There couldn’t be a better time than the start of fall, alternatively known in the business as the beginning of trade show season, to reflect and prepare. Year after year, regardless of hot trends, our ultimate goal remains to improve the connectivity between our clients and their customers.
With this key objective in mind there are several critical timeframes for winning the audience’s’ attention, our aim is to optimize on those critical times and create messages that resonate and leave impressions on key audience members.
The most critical timeframes surrounding an event or experience are
1.) The Pre-trade show/ event- a time when event info and tips are highly sought after.
2.) During the trade show/ event- capturing attendee and qualified lead information during the experience, and most importantly creating a memorable time for each attendee.
3.) Post trade show/event- providing engagement after the event to build out the overall impression of the experience.
To get the most bang for your buck and really drive home a compelling story to your guest we suggest the following:
Use media in unique ways. Think simple but impactful. Are there members on your team with skills or interests in video production? Perhaps there’s someone in your office who has a knack for creating GIFs, or maybe you are the one who would like to learn. The most impactful elements are straightforward and simple. On any budget, innovative messages can be created and the results of your company’s messages can be tracked and their efficiency analyzed.
Before the event make sure you have a good idea of who is in your audience. What social media channels do they favor? If you have the ability to communicate with them do it! That doesn’t mean you have to have all of their emails, in fact, think outside of the email inbox. Perhaps the event you’re planning for has an online presence, make sure to get connected on all available social media channels and look for opportunities to broadcast. Several weeks before the show social media teams often run contests to drive engagement, think about how your team can drive interest and engagement in the weeks leading up to your event and engage with event contests. Also think about creative social media channels, a good starting point is location- network with the social media where the tradeshow will be held. Piggyback off of relevant events and tourism information to get your information out there. Let people know you’re going to be in town and where to find you.
Direct messaging campaign- Similar to email, Twitter also has a comprehensive direct messaging component. Select key users either in your own followership or across all of Twitter and send them a direct message. Keep the messages fresh and include a call to action like visiting you at the booth (include the number) or responding for VIP after party access. Additionally other platforms such as Snapchat offer unique features such as geo-filters which can be setup to include brand information or provide other creative branding opportunities.
Broadcast your message- Finding channels to broadcast across is key to getting your company’s message to a broader audience. Think about the type of event you’re holding or attending choose six to ten keywords to summarize it.
(example: Automotive Aftermarket Parts Expo (AAPEX)- keywords: Engines, cars, automobiles, aftermarket, mechanic, parts)
Once you have settled on some keywords, search for them in a popular search engine. Also search for them on your favorite social media sites. Look for potential platforms to broadcast across, as well as individuals to partner with.
Finding a broader readership within your target audience is a great way to gain more followers and interest in your brand.