4 Tips For Your First Business Expo
Small business expos are a great way for businesses to promote themselves in a strong networking setting and meet new people in the industry. There are also plenty of opportunities to learn, collaborate, and generate sales leads. All in all, expos are a fantastic way to get face-to-face with your audience and grow awareness.
In our experience, preparation is key for getting the most out of an expo. That’s why we’ve put together four tips that will get your preparation jump-started.
Dress to Impress
We always want to put our best foot forward, especially when we’re representing a business at an event. One way to do this, and create a nice pocket of awareness, is to outfit your team with branded apparel. That is, clothing or accessories that bear your logo and branding.
Branded apparel creates a uniform and professional look for your team. They also tie the experiences people have with your team to the brand.
Polos, standard shirts, athletic gear, and corporate attire can all be either printed upon or embroidered with your logo and branding. Some apparel can even be dyed with your brand colours. There are plenty of options out there – and you can always chat to us if you want some advice.
Perfect your Elevator Pitch
Previously, we’ve spoken about the importance of an elevator pitch in relation to grant applications. However, an elevator pitch is also extremely valuable for expos. No matter if you’re manning a booth or attending as a guest, you need to be able to give all who ask a snappy yet informative rundown of your business.
An elevator pitch should cover the who, what, and why (and sometimes how) of your business.
Depending on the style of the expo, there may also be opportunities for you to speak at a panel or present to an audience. A quick pitch that you or the moderator can provide to the audience is a great way to get their attention and keep them engaged.
The point of an elevator pitch is that people walk away from the conversation with a firm understanding of who you are and what you provide, even if the pitch doesn’t open the door to a longer conversation. So make sure that you have your pitch prepared!
Sign Up For Signage
It is essential to properly outfit your booth at an expo so that people can identify your business and get a glimpse of what you do before they even hear your elevator pitch. Plus, an attractive and eye-catching setup is more appealing to attendees and will encourage them to approach, linger, and remember you afterwards.
If you have a display or activation area, then signage is even more important for encouraging engagement and conversations.
During pre-expo preparation, think about pull up banners, teardrop flags, posters, and table signage. Depending on your budget, you can have a full booth kit created, which usually include all sorts of signage, backdrops, and branded table coverings.
(Outdoor expos almost always demand a marquee to protect your team and gear from the elements. Luckily, marquees can also be fully branded if you’re keen to invest in signage.)
Collect Your Collateral
There’s a good reason why you get at least one free tote bag when you go to an expo – you need somewhere easy to store all of the free goodies, flyers, and catalogues you collect as you go.
Ensure that you have something that can be given to attendees when they stop by your booth. Flyers are popular for expos, as they’re cost-effective, compact, and good conversation starters. Depending on your budget, you may want to consider brochures, stickers, magnets, and other promotional material.
Asides from advertising your business, these items act as tethers to the memories and experiences of the expo – ideally, to you and your business.
And whatever you do, don’t forget the business cards!
Visit Brokat at the VCC Business and Networking Expo!
We can’t talk about business expos and not mention one that we ourselves will be attending! Open to all businesses and curious-minded people, the VCC Business and Networking Expo brings together businesses and professionals based in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley and surrounds. There’s music, food, mingling, and plenty of booths to browse.
There’s still time to register for a free ticket – and if you do, come to our area and say hello!
