Setting up a trade show booth is worthless if you don’t attract the audience you are looking for. Yet, you cannot appear too desperate to attract trade show attendees as that can make you look like a tool. Urban Dictionary defines a tool as “one who lacks the mental capacity to know he is being used. A fool. A cretin. Characterized by low intelligence and/or self-steem.” Anyway, with several different marketing strategies available to businesses nowadays, the emphasis on trade shows has somewhat dwindled. As a result, the attendance has also decreased. Therefore, you need to put in extra effort to increase the traffic to your booth. Here are some effective ways to draw in trade show attendees without looking like a tool:

Pre-Show Promotion

At least a few weeks, if not months, before the trade show, you have to commence marketing activities. If you don’t tell your target audience about the trade show, how can you expect them to attend it? The wheels have to be put into motion early on so that you have sufficient time to get your message across. Plus, a longer marketing campaign means you can reach a wider audience. So, how can you go about marketing your trade show presence?

  • Advertise the trade show on your social media pages and even your main website. You can place a banner ad about the event and display it prominently. Be sure to add the event in your Facebook page, if you have one, so that your fans can RSVP and get other information regarding the show. Adding a countdown clock to your website could also help generate some excitement about the event.
  • Make your presence felt in the promotional material for the event. Get in touch with the organizers and ensure that your business is highlighted in any promotional materials that are sent out to attract attendees.
  • Send emails to your contacts regarding the trade show. You can also ask them to subscribe to receive updates about the event. A few days before the trade show, send them a reminder.

These are three effective ways for creating a buzz about your trade show presence before the event.

At the Event

Put yourself in your customers’ shoes. Why would you head to a particular booth if you are at a trade show? There are several factors that count. For example, you may find a booth attractive and eye-catching so you are drawn in immediately. You could also be attracted by any contests or giveaways that are on offer there. It is through these ways you can capture the attention of the people attending the trade show.

  • Make your booth attractive and visually appealing. Even the people not interested in your business should notice your presence there.
  • Hire staff and have lively, visual demonstrations about your products. Impress the ones who do visit your booth and they will tell their friends and family about your booth and business.
  • You can hold a contest of sorts. Decide on a prize, which could be one of your products or maybe a valuable gadget, like a PlayStation 4. Hold a draw, putting in the names of all attendees. People will be attracted by the chance of winning a new gadget.

These just some of the ways to draw in trade show attendees without looking like a desperate tool. You should keep these in mind so that future trade shows are even more effective and beneficial for your business.