How to make the most of the exhibition that you’re
attending
It’s very easy for individuals and businesses to shrug off
trade exhibitions, but as an industry that still generates billions of pounds
for exhibitors, should they be so quick to dismiss?
In this article, I want to make sure that if you are
attending an exhibition, you have the right tools in place to get the most out
of it and earn a good return on your investment.
I’m going to focus on the three key reasons you attend an
exhibition as a company:
- Purpose – Be clear on why you’re attending
the exhibition in the first place
- Aim – Set out clear goals for what you
want to achieve
- Execution – How to make sure you effectively
capture data on visitors to your stand
Purpose – What is your purpose for
attending?
So, you’ve decided to pay for a shell scheme or space only
stand – why? Are you there to promote a new product, new website, new
service or to promote the company to new and existing customers? Or are you
simply there to make your mark on your industry? Whatever the reason, be clear
on it because it will be easier to measure your success later. For example, if
you are promoting your new website, you can log on to your analytics software
after the event and track the interest that has been generated and therefore
tracking how successful the event was for you in your promotion. Of course,
that’s quite a simple example but it can be extended to product and service.
As well as measuring the success of the event and being
clear on the reason for exhibiting, you’re also giving your team a goal and
purpose to reach on the day, which leads us on to…
Aim– Setting out clear goals
This may seem obvious but when you’re attending an
exhibition, make sure you have clear goals in mind. Are you there to sell a
product and service there and then or to just generate leads to follow up on
later? Set out clear goals for the exhibition, so that as a team, you can work
towards meeting them. For example, if you are there to generate leads, then put
a daily target of taking down 100 people’s details that day between the team,
or if it’s to sell products, make sure you put a daily revenue target in place.
This gives you better focus on exhibiting and makes sure that you are getting
the best out of your investment of time and money!
You can also break down your goals into more manageable
chunks by assigning individuals their own tasks to make it all add up to the
purpose of your attendance. If your goals are clear, it makes planning your
method of work much easier and your time more enjoyable.
Execution – Effectively data capturing
visitors to your stand
Nowadays, data capturing is simple and easy with the use of
technology with apps from the likes of LEADR Data Capture*. This app allows you
to take down the details of visitors that walk on to your stand and you engage
with while being data compliant and effective for your business. It has
customisable options to make it relevant to you. With instant email
communications and a dashboard to track your progress of capturing leads, you
can follow them up and easily measure the success of the event. With no
contract, it’s a great option for any exhibiting company.
You can of course still effectively capture data from a
visitor by using the badge scanners that some exhibitions provide and scanning
the badges of any visitors– and if needs be, you can always
use the humble pen and paper! No matter how you plan to do it, if you capture
the correct data, you can follow it up after the event and make new customers,
relationships and of course sales.
Remember that every visitor at the exhibition will be a warm
lead. Exhibitions are dedicated industry and sector events– it
won’t just be anyone visiting, so make the most of their time and yours.
*LEADR Data Capture is
a FREE App that securely, accurately and compliantly capture sales
leads/enquiries. You only pay for what you capture, no contract or monthly
charges.
www.mediabasedirect.com/datacapture,
01489 668181
Ellen Stokes, Be
Exhibitions
Be Exhibitions designs and supplies custom modular
exhibitions stands. With a hands-on service, we keep you up-to-date with the
progress of your stand and take the stress out of exhibiting. Be Exhibitions
allows you to focus on connecting with new and existing contacts, generating
new leads and most importantly, expanding the awareness of your brand.
Want to hear what Be Exhibitions can do for your company?
Visit the website,
drop us an email
or call us on 01425 837 005.
