trade show marketing

Your Guide for a Successful Trade Show

It’s the big day you are going to your first trade show! Check you out. The leads you will generate, the return on investment, and the fun you will have. Going to a trade show can be great for your business. Here is a guide to ensure you take the proper marketing steps to have a beneficial tradeshow. 

Wondering where to get one of those? Well because we love you and we have gone to our fair share of trade shows we have compiled a list of strategies every person should follow.  

Before Your Trade Show

The first thing you need to do is plan before your trade show starts. There are two important things we recommend doing before your trade show. Researching your event, and planning a marketing strategy.

Planning Your Event

It is important you do your research before attending any show. Here are some questions you should have answered before your event. 
  • What is our floor plan going to be like?
  • How big is our section? Where will it be located? We recommend being at an entrance or exit and not so close to your competition.
  • What will my booth look like?
  • Who is my ideal client?
  • What material will I need? (Flyers, business cards, brochures, giveaways…)
  • What is my marketing strategy? 

If you do not know what Trade shows are out there we recommend Checking out these 11 tradeshows that are going on this year). 

Trade Show Marketing Strategy

 Like every marketing campaign, you will need to come up with a strategy around your goals. This is ideal for helping you measure the success of your trade show. Once you have a vision of what your goals are, it also helps your team understand them as well.
 
Promoting your show through appropriate marketing channels is important. Here are some ideas to  let your clients, vendors, and employees know about your event:

Email Marketing

Create an email campaign for before and after your event.
Send out an invitation and reminders as the event approaches.

News Letter

Include it in your Monthly News Letter
Send out a newsletter to your subscribers to inform them about your event and what they should expect.

Social media

This is a great way to reach people outside of your mailing list
Create a post on information, your booth space, and an extra incentive for stopping by. Create a hashtag that people can use.

Run Ads

Create paid advertisements online, or in the show.
Advertise on the show you are attending. Or create ads online to promote your booth and your special offer.

Trade Show Marketing Strategy During The Show

Marketing should continue during your event. This includes your booth, marketing material, and social media. 

Trade Show Booth: 

It can be hard to decide what you want your booth to look like.  We recommend going with a company that can customize your booth to your liking. Your booth should display your brand, be open and inviting, and stand out from the crowd. It should be an extension of your shop.  

Below you will find some trade show booths to spark inspiration!

Trade show marketing strategy
20x20 Trade Show Booth
Tradeshow Displays
Trade Show Back drop
Trade show marketing strategy
10x10 Trade Show Booth

Promotional Items: 

You have a great booth! People are coming up to you; you are talking to them; what should you do now? They will be talking to so many people that you need to ensure you stand out and leave a lasting impression. There are many unique ways to promote your business. You can use brochures, press releases, and handouts that you can provide before and during the event. Handing out a branded souvenir is proven to be very efficient. They can leave a lasting impression and increases the chances of someone reaching out.

Trade show marketing strategy
Branded Bags
Trade show marketing strategy
Branded Drinkware
Trade show marketing strategy
Branded Giveaways

Post-Trade Show Marketing Campaign

Congrats! Your trade show is complete, but the marketing continues. Post-trade show marketing is as important as pre-show marketing. You should start to nurture your leads and convert them into sales. 

  • Load all your contacts into your CRM system.
  • Send a thank-you email to everyone that visited your booth or event while the event is still fresh in their minds.
  • Create a drip email to nurture your new leads.
  • SEO! Write a blog recapping all the highlights of your event.
  • Social media: Post all your phone content from the event. Shout out to people who attended and use related hashtags.

International Tradeshow Checklist