Ever wondered how to make the most out of exhibitions?
A connection recently reached out to me with a question that many of us face: How should startups approach exhibitions to maximize their benefits?
I shared my insights with them, and I believe these strategies can help many of you as well.
Here’s what I told them:
Every shop is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. However, thorough planning and a clear strategy are essential before investing in any exhibition.
Here are the questions we always ask ourselves before participating:
1️⃣ What is our goal? Is it branding or business? Are we aiming for visibility or leads?
2️⃣ What are we offering? Are we promoting services or products?
3️⃣ Who will visit our booth? Do we have a pre-planned footfall or are we relying solely on exhibition visitors?
4️⃣ What is our budget for giveaways and event-specific offers?
5️⃣ What is our follow-up strategy post-event?
Pro tip: Don’t expect immediate conversions or MOUs during the event. A robust follow-up strategy is crucial for generating actual outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Plan properly, understand your objectives and prepare accordingly.
✅ Set realistic expectations, exhibitions are like any paid advertising medium. They work if you continuously learn, test, and optimize.
✅ Follow-up diligently: This is where the real magic happens.
Remember, if you are just trying it out and unsure if you will participate in the next event, you should not jump into it in the first place.
Event participation and exhibitions are just like any other paid advertising medium. They work, but you must learn, do A/B testing, reiterate your positioning and offerings, and understand what you can sell for your company at the events.
Sharing this so it can help many more of you make informed decisions and achieve your exhibition goals.
