Going to have a booth at a trade show? Why not create a buzz at the trade show with personalized promotional products? Creativity doesn’t have to be expensive. There are so many affordable and cool trade show giveaways that will make you stand out amongst your competitors without breaking your bank!
In this article, we will tell you all you need to know about how to make your trade show a success.
Let’s get started!
What Should I Know Before Attending My First Trade Show?
Attending a trade show is a walk in the garden, but participating in an exhibition is certainly not. Here are a few things you have to keep in mind when you have a booth in the trade show.
Plan Early
When you have a trade show booth, you are going to be on your toes all the time, either talking to the prospective buyers or manning your booth. To keep the stress levels in check, you should plan the details of the event as early as possible.
From fixing your budget to creating a draft of your presentation, make a to-do list so you are ahead. If you register for a trade booth space in advance, you will be able to get the early-bird pricing as well!
Research Extensively
In today’s competitive market, one thing that can make your business stand out is identifying and connecting with the target audience. Get your hands on the attendee list and figure out everything you can about them.
If possible, reach out to them on social media or via email and inform them that your company will be looking forward to their presence at the trade show.
It will make it easier for you to leave an impact on their minds. You will also be able to connect with them in a better way once they visit your booth.
Prepare Your Staff
Even if your company is offering life-changing products, it will not matter until properly trained people are promoting them.
Even if you are offering the most life-changing product or service, it won’t matter unless you have the right people promoting it. The people manning the booth will be the face of the company at the trade show,
Not only should they know everything about your services, but they should also have an amicable and professional attitude. Train the staff effectively as it will help with lead generation.
What Should I Prepare for an Exhibition Booth
Set Up Your Booth
Setting up your booth in a creative, alluring manner should be the first thing you do. Use bold, head-turning branding to dress up your table. Moreover, set up a ‘can’t-miss’ backdrop and take your display to the next level!
Draw in foot traffic using retractable banners and display vinyl banners that display your company’s most recent accolades, etc.
Make Connections
Get brochures that share your business story and present your products in an enticing way. You can use postcards as trade show promotional giveaways and coupons or send them as a follow-up to the new contacts you make at the trade show.
Business cards are an absolute must as they create a strong first impression about you in the minds of the event attendees.
Moreover, you should organize the advertising materials into presentation folders so that you can easily access them when the need arises.
What are the BEST Trade Show Promotional Products?
Walk around a trade show and by the end of it, you will have a bag full of exciting trade show giveaway items. Who doesn’t enjoy receiving a gift, and that too a free one?
Promotional trade show giveaways are a way to build goodwill, communicate an advertising message, and generate brand awareness.
Your job as an exhibitor at a trade show is to bring in trade show attendees and turn them into prospective clients. With trade show items, your job becomes 10x easier because people love free stuff and these items will leave a good impression on them.
Let’s see what are the few things you can give out so that the trade show attendees would remember your name.
Tins of Fresh Mints
We can’t have a fresh breath all throughout the day and a box of fresh mints really helps when you are heading into an important meeting and realize your breath isn’t minty, to say the least. At trade shows, people are going to meet many others and a tin of fresh mints is a practical gift.
Breath mints are convenient for visitors and they will probably share them will others – furthering your brand awareness.
Stress Balls
We live in a fast-paced, chaotic world where stress and anxiety are the norm. Trade shows can be stressful as well, with so many booths and so many people marketing their products.
Why not give visitors something to calm their nerves with your logo on it?
This item will be treasured – both in the trade show and out in the real world!
Mobile Phone Chargers
While attending a trade show, you are not in your office but you are still connected to your office via texts, calls, and emails. This constant communication will take a toll on your phone’s battery life.
Why not give out USB phone chargers to the people searching for the nearest power outlet? This is something that the trade show people – your potential customers and key prospects – need and will appreciate.
Tote Bags
Where will people put all the goodies that they snag up on the trade show floor? In a tote bag! What is not to like about a tote bag?
Especially at a trade show, visitors will need a place to throw all their stuff and your branded bag could be the perfect place!
Custom PPE Kit
While many people will be giving out keychains, pens, calendars, etc. at the trade show, you should make yourself stand out by giving out unique items such as a Custom PPE kit.
Not only will the people appreciate the fact that their safety matters to you, but the premium item will also put your company in a positive light.
Bottle Opener
Many people will be giving out reusable water bottles, but not many will focus on bottle openers. Give out branded bottle openers and when people will use them at their homes when they have guests over, it will increase your brand awareness as well.
What are the WORST Trade Show Giveaway Ideas?
There are many inexpensive trade show gifts that have been overused and lost their effectiveness over time. Let’s take a brief look at these items.
T-Shirts
T-shirts are overall a bad idea: no one wants to wear a shirt with a random logo on it when they are hanging out with friends or going to a company meeting. This is definitely not the type of trade show swag that visitors want.
USB Sticks
These are a thing of the past – most visitors will throw them in the first trash can they see or will get thrown into a desk to be forgotten about.
Keychains
Keychains are very personal and usually, people choose something that appeals to their hearts. All the tradeshow keychains barely ever make it to our keys. People either forget about them or lose them before even using them.
Pens
Pens are simply overused and will likely get shoved into a desk with a thousand other pens – never to be seen again.
You want to spend your money on an item that will not only leave a mark on the customer’s mind but will also be used over and over again.
Toys
These aren’t kids coming to your trade show booth- these are adults! This is definitely a bad giveaway idea – no 30-year-old man will want to be seen with a kid’s toy.
Calendars
You don’t want to give the impression to show attendees that your company is stuck in the past. Our world has gotten past paper calendars. Now you can just click a button and you can pull one up in no time straight on your mobile devices.
Trade Show Promotional Items FAQ’s
Q. Are Trade Show Giveaways a Good Idea?
Yes! Promotional items bring your marketing message right to your target audience. If you give attendees the perfect gift, it will give them a better impression of your brand; therefore increasing brand awareness.
From a recent study from Quill, trade show booths that did giveaways had a 176% increase in traffic compared to those that didn’t.
Q. Where can I order and design promotional giveaways?
Don’t worry – we got you covered. Here at Inspire, we create branded products that you and trade show attendees will love. Click here to order now!
Q. How many giveaways should I bring to a Trade Show?
You can easily Google and find out how many trade show attendees will be at your trade show. Make sure to bring enough for everyone plus about 10% more just in case.
Closing
All in all, giveaways are a great way to make your booth stand out among the rest at a trade show. Great trade show giveaways will leave attendees will remembering your name – bringing oodles more sales to your company.
