• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Submissions
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Feb 2, 2023
  • Startup
    • Creating a Plan
    • Funding a Startup
    • Franchise Center
    • Getting Your Office Ready
    • Making Your Business Official
    • Marketing Your New Business
    • Personal Readiness
  • Run & Grow
    • Customer Service
    • Human Resources
    • Innovation
    • Legal
    • Operations
    • Risk Management
  • Leadership
    • Best Practices
    • Communication
    • Green Initiatives
    • Open Culture
    • Strategic Planning
    • People Skills
  • Sales & Marketing
    • Advertising and Lead Generation
    • Marketing Innovations
    • Marketing Plans
    • Online Marketing
    • Relationships
    • Sales Activities
  • Finance
    • Budgeting and Personal Finance
    • Payments and Collections
    • Tax and Accounting
    • Pricing Strategy
    • Working with Investors
    • Working with Lenders
  • Tech
    • eCommerce
    • Hardware
    • Software
    • Security
    • Tech Reviews
    • Telecom
  • Shop

SmallBizClub

Helping You Succeed

taxbandits banner
Home / Sales and Marketing / How to Network Effectively at a Trade Show
How to Network Effectively at a Trade Show

How to Network Effectively at a Trade Show

650 Views

Oct 17, 2022 By Charlotte Sylvester

Trade shows are the perfect opportunity to meet other brands in your industry and stay updated, but what are some of the best ways to network and get results? In this article, we take a look at some of the most effective strategies for engaging with customers and brands at trade shows. 

Image Credit 

Carry Out Research 

It’s better to be prepared at a trade show and to know what brands and clients you want to connect with instead of being caught out. The last thing you want is to miss an opportunity with an exciting client or vendor because you didn’t recognize their face; a little research goes far. 

 Not only do you need to know the brand and business quite well so that you can chat with them in an informed way, but you also need to know who runs the organization at different levels and who are the best people to connect with. Some people might attend the event on different days. 

Identify Targets 

Chances are you have some target customers or brands in mind for the trade show event, you will be waiting for an opportunity to connect with a player in the industry or valuable vendor, but there are many more targets at the trade show it can be useful to talk to about industry topics. 

Depending on the nature of your business, you may or may not have customer profiles for your target customers; if you do, you can use these to target the right demographic on the floor. If you don’t have customer personas, it’s a good idea to create some and find a trade floor map.

Business Cards 

Business cards are a currency at trade shows; not only will you pass them out to customers and vendors, but you can expect to receive a fair few in return. Exchanging business cards is a convention, but unless you’re careful, your carefully designed card will become lost in the pile. 

During your conversations with people at trade shows, make them understand what you offer and what value you can bring to their businesses. A trade show interaction is a balance between friendly information and networking, so try to leave the best possible impression.  

Appropriate Timing 

Part of making the best impression on customers is dialoguing with them at the right moments. At a trade show, there are plenty of opportunities to speak to people, but it’s better if it’s at your stall instead of the canteen or a corridor. Be creative with your stall with unusual visuals or games that draw people in. It can be an eye-catching sign or contest that wins prizes. How about attracting people with a custom prize wheel? Custom prize wheels are excellent for drawing attention to a stall, they are bright and interesting, and they offer prizes to customers. Once you have their attention, you can ask them if they want to know more about your services and invite them to a networking space nearby. 

Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool to use at trade shows; it allows you to research other brands and connect with customers without the need for marketing materials. Make sure you integrate social media into your branding, advertising, and business cards, so they can find you easily.  

Filed Under: Sales and Marketing Tagged With: Networking, Trade Shows

Charlotte Sylvester

Charlotte Sylvester

Charlotte Sylvester is a post-graduate freelance writer with 5 years experience in ghostwriting and blog management. As well as being a seasoned writer and aspiring author, Charlotte is a passionate Badminton player, although her heart outweighs her talent.

Related Posts

  • business-networking--7-warning-signs-you-re-probably-doing-it-wrongIn-Person Meetings Are Back: Master the Art of Event Networking
  • why-trade-shows-are-alive-and-wellHow to Step Up Your Trade Show Game
  • How to Make a Great Impression When Networking

Primary Sidebar

Random

10-entrepreneur-milestones-that-make-funding-easy

How Funding Data Can Improve Investor Outcomes

Feb 2, 2023 By SmallBizClub

two-key-digital-innovations-for-small-business

What Can You Do to Give Your Business a Boost?

Feb 2, 2023 By Charlotte Sylvester

5 Tips for Self-Financing Your Startup

Feb 1, 2023 By Lending Tree

Best Places to Buy Property in Portugal: Quick Overview

Feb 1, 2023 By SmallBizClub

4-services-you-need-when-moving-into-a-new-office

Key Factors in Choosing a Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Property

Jan 31, 2023 By SmallBizClub

Footer

About Us

Small Biz Club is the premier destination for small business owners and entrepreneurs. To succeed in business, you have to constantly learn about new things, evaluate what you’re doing, and look for ways to improve—that’s what we’re here to help you do.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 by Tarkenton Institute, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Terms | Privacy