This is a guest post from Rebecca at Portfolio Displays
Staggering statistics have revealed that many of the UK’s SMEs are falling
by the wayside and letting the opportunities presented at exhibitions and trade
shows pass them by. It is estimated that around 80% of the leads generated at
trade fairs and other industry events are not followed up on, whilst 65% of the
specially printed literature created for the events is discarded at the end of
the day.
Around one fifth of the UK’s exhibition participants don’t even track the
ROI on their digitally
printed banners. The figures demonstrate that many of the smaller
businesses in the UK are not capitalising on the exhibition season; these
important steps demonstrate how best to take advantage of these high-profile
events and use them to boost publicity, awareness and more importantly company
profits.
- The promotional taskforce should begin not on the
morning of the exhibition, but weeks in advance. Identifying the target
audience and contacting them informing them of the event beforehand is
crucial; the more interested parties are aware of the event, the more
chance there is of drumming up plenty of enquiries.
- The organisation should also identify personal targets
and responsibilities for all the staff members who will be manning the
exhibition displays and stands. Setting personal targets for each member
of staff is a great way of motivating them to hit higher targets and
attract more leads; having a stand manager also helps to monitor progress
throughout the day.
- All staff should be briefed before the show opens,
taking advantage of each staff member’s unique qualities; those
particularly interested in technology should be giving demonstrations and
using tablet
display stands to show videos, whilst those with the customer facing
experience can network and speak to the relevant people passing by.
- With well-trained staff and a coherent method statement
in place for the exhibition, the next step is to ensure high-quality
materials. Digitally printed Foamex displays and banners with eye-catching
designs draw in the crowds, whilst supplementary leaflets, flyers and
business cards ensure that everyone leaves the stand with something to
consult later.
- Depending on the type of exhibition, it is likely that
there will be a lull in visitor numbers at some point during the day; use
this time to ensure the display area is immaculate, and consider making
changes in accordance with visitor reactions.
- Take a walk round the exhibition and chat to other
suppliers and network that way. You never know who may be exhibiting next
door to you and referral business can be very powerful.
- If many visitors take leaflets but did not stop to
engage with sales staff, encourage the team to ask open questions and
attract more visitors. If there are still masses of promotional leaflets
and flyers lying around, consider placing them somewhere more accessible,
or having staff hand them out personally.
- And remember to smile and be polite, no one likes a
pushy salesman. Try to be polite and attract the crowds to you.
Taking these basic steps and assessing progress at every opportunity is a
great way to track where the business is succeeding during exhibition season.
The simplest actions of training staff and ensuring high quality materials are
distributed can go a long way to ensuring a profitable event.
Labels: customer engagement, digital displays, exhibitions
