One of the best places for you to boost your business and get relationships going is to network at trade shows. And it is a very important thing to consider, however, it’s not always so easy. Some people don’t network as well as they do online. But this is why it’s important to be aware of the following tips so you can get the most out of your trade show experience.
Setting up a Great Experience
Many people talk about style over substance, but if you have a great trade show booth, this can make it a lot easier for you. You can pique people’s interests by having a trade show booth that is worth talking about. There are trade show booth rentals available for most people’s needs and budget, and when you start to create a booth that is linked with your brand and makes a big impact, this makes it easier for you to get to know people, whether it is a customer or a potential client.
Be Aware Where of Who Is Coming
You need to go in with a predetermined action plan studying beforehand who will attend, and what companies you are interested in building a working relationship with is crucial. When you have made a list of the relevant companies, you need to drill down further to the CEOs, marketing teams, communications managers, and so on. It’s always worth looking at their LinkedIn profile and just finding some interesting tidbits to help nurture a solid conversation. It’s also worth addressing if representatives of certain companies are going to participate in an event, such as a presentation or a public talk.
Always Have Business Cards Ready
It’s something that you shouldn’t have to think about. Business cards are invaluable because they provide the clients or customers with relevant contact details in a simple package. Having business cards ready is not just about making sure that it’s got your details, but it actually stands out.
Schedule Your Activities in Advance
When we visit any trade show, we may have a grand plan to visit every single stall that we are interested in, but we always tend to find there is not enough time to network properly. Preparing your activities in advance gives you the opportunity to know what you want, and prioritize everything accordingly.
Talk, but Also Listen
A live event like a trade show can be a big, booming environment, which is why it can be difficult to hold conversations. It’s important to practice being warm and inviting in these scenarios. When you look at politicians who attend mass gatherings, they always make the person they are speaking to the most important person in the room. And this is something that we can all benefit from. When you prepare your listening skills, it makes for a far more symbiotic conversation. This means learning to exude your natural charisma.
There will be plenty of competition out there, and the pressure to find the right people to benefit your business can mean that you end up being rude to people who are not important, but to network effectively as a trade show, you’ve got to make the person you’re speaking to the most important person in the room at that time.