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Local Trade Shows?

by BerkleyStreet
5 replies
Has anyone done local trade shows?

I have an opportunity to do a small local business trade show
and a booth at the annual fair. I think it would be a good idea
to get some local exposure.

My question is this: Do you think it would be better to simply
do and informational booth or to actually schedule little 15-20 min
sessions of "free consults"?

I'll at least do the business card fishbowl contest and probably
have a cheap giveaway for a sign-up. Hopefully i'll have my
local directory rockin' by then.

What would you guys do?
#local #shows #trade
  • Profile picture of the author carrot
    People like to take free stuff that costs you to produce, and then bin it latter without much attention. Especially startups that will be overloaded on information.

    I tend to use digital rather than flyers ( still hand out business cards though) and get peoples emails to receive a pdf brochure.

    This also encourages interaction with you, so they will actually remember you, and gives you a chance to offer the charm a brochure cant.

    Also, interact with the other stall holders as much as possible, ask about their services, and point your stall visitors to them BY NAME, and you will likely get the same back.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    All you want to do at tradeshows is get contact info.

    Follow up with a call a week after the show, remind them that you met, and run your sales process then.
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  • Profile picture of the author bhuff85
    If you have a local directory, why not use the trade show to help promote it to those who would find it useful?

    I have actually just built a local directory for restaurants and bars. Plan on promoting it for a full month first to get it noticed and get people actively using it first. Once I have the user base built up I will then start to holler at local establishments. I built out all listings beforehand and will be contacting businesses to upgrade to a premium listing. With a solid following in place, it will give me more ammo when I have stats that show people are actually USING it.

    In my eyes, trade shows are definitely a great way to help get a local directory out there. As kaniganj said, I would try to grab contact info from any business owners you come across as well. That way, it is essentially a win-win.
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  • Profile picture of the author JerrickYeoh
    Trade Show for me , I never to expect to have immediate sign up .
    I always hunt for two things. Which is get as much lead as possible with exchange name card and build brand awareness.
    Try to get a speech on stage which give you more opportunities to reach more peoples in one time and let the market knew what are you doing in this market.
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  • Profile picture of the author JMB Marketing Group
    Originally Posted by BerkleyStreet View Post

    Has anyone done local trade shows?

    I have an opportunity to do a small local business trade show
    and a booth at the annual fair. I think it would be a good idea
    to get some local exposure.

    My question is this: Do you think it would be better to simply
    do and informational booth or to actually schedule little 15-20 min
    sessions of "free consults"?

    I'll at least do the business card fishbowl contest and probably
    have a cheap giveaway for a sign-up. Hopefully i'll have my
    local directory rockin' by then.

    What would you guys do?
    I wouldn't suggest that you enter a trade show.

    Rather, I would show those trade show participants on how to help them! Especially with all those "leads" that they will acquire. Meaning, how to turn those "dead" trade show leads into gold!

    Just offering my 2 cents here (but probably saving you hundreds, if not thousands)!

    Onwards and Upwards,

    JMB
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