Let’s face it, everybody has exhibited at a tradeshow and at the end of the show said, “I’ll never do this show again”. With the proliferation of trade shows these days, which show do you choose? Well, first of all you don’t just choose one show and let that be your agenda for the year; you plan your schedule strategically. I would suggest, depending on your industry, let’s take manufacturing for example, you choose no fewer than two shows per year and more, if warranted (more on that in a minute). Two shows, one in the spring and one in the fall, allows your organization the benefit from any sales cycles that may exist. More to the point it allows your sales force to interface with prospects and suspects, not to mention customers, which may only get perfunctory attention during the rest of the year. And, it provides excellent momentum for introduction of new products and services. More than two shows? Absolutely, if your organization has opportunities in sectors of large market categories.

But which shows? Here are some suggestions to consider: If the show is National, where can your space be positioned and what is the trend in exhibitors? Can your space be positioned near the entrance or are you going to relegated to some obscure space in the back of the hall? When the calls to entry comes in, are the same number of exhibitors signed up this year as last OR is it negative gain? Is the show manager, your industry association? And, if so, are they offering symposia on meaningful industry issues (or maybe no round tables or topics at all)? If so, can your sales manager be a speaker or at least on a round table discussion panel? If not, chances are your customers will feel the same and skip the show. I would poll your ten top customers and ask what show(s) they attend. And, if there are several new prospects or suspects that have high potential, ask them as well. A blinding glimpse of the obvious? Probably. Good marketing? You bet.

What if the shows your organization is considering are simply Regional or Local in scope? I would call the show manager and ask about attendance over the last several years. If it’s up or steady; it’s definitely worth considering. If not, what’s the point?

When your profits begin a downhill slide or just seem at a stalemate, you scratch your head and ask a thousand times, “What am I doing wrong?” Well, the truth is that you may not be doing anything “wrong”, but there may be some things you could do to bring about a change. The next time you’re up against a brick wall, try implementing these techniques into your marketing campaign, and watch those blues disappear!

1. Change Your Advertising Focus
Hey, everyone is a prospective customer, but let’s face it… not everyone is interested in what you have to offer. Why waste advertising dollars on those who don’t even pay attention?

Find your niche. Identify the audience with the greatest need for what you have, and learn all you can about them. Become a specialist who knows what they need, and advertise directly to them. You’re customer conversion rate will soar!

2. Be Unique.
There are plenty of copy cat marketers out there trying to mimic the success of those around them. Sometimes it works… sometimes it don’t. But the fact of the matter is that the more unique you are the more attention you will get.

What isn’t your competition doing? Yeah, try that! Chances are they can’t or aren’t willing too. That’s your key to success!

3. Offer a Bonus.
Who will pass up a freebie? Add these “on the house” products to your sale to sweeten up the deal. The freebie doesn’t need to be anything too big, or cost you anything. Just the idea of the bonus will increase the perceived value of the purchase in the consumers eyes. And yeah, they’re all looking for the best buy for their buck!

When I say postcard, maybe you think of the old fashioned, jagged edged dull pieces of card stock. Think again! Today’s postcards are vibrant, high-impact creations with clip art so real that it’ll jump off the page at you. And the best thing about them…

1. They’re Short and Personal
Let’s face it, people just don’t have time to sort through a lot of advertisements and junk mail. If the truth be known, they immediately identify ads and pitch them into the trash without ever slitting the envelope.

Postcards get read! It’s already open, and the message is “in your face” without exerting any effort to absorb it. Even if the reader isn’t trying to read it, he’ll get the impact of the short message before he tosses it.

Personal messages have a greater appeal than mass mailings. Postcards keep the old time charm of a personal greeting while implement new high tech marketing strategies… a combination for success.