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Trade shows & conferences

Written by David Johnson, Self-Employment Assistance Consultant

Trade shows, conferences and face-to-face events are gradually returning.

These events are a great way to advertise your business and also connect with other business owners.

 

Prior to your attendance at a trade show or conference:

  • Promote that you will be there on your social media channels.
  • Look into some marketing materials like pamphlets or free items that could be branded, or include in a giveaway bag/prize.
  • Make sure you have updated your personal and company LinkedIn pages. 
  • Ensure your LinkedIn profile picture settings are set to 'public' and get familiar with how you access your QR code on LinkedIn.
  • If you are the only person at the stand, take your lunch and refreshments with you. If you need to leave the stand free, arrange with someone to 'mind the stand' for you.
  • If you have a vison or mission statement, even your slogan - it's a good idea to have this visible at the stand.

 

Consider having some (or depending on budget) all of the following:

  • A tablecloth equipped with your logo/brand name displayed on the section that hangs below the table.
  • Business cards, preferably displayed in 45 degree angled small display stands.
  • Latest brochures/flyers - consider adding QR codes to your brochures or business cards.
  • Small table easel(s) with a display card advertising your business.
  • A pull-up banner that has a QR code on it that people can scan and get your details or details to your LinkedIn company page.
  • You could have container where people who visited your table could drop their business card in to win a prize.  Perhaps something related to your business. Display what time the prize will be drawn. (Refer to the ACCC - Australian Competition & Consumer Commission www.accc.gov.au/) 
  • Have a 'give-away' bag with some useful, branded items like pens, business cards, plastic drink bottles. 
  • Have a laptop running with a slideshow of things related to your business.

 

While you are at the event:

  • Tag yourself and others on your social media posts at the event.
  • Take photos of/ record a video of your stand, which you can use for present or future social media content.
  • Do a 'live' video from your stand.
  • If there is an official roaming around with a microphone, this is a great chance to be interviewed about your business.
  • Have a ruled notepad there where you can record people's names who want to be sent information about your product or service.
  • If you can, connect with other business owners at other stands, particularly those that have the same type of customers that you have but are not competitors.

 

After the event:

  • Arrange to deliver the 'giveaway prize' if the winner was not at the Trade Show/Conference when the winner was drawn.
  • Follow up those people who you connected with via email, LinkedIn or other social media.
  • Construct some posts around your attendance at the trade show/conference and tag other people that you met. Tagging other people increases the range of the audience that will see your posts