good talking points throughout the conversation. One she produces the interview and gives me a link, I’ll make sure to include it in a blog post soon!

7 Questions You’ll Never Ask Your Exhibit House (Free Report)