Are you an Old School Trade Show Marketer?

Do you have a exhibit sign that reads "Exhibitor permission required to take photographs & video."? 

Trade shows are going through a marketing rebirth thanks to social media marketing, web 2.0 techniques, tablet computers and smart phones. In the past a trade show manager's work was completed once the show opened. Some trade show marketers even left the show once it started. Thanks to these new marketing techniques, a trade show manager's work is just beginning. During the show, they can now post videos on YouTube, blog, Tweet and post show updates on FaceBook. Trade show managers can further market their exhibit & products using these techniques with the help their show attendees.

A smart trade show manager will use these new marketing techniques and encourage attendees to take exhibit photos & videos in their exhibit and share them over the Internet. I know some companies want to control their marketing message but with today's web2.0 marketing tools and smart phones, the horse has already left the barn.  Why not embrace the idea of others helping you market your products and services. Consider putting up a sign in your exhibits that reads "No permission required to take photos and videos. We even encourage you to share them on your social networks."

Worried about attendees posting bad quality photos & videos of your product? Most poor quality photos and videos on the Internet are are result of bad lighting. If your exhibit is properly lit, it will vastly improve the quality of the photos and videos taken in your exhibit. You can reward attendees who share your products or services on their social networks by offering a drink, or a trade show hand-out. If an attendee has very large social media following or high Klout score, be sure to give them the red carpet treatment, since they have a large digital footprint and can further spread your marketing message. Also post QR tags in your booth to make easier for attendees to share their findings with fellow co-workers. 


With today's social media sharing, you no longer have to rely only on yourself or on trade publications to write about your product or service.


P.J. Naughton
Dimension Craft Inc.
"Designers & Builders of Quality Exhibits"
info@dimensioncraftinc.com
773-925-6500

How to use QR tags at your next Trade Show

 QR Tags & Trade Shows

Smart phones like the Apple iPhone & Android are changing the way attendees collect information at trade shows. Smart exhibitors will realize this and adjust their trade show marketing strategy. If you really want to engage and market your product beyond the halls of the show, add a QR tag to your exhibit's pop up banner stand, product or product ID stand.

QR Tags: How they Work

A QR (quick response) is a two dimensional matrix that when scanned with a smart phone will automatically  hyperlink your web browser to a pre-selected landing page. 

What is needed?

First of all you'll need a smart phone iPhone or Android. If using an iPhone you need to down the QR app. Using the iPhone as example you need to download the free QR app from the iTunes store. Click here to do so. Once the app is done downloading, open the app, zoom in on the above QR tag. Once in focus, click on the iPhones camera icon located on the bottom of your screen, then click the Use button in the lower right corner. Your web browser will then automatically hyperlink you to the Dimension Craft web page. 

How do I get a QR tag?

QR tags are free and there are many free sites available  to get a tag. I like to use the QRCode site since it gives me the option to create QR tags for web pages, text & phone numbers. To get your QR tag click here, add your URL landing page and click generate. When the QR tag appears, place your mouse over the image, right click with your mouse and save your QR tag to your computer.

What can I do with a QR tag?

QR tags can be added to your trade show graphics, pop up banners, product ID stands, business cards, literature, pre-show mailings and even shirts worn at trade shows. The QR landing pages can be hyperlinked but not limited to a web page that further explains an exhibited product, a YouTube video, or an e-commerce page. 

Sharing the information

Once the exhibitor has the QR tag on his/her phone, they can easily and quickly share it with their fellow decision makers as well as their social network. In a way they are now marketing your product for you. Imagine if an attendee sends out the following Tweet. "Check out this awesome product demo QR-hyperlink at the #CompanyName booth-number #TradeShow Name." The Tweet will show up in the Twitter stream for anyone searching the name of the show. When I attend a show, I open up my iPhone Twitter app an type in the name of the show into the Twitter search box. From here, I can view what attendees & exhibitors are talking about. 

Summary

In summary, QR tags can make your potential customers become your best marketers.

Dimension Craft Inc.

phone: 773-925-6500

info@dimensioncraftinc.com

www.dimensioncraftinc.com 

Marketing during a Trade Show - Web Marketing 2.0

Think all your marketing is done once the show begins? Think again, its just getting started. With today's 2.0 marketing tools and the growing popularity of smart phones, you can now also market your products or services during the show. I'm not talking about handing out trade show bags or expensive on-site advertising but rather these inexpensive 2.0 ideas you can do yourself.

1. Twitter: Tweeting is good way to reach trade show attendees who are not your Twitter followers. Send out Tweet updates during the show. Be sure to add #showname in your Tweets so they are found in the Twitter real time search stream. Tweet about your new products, demonstrations, contest or raffles.

2. Facebook: Facebook updates can be used like Twitter but your post reside on your FB wall. Posting Facebook info to your wall is a good way to engage with your Fans who may or not be at the show. Your FB post will show up on your followers (Fans) wall post. This why it's important to build your FaceBook following. With Google Real Time Search your FaceBook  updates will appear to people who are not part of your network which further enhances your digital footprint.

3. QR Tags: If you really want to engage with a show attendee, add a QR tag to a pop up banner or product ID stand. When a QR tag is scanned by the attendees smart phone, you can link them to a website which could further explain your exhibited product or bring them to a RFQ page. The attendee can then share the link with fellow co-workers or their social network. (If you know of any customers with a large social network or blog following, ask them if they would mind posting some kind words about your product.)

4. Blogs: Blog posting about your show or event can be done before, during and after the show. Your post can include new product announcements, or your take on the show. Be sure to add/tag the name of the show in your post. Since blog post are indexed within hours (unlike web pages which can take up to 12 days), many of your blog post can appear in a search engines while the show is still going on.

5. Adwords: Google Trends show that searches for trade show names ramp up before and during the event and drops off a cliff when the event is over. Consider running a Google Adwords campaign before and during the show. Most trade shows names have little adword competition making the keyword affordable. Your advertisement can announce new products, specials, raffles, contest,  and your booth number.

PJ Naughton

Dimension Craft Inc. is a full service trade show exhibit company specializing in custom built trade show exhibits and displays. We can be contacted at 773-925-6500 or e-mail info@dimensioncraftinc.com