At DoTradeshow, we want to make sure you have all the tools necessary to have a successful outcome at your event. We have compiled a list of common mistakes that exhibitors make without even knowing it. These tools will help you achieve the maximum return on your investment and ensure that you have a successful show:
- Not Doing Your Research. Make sure it’s the right trade show for you before you sign up. It is best to know ahead of time who your target audience is. Is this a show that they will be attending and will your investment pay off?
- Not Knowing Why You Are Attending. After you have chosen to exhibit at the event, figure out what you want to get out of it. Are you trying to sell, are you trying to gather a certain number of leads, are you displaying new products? Setting a specific goal will allow you and your team to have something to focus on.
- Having An Untrained Staff. Every person in in your booth is a representation of your company. The first impression of your company will be based on your staff. Make sure they are trained on all products and services that you will be promoting. Your staff should also avoid texting, making phone calls, sitting in the display area and not interacting, and not wearing appropriate attire during the trade show.
- Not Taking Care Of Your Display. Displays are meant to last a couple of years and because they cost money, make sure that you take care of it. At the end of the show you may want to rush and pack up quickly, but make sure you put it away properly. Otherwise, damage can occur or it will look wrinkled or messy at your next event.
- Cluttered Design. Remember that you only have about 10 seconds to catch an attendee’s attention. You can grab their attention by having a display that is visually eye-catching. Attendees should be able to tell who you are and what you do right away. Be creative with your design, but make sure it fits in with the rest of your branding and marketing. Design mistakes to avoid: Information overload, cluttered graphics, and having graphics below the knee that attendees won’t see. See our blog Trade Show booth Design Ideas to learn more!
- Placing Your Giveaways Upfront. It’s customary at trade shows to have some sort of freebie to hand out. Keyword: hand out. Having your freebies placed on the table will allow anyone to grab one without any real benefit. Instead, focus on personally handing them out to qualified leads. Keep them at the back of your exhibit or even out of site.
- Not Walking The Show. Hopefully there is more than one person staffing your booth so you are able to walk around and check out other booths. You’re missing out if you are in your own bubble. Instead, explore and learn from what other people are doing.
- Not Following Up On Your Leads. This is the biggest mistake you can make. You spend time and money at a trade show collecting leads to increase sales. It makes no sense to not use the most valuable info you collected to your advantage. Send them a personal message immediately following the trade show.
If you avoid these rookie mistakes, you’ll surely excel at your next event!
Have some useful tips to share that we may have missed? Let us know! support@dotradeshow.net