Tips & Tricks for Presenting Product at a Home Show

ATTRACT CONSUMERS!
Attracting consumers begins with an attractive booth.

You have decided to invest in exhibit space – maximizing your return on investment will take some time and knowledge. Begin with the appearance of your booth. Often, this is the first impression consumers will have of your company. Treat your exhibit space with as much respect as you treat the reputation of your company.

Attendees should immediately be able to recognize:
– your level of professionalism
– your company name
– exactly what you have to offer

• Carpeting in your booth is not required, but strongly recommended. The majority of your neighbors will have carpeting or flooring in their booth. The venue floor is cement slab and unattractive. If you choose not to rent carpeting, you may buy your own, lay an area rug, etc.
• Include greenery in your booth. It’s amazing how far a little houseplant will go toward making your space more welcoming.
• Have professional signage. Most Home Shows do not allow any handwritten signage.
• Make your exhibit space as interactive as possible. It will make attendees want to see what is going on in your booth.
• Allow attendees easy access in and out of your booth. Don’t allow tables to barricade people in or out of your space.
• Giveaways can increase traffic to your booth. We highly recommend your giveaway is product appropriate as this will ensure quality leads.
• Allow enough room to have a comfortable closing area.

RALLY YOUR TROOPS

• The Fresno Home Show requires that your booth be staffed at all times. Have a pre-show meeting with your staff to discuss goals, techniques, key messages, and selling points. Having a pre-show meeting can eliminate any scheduling questions, product questions or miscommunications.
• Make sure everyone staffing your booth can speak knowledgeably about all of the products and services you offer.
• Decide on how to qualify leads and how they will be handled post-show. Click here for lead card example.
• While in essence you have created a mobile showroom, remind your sales team that exhibit sales often requires a slight change in technique. The venue will be full of stimuli and high-pressure sales techniques can become overwhelming to the attendee. Therefore, when talking to attendees, ask short, open-ended questions to determine their level of interest. Take a few minutes to listen and understand their needs so you can offer the products or services best suited.
• Smiles and friendly banter, while remaining professional can go a long way toward building a trustworthy and profitable relationship.
  

PRE-SHOW MARKETING

• Invite your clients and potential clients to the show. All Exhibitors receive (4) FREE Exhibitor Tickets per 100sq./ft. for this purpose.
• Include your unlimited coupons in all mailings, e-newsletters and post it on your web site.
• Include your participation in the show and your booth number in all advertising you do leading up to the show.
• Offer show-only pricing. Example: Receive 10% off for purchasing today!
• Call your sales representative for more information on co-op advertising opportunities.

SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY

Make sure you familiarize yourself with all of the deadlines. Don’t miss out on any discounts. Go to the Deadlines & Checklist page for all important dates.

ASK QUESTIONS! And have a great show!

Related articles

• 8 Modern Ways to Crush Your Trade Show Competition (hubspot.com)
• How to Make a Trade Show Profitable (inc.com)
• Promotional Items for Tradeshows (bltshirtprinters.wordpress.com)

What can the TRASH KNIGHT do for me?

Written by: Anne Driscoll for Trash Knight

One of the most necessary items for the home, yet one of the most unnoticed is the trash can. We mindlessly toss a crumpled piece of paper its way, shove it haphazardly underneath our sinks and toss them around our backyards until trash night comes.

Actually, I’m only half-right. We do notice our trash cans. When they are smelly, messy and unsightly. When trash cans begin being a noticeable issue, it’s time to rethink the garbage can strategy. When buying your next trash can, why not opt for something a bit more dignified and something that will stand up to the elements, rodents and large animals. (READ: BEARS!)

Q. What can the TRASH KNIGHT do for me?

A. The main use of the TRASH KNIGHT has always been to keep animals out of residential garbage, but it does other things as well.

1. The rolling and towable models are an excellent mobility aid for older folks or a simple convenience for anybody who doesn’t want to make multiple trips to the curb lugging heavy trash cans. Your garbage can be taken out on ‘trash night’ (the night before your trash service comes), to avoid having to take it out before dawn on ‘trash day’ for fear of animal intrusion.

2. The TRASH KNIGHT can get your garbage cans out of the garage. Tired of that odor when you go to get in your car?

3. The TRASH KNIGHT opens your cans for you. No more prying unsanitary lids off. Taking the garbage out is now ‘touchless’. Germaphobes rejoice!

4. Reduce your trash can expense. The Rubbermaid BRUTEtm trash can is an extremely  tough commercial grade product. They are expensive, but last a very long time, and the Trash Man can’t throw the lids when they are attached to the unit. In fact, my trash man likes the fact that he never has to pick up my trash so much that he has agreed to gently place my cans back in my TRASH KNIGHT rather than tossing them on the ground.

5. The TRASH KNIGHT can be used for storage of animal feed of almost any type. From rabbits to horses, one of our models can simplify feeding time and ensure varmint proof storage.

Q. What trash can does the TRASH KNIGHT use and why? 

A. The TRASH KNIGHT uses the 32 gallon Rubbermaid BRUTEtm trash can for one reason- they are the best. They are not inexpensive ($30.00 each at the big box stores), but they hold up very well, which creates value in the long run. We have customers that have had the same set of cans for over ten years. They will not crack even when smashed badly. During destructive testing, we put ten gallons of water in them, froze them solid and threw them as far as we could without damage. My children have used the lids as Frisbees and were only able to damage our vehicles. Try that with an $18.00 can.