Advertising, Sales and Marketing
    


Compliance and HR

- Labor Law Posters
- Safety Posters
- Employee Handbook
- Employment Forms
- Payroll Software
- Restaurant Posters
- HR Training & Tools
 
Legal and Financial
- Incorporate Online
- Merchant Accounts
- Legal & Business Forms
- Business Loans
 
Productivity & News
-Do-It-Yourself Email
-Free Magazines
-Templates &
  Productivity Tools
-Find Jobs, Find
  Employees
 
Small business and home business ideas and advice on marketing, employees, financing, and start-up.
Ask BKH 
Business Ideas
Business Plans
Career 
Franchise Information
Growth & Leadership
Home Business
Human Resources
Internet Business
IRS Resources
Law
Long Island Businesses
Mailing & Shipping
Marketing
Management
Money & Finance
Small Business Blog
Start Business
Technology
Tips & Hints
Videos

Event & Party Planning
Medical Transcription
Secretarial Businesses
Writers & Publishers
Of Thee I Sing
 

Polls
iPhone Help
More Resources
Online Florist


Welcome
Feedback
Who we are
Site Map

 
 
 

 

Dirty Little Secrets: Five Things Trade Show Attendees Don't Want You To Know

by Susan Friedmann,
author of Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies

Look at there at the show floor. Check out the attendees. They look ordinary enough -- but they have secrets. Dirty little secrets that they'd never tell anyone, not even under duress.

Successful selling at trade shows depends upon two things. One is your products and personnel: How good are your products and services, and how well do your people represent them. The second has nothing to do with you at all. It has everything to do with secrets.

Not all attendees are the same, and not every buyer on the floor shares these secrets. But most do, whether they'd like to admit it or not. These secrets are strong unifying factors that influence their buying decisions. If you, as a smart and savvy trade show exhibitor, know what these secrets are and tailor your exhibit appropriately, you'll come away with higher sales numbers every time.

If you could hear your attendee's deepest, most secret thoughts, they might go something like this:

Secret #1: We're impatient
Let's be real here. The boss just shipped me to Orlando from the middle of a Buffalo blizzard. The last thing I want to do is spend the entire day putzing around looking at new attachments for our Widget making machine. If you show me what I want, at a reasonable price, I'm gonna close the deal in a hurry and go hit the beach.

What this means to you: Understanding your buyer is crucial. When you know what your target audience needs, wants, and expects, it's easier to provide it for them. Added incentives and special savings only sweetens the pot, especially for the attendee who wants to get the business part of the business trip out of the way.

Secret #2: We're lazy
Sure, it sounds like a great deal. But to get that price, I've got to go log onto the web, go to the website, enter a code, fill out a questionnaire, and then go through the purchasing process? Forget that! I'll go over here to Vendor Z. I might pay a few dollars more, but I won't have to jump through any hoops.

What this means to you: If you're going to offer a show special or promotion, focus on making it user-friendly. Buyers are willing to pay more to avoid what they perceive as 'too much' work. Each market has a different threshold point, and this varies with how much potential savings you're offering. Customers are willing to give more when they are getting more in return.

Secret #3: We're Egotistical
You might not realize this, but I'm the smartest person here. And the tallest. And the best looking. I'm so gosh-darned amazing, actually, that you'll find yourself compelled to give me awesome deals.

What this means to you: It's important to give your buyers recognition. "Bonus Buys" -- windfall items 'spontaneously' thrown in when a purchase is made -- is a fantastic way to do this. Offer discounted prices on the floor model, for the 'serious buyers only'. Exclusivity sells.

Don't start the recognition at the trade show. Reach out to your clients before hand via e-mail and direct mail marketing, letting them know what special deals can be had at your booth. A little extra effort goes a long way.

Secret #4: We hate math
Ok, I don't want to look like an idiot here. But there's $25 off of Widget A, 15% off Widget A-1, and a $500 rebate if I buy now. Exactly how much is that? Is that a good deal? I hate percentages.

What this means for you: Remember the KISS acronym, especially when promoting discounts and sale prices at a tradeshow. You want to Keep It Super Simple! Rather than listing a complex set of discounts, focus on the total savings. Have printed price sheets where your booth staffers can highlight appropriate discounted prices and write in the total savings.

Secret #5: We liked to be pushed
I see that this price is only good for a limited time. I've read it on the sign. You've told me during the sales presentation. I know and understand that there's a deadline.

And you know what? Chances are I'm going to forget. And when I discover that I missed out on saving hundreds of dollars, I am going to be miffed.

What this means for you: People have to experience a piece of information six times before they remember it -- and that's in normal, everyday circumstances, not the hustle and bustle of the show floor. Remind your booth staffers to mention the deadline often. Make note of it on any follow-up correspondence, and send a reminder notice to likely prospects. The reminder nudge will spur sales.

Want to link to this page? Copy the text below and paste it into your web page:

Written by Susan A. Friedmann, CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: "Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies," working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Go to http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com to sign up for a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week.

 

Follow Us and Share

 
 
 

Get free marketing, sales, advertising and management ideas delivered to your inbox.

 

Subscribe to the Business Know-How Newsletter

Primary Email Address:

 

We respect your

email privacy!

 

Instant Sales Letters

Stop wondering what to say in a sales letter! Use these templates to save hours of time composing your own sales letters. Profit from the affiliate program, too. Details >>

 

 

Latest Articles

Disclaimer
[Article Submission Guidelines]
[Welcome] [About Us] [Advertise]
[Small Business (home page)] [Marketing] [Direct Mail Ideas] [Human Resources] [Money Management]
[Business Loans] [Franchise] [Starting A Business] [Home Business] [Leadership & Personal Development] [Tips & Hints] [Ask Business Know-How] [Blog]
[Legal Know-How] [MLM Know-How] [Career] [Feedback] [Free Newsletter]
Privacy Statement

The information compiled on this site is Copyright 1999-2012 by Attard Communications, Inc. and by the individual authors.
Business Know-How is a woman-owned business and a registered trademark of Attard Communications, Inc. Phone: 631-467-8883.

http://www.businessknowhow.com