Over 60% of marketers use trade shows to capture leads. Another 80% generate sales through event marketing. In fact, the average ROI for events is as high as 34%. With an eye-catching trade show booth, you can attract more customers, generate fresh leads, and boost sales. Your ROI will rise as a result. These trade show booth ideas could help your booth stand out from all the rest! Without a plan, however, your booth might fade into the background. You might struggle to draw people to your business as a result.
Don’t let that happen! Instead, give yourself every advantage with these trade show booth ideas today. Here are six tips that can help you learn how to make a booth successful.
1. Gather Research
If you want to make a booth successful for a returning trade show, you’ll need a plan. It’s important to start planning well ahead of the event. That way, you can avoid potential pitfalls and delays down the road. First, make sure to talk to your team. Discuss travel dates to ensure everyone can book flights right away. Secure room blocks before the hotel near the event sells out, too. Once you’re done planning the event logistics, take the time to make plans for your trade show booth.
First, gather as much research as you can. Gathering research will help you make informed decisions moving forward. Consider your previous trade show booths. What tactics worked? Which trade show booth ideas fell flat? Try to learn from your successes and failures to avoid making the same mistakes. Consider what your competitors did to make a booth successful at previous events, too. Otherwise, take the time to research your customers. Who are you trying to attract to your trade show booth?
The better you understand your customers, the more likely you can appeal to their interests. For example, consider the pain points your customers are experiencing. Then, focus on providing them with a helpful, efficient solution. Take the time to research industry and marketing trends, too. Make note of what you like and don’t like about what you find.
Then, use the information you gather to make a booth successful for your own business!
2. Establish Your Goals and Budget
Once you gather the research you need, you can start setting your goals.
What do you want to accomplish during this trade show? For example, you might want to:
- Generate leads
- Boost brand awareness and recognition
- Develop a social media presence
- Connect with other brands
- Establish your credibility as a thought leader in the industry
Once you determine your goals, set a key performance indicator (KPIs) for each one. For example, you can track how many people sign up for an email list. Your KPIs can help you determine if you’re accomplishing your goals. Make a list of tactics you can use to accomplish each goal, too. For example, if you want to boost brand awareness, create branded marketing materials for your booth. As you start organizing your trade show booth, it’s important to consider your branding. Brand consistency can boost awareness and recognition. Otherwise, consumers might confuse your business with another.
Don’t let your brand get lost in a flamboyant display. Instead, focus on brand essentials, including:
- Who you are
- Your mission and vision
- Your unique value
- How you want to present yourself
- Your brand voice, tone, and personality
- Your business logo
- The brand’s color palette, font styles, and imagery styles
Make sure these brand elements are consistent across your booth, print materials, website, and social media accounts. People will have an easier time recognizing your business on and offline as a result. Then, establish your budget. How much are you willing to spend to make a booth successful?
Break your budget into smaller categories. Try to remain realistic and practical when establishing your budget, too. Keep in mind that for every dollar you spend on a trade show, you could generate a $5 return.
3. Start Marketing
Developing your marketing strategy before the returning trade show event can help you attract more people to your booth.
Look for ways to promote your business before the event, including:
- Using pay-per-click ads using Google Ads and Facebook Ads
- Designing a creative direct mail campaign
- Developing an email marketing campaign
- Creating search engine optimized blog content
- Appearing in trade show publications
- Distributing a press release before the event
The two most popular activities people engage with online are search and email. You can use email marketing to create a buzz before the trade show. Let everyone on your mailing list know the location of your booth. Consider hosting a contest beforehand as well. Otherwise, find industry-specific publications and develop an engaging, informative article that covers your business. Appearing in trade show publications can establish your credibility. It can also help you spark an interest in potential customers. You can work with an experienced team to develop your trade show publication marketing strategy.
Don’t neglect the importance of search engine optimization (SEO). SEO can help you attract more people to your website. You can create different forms of blog content to demonstrate your experience and expertise. Boosting your brand’s credibility could help you attract more people to your trade show booth. Use social media to your advantage, too. Try hosting a live Q&A session on Instagram in the weeks before the trade show. You can learn which questions your customers are asking. Then, you can create more website content or print materials based on those questions. Consumers will start to recognize you have the answers they’re looking for. Meanwhile, you can start generating brand awareness and recognition before the event!
4. Attract Traffic
Before the event, schedule pre-show booth meetings with your team. Work with your sales and marketing team to brainstorm ideas. Make sure to keep your goals in mind when brainstorming. Once the day of the returning trade show has arrived, you’ll need to find ways to attract qualified leads to your booth. First, make sure to select the right booth layout. Make sure your booth is open and attractive. For example, you can entice people using interactive, eye-catching displays.
Consider using contests and giveaways to attract foot traffic, too. Try to think about what your customers want before planning your giveaways. Otherwise, the prize might not entice people to visit your booth. Investing in fun giveaways can make a booth successful. Try to remain creative with your offerings. For example, you might consider using slot machines as a fun way to create an interactive experience.
You can always use foods and beverages to attract more foot traffic. For example, you can rent a frozen margarita machine or espresso machine for the event. Drinks are a great way to break the ice and spark conversations.
Don’t forget to consider staffing your booth, too. The ideal booth staffer is:
- Polite, outgoing, and personable
- Well educated about your product, service, or brand
- Matches the demographic and interests of your target audience
- Has technical knowledge about your product
Choosing the right people to man your booth can set your plans up for success.
Don’t forget your promotional items either! The swag you hand out can help you gather more customers to your booth. It can also increase your trade show presence. Other people will see your promotional items and might decide to venture toward your booth. Even if they don’t visit your booth, they’re seeing your brand. You still have the chance to boost brand awareness. Consider promotional items like power banks, wireless radios, and other unique products. You can stand out from everyone else who is just offering pens and lanyards.
5. Capture Leads
Make sure you have a plan for capturing leads during the returning trade show. You can talk with your team to discuss which tactic works best for you. For example, you might ask people to enter their email addresses from a tablet you provide. Maybe you want people to leave their cards in a fishbowl. Consider using a lead capture app to save yourself valuable time. For example, you can scan business cards and sync the images with your CRM.
6. Follow-Up
After using these tips to make a booth successful, make sure to follow up with the leads you capture. Consider using an email drip campaign to nurture your leads. You can remain top-of-mind before they forget about your business. Otherwise, try a more personal approach. Call or email the leads you gathered directly. Try to use personal details during your communications. People will feel remembered and appreciated, which could help you convert more leads into sales. Keep engaging your leads. Nurturing your leads can help you form lasting relationships with your customers. Then, you can generate repeat sales, improving your ROI!
Raising the Bar: 6 Tips to Make a Booth Successful at Returning Trade Shows
Learning how to make a booth successful doesn’t have to feel stressful. Instead, keep these six easy tips in mind. Following these six steps can help you plan a successful strategy. You can generate fresh leads, attract more customers, and boost your ROI! You don’t have to develop your trade show marketing strategy alone. Instead, consider working with a professional team.
We’re here to help! Contact us today to take your trade show marketing to the next level.
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