Hello,

I have a question about participating in Trade Shows, Small Business expos, and similar events to promote your business. Our community has several of these either via the Chamber, other small business organizations, etc.

My questions are;
1. How do you choose which is best for you to promote your business at?
2. What marketing material do you have printed up to make available to booth attendees to take home with them, besides your business card?
3. What other ways have you participated in events such as this with out necessarily attending a booth for 2 or 3 days.

Thank you for your assistance.

Kimberly

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Kimberly, CEO / Administrator Streamatic Solutions
Streamlining tasks and optimizing productivity

Kimberly,

1. Look at who they are targeting for their audience. For example a home show will attract real estate. constructions, etc. If it is a small business expo, that would attract a totally different crowd of business owners, start-ups and such. Decides what fits into your niche.

2. I usually have a board with different eye-catching information based on the theme of the show. I also have several sell sheets based on a few categories of service, again targeted to the audience.

3. You could partner with some complimenting industries to share a booth so that you do not have to be tied to your table the whole time. You could also attend and visit booths that you feel may be open to your services and talk to them (business card in hand).

I have a friend who give RE support. He goes to the home shows and visits all the vendors, introduces himself and finds a little about them. He asks for a card and notes if he feels a strong follow-up would be beneficial. He has gotten many solid leads and business from this method. Side note, he usually goes during the downtimes of the event so that as to not interrupt the vendors from securing other business.

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Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant

I just wanted to add that almost all of my clients participate in their respective industry shows and conferences as presenters or speakers.

Aside from business cards, brochures, and printouts of the latest company newsletter, I've also prepared topically related white papers for clients who are speaking and want to send more info home with attendees - the white paper always contains truly useful info along with a sheet or two about my client and his or her services.

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