Are you getting results from your trade shows and customer events? Have you found the perfect marketing mix that turns your prospects into sales?

Check out these 5 must-have tips to make sure you are getting the most from trade shows, exhibits and customer events.

1. Do you have a clear layout with strong messaging?
Size and money spent doesn’t necessarily matter. You need to evaluate if your prospects can clearly and quickly take in your display, and most importantly, leave with the message you want them to receive.

2. Is your event staff thoroughly trained?
Staff are a key element to any event’s success. Does your staff know your product and service? Can they answer questions? What’s their body language telling prospects? Are they smiling?

Each team member should be able to work out what part of the buying cycle a prospect is in when meeting them, filter the information and tailor the sales pitch. They don’t need to be experts, but they do need to have good people skills.

3. Are your printed materials sending the right message?
Well-designed brochures with clear benefits for the customer work well. Other good take-aways for potential customers could include competitor comparison charts, case studies and fact sheets.

4. Do you have the secret ingredient? (hint: free give-away!)
If you have ever been to a trade show, you know the importance of having a branded promotional item for prospects to stuff in a bag that, of course, will also be branded. Take time to carefully plan and select your promotional item.

With so many giveaways, only the well-chosen promotional items will make a statement. Those items will also be the ones potential customers keep, re-use and maybe even pass along to another potential customer. Make sure yours is the best! Here are a few popular giveaway items:
- The Color Pop Hand Sanitizer
- Blizzard Ice Scraper
- Grip Slim and Bright Magnetic LED Flashlight

5. Are you following up?
What’s the point of all of this if you’re not going to follow up? Have your sales team call or email prospects immediately. It doesn’t take much to write a few emails (thanks for attending, sign up for our blog, etc.). You could even invest in a marketing automation system to send and track your follow-up.

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