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Small Business Marketing The Booth and Beyond

Written by: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Article Overview: For many small businesses, trade shows are still a very effective way to market the business. Learn how to better maximize your resources when under taking such a marketing action.

Small Business Marketing The Booth and Beyond

With the advent of spring, trade shows begin to blossom. Research suggests that tradeshows are where today’s businesses invest much of their marketing budgets. According to EXPO Magazine, in 2006 revenue expenditures from booth sales will cpntinue to increase. As these shows and conferences continue to grow in space and numbers, the challenge for businesses becomes how to maximize these shows to secure the greatest return on investment both in dollars and time.

1. Define the Goal

Successful trade show marketing begins by first defining the desired end results to be achieved from attendance. This goal should be written using the S.M.A.R.T. criteria –Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistically Set High and Time Driven. Sometimes, several desired results are defined such as: identifying potential competitors; identifying potential customers; determining if this is a trade show where my company should exhibit next year; learn what the competition is saying about our product(s), etc. Through these written goals, then decisions can be made as to the number of people to send and what type of people should the company send e.g. engineers, sales, marketing, etc. Without identifying the initial goals, companies will receive costly unexpected and unanticipated outcomes.

2. Ready, Set, Stop!

Goals are set, but there is still more planning before you walk through the exhibit hall doors. Do you know what you wish to learn from each exhibitor? The goal is maybe to identify the competition, but how you operationalize that goal is different for company's engineer vs. the company's salesperson.

3. Communication – The Key

Given that tradeshows are the Mecca for communication both verbally and non-verbally, the key is to be able to deliver in less than 15 seconds what you or your company does. If your "tag line" is delivered in an engaging manner, your visitor will ask a second question allowing for a dialogue to begin.

Communication extends beyond your "tag line." Calendars need to be blocked out to return all those promised telephone calls and send out any promised information. Follow-up communication planning is critical to achieving your goals. Creating a post-event mailing piece such as a thank you note and having them available upon your return will enhance goal achievement.

4. The Engagement – The Spot Light Is On

The doors open and all eyes are on you and your booth especially if you secured a high traffic booth. You are the consummate professional with the proper tools (business cards, pen, highlighter, Palm, exhibit hall map), professional appearance and your warm, energetic and engaging smile. Now is the time for all that planning to pay.

During breaks, you may wish to use the time to walk the exhibit hall to make necessary, legible notes regarding booths, products, etc. Look to those exhibits that seem to draw attendees to them. In case you see old friends, acknowledge them, but don't linger as this keeps you from achieving your goals. At all times, keep your goal in mind so that you maximize your personal resources of time and energy. Before the event closes, check with registration to secure any available statistics such as a count of the number of attendees as well as information on next year’s event.

It's Over – What's Next?
The doors close, it's over and what's next? Look for the other article "Beyond the Booth" to learn how to leverage your recent trade show efforts.

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