How can we grab the attention of customers in a sea of booths that are all quite similar to our own? How do we ensure that our fantastic business or our great idea doesn't go unnoticed among all the other exhibitors?
We can share the secret of the successful booth at any fair: it all comes down to effort. Copying what everyone else is doing with little won’t make anyone stop by your booth. You don't want to be that classic 70's salesman, smiling and shouting about the benefits of an amazing vacuum cleaner: don't brag too loudly on social networks. Make your booth do all the dirty work. It’s an opportunity to make your brand glow and to attract customers.
Here we outline the key trade show booth ideas that will make you the star of the next trade show your company attends.
→ The 10 coolest tips to break the ice in your next trade show
Virtual or augmented reality glasses and booths are expensive but well worth the investment for a good design exhibition booth. Customers walking through a fair are tired of reading posters and pamphlets: give them something to do that's exciting and requires interaction, and you will stand out from the crowd.
Replace your catalogues with iPads and images with videos that catch the attention of passersby. Have printed materials or USB keys with premium material (an eBook or white papers) as a gift for the clients who have shown interest in your company. It’s a perfect way to keep your company in the top of mind of those potential customers!
Showcasing your product or service using augmented reality - or through technology- is more effective because customers will underbooth it more easily, they are more likely to be convinced of its functionality and advantages, and it has the plus that everyone wants to try virtual reality glasse! In addition, including elements or tools of augmented reality will give an aspect of technological business, which keeps updated of the latest tech news, and this, always, is a really positive point.
→ Must-have templates for your next trade show
Less is more, remember it always. Forget about the materials pretty much every booth uses — they don't work and merely serve to irritate those passing by. For example, the platforms that can trip the customers who come to see your booth, or posters and cardboard figures that are likely to end up on the floor after the slightest of nudges.
Put your marketing team to work and come up with the most creative, engaging and simple presentation possible for your booth, so you are immediately more striking to any visitor who is interested in approaching. Don't be afraid to use a little pinch of humour: trade shows are serious enough as they are.
What's another key detail almost nobody thinks about? Lighting and fragrance. Create a warm lighting and find a welcoming air freshener, for which you want to be recognised that's also pleasing to passersby. But please, don’t think in using different striking lights, this could be annoying for your booth visitors.
Using soft and fresh fragrances is another important point to take into account. Arriving to a place which smells good helps to build your brand. This fact gives information about how the business takes care of every single detail… Apart from this, it’s a good way to maintain your brand in the mind of the people that enters to your stand... It's easy to recall the smell of the cinema or of certain boutiques, isn't it?
→ The definitive marketing checklist to turn your next trade show into a success
Technology reigns supreme. Don't install a video game console with any random game, but have a fun app or interface for visitors and one where they can get a gift or promotion if they complete it (better still if the gift is related with your product or service).
Do you sell services and not a product that can be touched and played around with? Create an activity based on your service. For example, imagine you are an eCommerce courier company, how about a panel full of mailboxes where the visitor has to distribute a bunch of letters in 30 seconds?
Apart from using augmented reality, participating in a trade show activities is also important to create experiences and place your business in your visitors mind, wow! People love to play and to get rewards. With a game like this, you can distribute materials in the fair venue that promote your business and collect data from visitors who come to your booth. You can also add them to your database of potential customers.
These kind of games and promotions are perfect to share in your social media networks. This is a great way to expand your presence and capt more visitors to your booth ! To achieve this challenge use the specific hashtags of the fair… You will see soon it’s effects, come on!
How many times does a client come home from a fair with a bag full of useless things? T-shirts with huge logos they will never use, hard drives that end up in a drawer and keychains that go straight to the bin.
Stop spending your budget on gifts that won't make anyone remember you, and offer experiences in return. For example, something like a small bar where an aperitif is served to any client who wants to approach and learn more. At the end of the day will they really remember a free tote bag or those typical trade show giveaways? No, but sure they will remember your glass of wine and toast. Opportunities for people to take a moment, relax and enjoy good food are really appreciated at fairs. And your booth could end up being the most photographed in Instagram.
Designing an open booth where everyone wants to approach is great. But, once inside, the client may need a little more privacy.
Reserve a small space to build a corner for clients only, perhaps with a small table, a couple of comfortable seats and fresh coffee. Here you can explain to them in a more personal way, with a little bit of privacy away from the hustle and bustle of the fair. This gives the client an immediate sensation of receiving a personal and customer focused experience, instead of being spoken to boothing up and in public like any other visitor. After some hours or days of fair activity, counting with a chill out space in your booth, will be very appreciated by your clients and potential clients, trust us!
They say that at a trade show you must be the first to arrive and the last to leave; but, above all, you must be as creative as possible with your trade show booth ideas (and during all your trade show time — here you have 20 tips for a successful trade show).
Keep abreast of the latest trends, get to know your competitors so you are not copying their strategy and show that your company promotes itself in a way that is fun and original for everyone involved.
We help you with that and, if you have any doubts, here you can find why a PIM is your secret weapon for a successful trade show, don’t underestimate it…. And luckily in Sales Layer we’ve got the best PIM system for your marketing needs and budget.