Trade Show Promotional Idea: Using Selfies to Create Trade Show Buzz

Have you jumped on the selfie craze yet? Selfies aren't just for kids anymore. Not only are adults having just as much fun taking selfies or photos of themselves with their friends or in fun places, selfies can be harnessed to provide some creative promotions for your business.

What is a selfie, you ask? A selfie is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a hand-held digital camera or camera phone, which is then shared on social networking services such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or Twitter.

Last night at the 2015 Oscars, our favorite movie stars were posing for and posting selfies left and right.

A week ago President Obama, had fun creating silly poses with a "selfie stick” while creating a promotional video for HealthCare.gov. The clip, which was produced by the video arm of the viral content experts at BuzzFeed, was online for less than an hour when it already received 100,000 views. Obama used one of the hottest-selling items in both retail and the promotional markets—a monopod, also known as a selfie stick, to capture our attention.

Why are selfies so popular? They are a fun way to communicate and express yourself. They are also a great way to encourage people to promote your brand or create some buzz in your trade show booth.

Here are some ideas on how to tap into the selfie craze to create some brand exposure for your company at your next trade show or event.

10 Ideas Using Promotional Products That Will Drive Traffic to Your Trade Show Booth

You have a big trade show coming up. You've invested a lot of time and resources and you really want the investment to pay off big with new leads and new sales from existing clients. However, that can only happen if you drive traffic into your trade show booth. You need their attention so you can showcase your products and services, as well as get the opportunity to explain your unique value. So what can you do to make sure your key clients and prospects come see you at your next trade show or conference?

Believe it or not, promotional products can play a huge role in driving traffic to your booth. But I’m not talking about having the latest and greatest freebies or giveaways, although that is proven to get people to stop by your booth. I’m talking about thinking creatively and using promotional products to support a trade show marketing campaign that puts your booth on the “Must See” list for attendees.

Over the past two years I have shared several ideas on how to use promotional products to create buzz and drive traffic to your trade show booth. Here are 10 of my favorites that will hopefully inspire you to think creatively in how you market your company to drive traffic to your trade show booth.

PRE-SHOW PROMOTIONAL IDEAS

1. See how a simple dot provides enough incentive to drive people to a trade show booth.

2. Mail your customers and prospects countdown timers before the show. Have them bring their timer to the trade show booth to win a prize.

3. Leave your customers and prospects wanting more by mailing them half of a promotional item. They’ll need to visit you at the show to get the other half.

GENERATING TRADE SHOW BOOTH BUZZ 

1. Offer this service and you will have a line of people waiting to get into your booth.

2. Read how one company charged up their trade show booth traffic and saw a huge ROI for their efforts.

3. While this is a not a new idea, this tried and true promotional offering is highly valued by show attendees.

4. Hosting a hospitality event at a trade show or conference? This is a fun way to boost your brand and get people networking.

5. Here’s a game that will get attendees going to find their friends and co-workers to bring them back to your trade show booth.

6. Challenge your visitors with a scavenger hunt that will have them visiting your booth multiple times.

7. Finally, score some big traffic by playing a golf-themed game in your trade show booth.

You can find a lot more of our ideas on our Trade Show Marketing board on Pinterest or give me a call at 847-398-5500 to brainstorm the perfect promotion to drive traffic and generate leads. Rather email? Shoot me a message at dona.blunt@newportpros.com.

Make 2015 the year that your trade shows really pay off.

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Photo Credit: <a href='http://www.123rf.com/profile_tixti'> / 123RF Stock Photo</a>

Recharge Your Trade Show Booth Traffic

Having trouble getting people to stop by your trade show booth?  Have you given people a reason to stop and step into the booth? Are you frustrated that attendees are too busy checking their messages on their phones to really pay attention to exhibitors at the show?

Don't get frustrated, work with it. Why not provide them with something of value to get them to stop by. What would happen if you provided a stopping point for people to hang out at your booth WHILE they checked their messages?

The recent 2014 Chicago Auto Show had such an area for attendees; providing re-charging for both body and electronic device.

Genius! Not only do you get people to come into your booth to recharge their phone but you'll get them to stop and linger to recharge their bodies. That's an opportunity for you since they will linger long enough to hear about your business value. Could you put something like this in your next trade show booth?

Don't think that this type of stop is for major shows only. You don't need to have a major structure built that takes up a lot of space in your booth like the station above. You can provide a similar Charging Stop with just a table, a power source, plus a chair or two.  The person stopping will not only be grateful to be able to continue to use their phone, but they will also be a captive audience for your booth presentation.

Another twist to build on this theme of recharging is to give your key clients or trade show visitors a branded portable power source that they can take with them. Once they have recharged their phones and heard your business pitch, hand them a power source to go. These Emergency Chargers store power after plugging them into a computer or other power source. Then use your phone charging cable to recharge your phone battery so you can keep using your phone when the phone's battery has lost power. Your clients will not only be grateful when they receive this useful item, but this is a promotional product they will hang on to. They will continue to be reminded of your company each time that they recharge their phone. Once you have used this type of item, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it!

For some pre-trade show marketing, send an email or direct mail blast to your VIP customers inviting them to come to your booth to recharge. By letting them know that they could get one of these valuable devices by visiting your booth, they will make stopping by your booth a priority.

If you are interested in a quote on these promotional Emergency Phone Power Chargers or want some additional ideas on how to draw more traffic to your trade show booth, give me a call at 847-398-5500. Or, shoot me an email at dona.blunt@newportpros.com.

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A Tried and True Idea to Drive Traffic to Your Trade Show Booth

Ever hear of the expression "what is old is new?" Sometimes new isn't always better when it comes to marketing ideas. In fact, we've seen that this expression applies to improving response at your trade show booth. Instead of always looking for something new and unique to draw people to your trade show booth, sometimes sticking with a classic idea that works is your best strategy.

Although not a new idea, the tried and true laminating machine could be a great addition to your trade show booth to get traffic. It's so simple yet it provides tremendous value to both you as a lead generation tool and to the attendee.

The way it works is that when a prospect comes to your booth you ask them for you two of their business cards. You insert one of their business cards into a clear plastic pouch which already includes a card created by you with your brand and business information. You then run the plastic pouch with both their card and your card through the laminating machine to turn it into a luggage tag. Their business card is shown on one side of the tag and your business information card is on the reverse side. But business travelers love it because it provides them with an easy to read luggage tag. 

What do you do with their second business card? The second card is retained by you, giving you their contact information to upload into your lead generation and sales management software. 

Although the lamination process only takes a minute or so, that time will give you a moment to talk to the prospect, allowing you to qualify them and to give your booth marketing speech. Both of you are receiving something of value; thus creating a win-win situation.

The laminating machine is affordable and it can be either purchased, if you attend a lot of trade shows it would be worth the investment or many conference management companies rent them for the duration of trade show.

The pouches for the luggage tags are inexpensive. You can make a luggage tag for a visitor for $0.50 each, which is a lot of value compared to the cost. After the show, the machine can create luggage tags for visitors to your facility or bring it to other networking or charity events. These tags are great for identifying luggage, briefcases, tote bags and back packs.

Trade Show Tip: If you are attending a large trade show where there will be a lot of traffic, you should consider designating a specific person to operate the machine in order to keep the lines moving and to encourage booth visitors.

I can help you purchase the laminating machine and customize your card to show on the back of the luggage tag so give me a call at 847-398-5500 or email me at dona.blunt@newportpros.com. I'm ready to help you generate more leads for your trade show investment.

Have you ever received a laminated luggage tag at a trade show? Do you still use it?

Boost Your Brand with this Trade Show Hospitality Event Networking Idea

Walking into a networking event at a trade show or conference is hard for a lot of people. A large room full of clusters of new people can be intimidating. So, here's a fun and inexpensive idea to make networking easier and more fun for conference or trade show attendees while creating tremendous goodwill for your brand.

Everyone has seen these name badge stickers "Hello, my name is ...", right? The intention is to break the intimidation factor and get conversations started on a first name basis with people you have yet to meet. Or, perhaps to refresh your memory of someone whose name you have forgotten.

But what about putting a twist on this old standby to help people break the ice even further by doing something like this?

Customize the name badge with an ice-breaking and attention-grabbing question! Which of the two will create a bigger interaction? Talking about movies would be a non-threatening, lively conversation starter. Or play a game at the event by asking people to circulate looking for someone else who chose the same movie. If you find a match, you can come up and win a prize. The attendees can then spend time discussing why they like the movie, which then leads to an opportunity to talk about their business and network.

You don't need to go with movies, though. Some other discussion topics might be "My First Job Was"; "My Favorite Ice Cream flavor Is"; "My Favorite Thing About This Company Is", "My Hobby Is," etc. The list is endless and is only limited by your imagination. Ask a question that relates to your industry even, like "Hello, I think the biggest trend for our industry in 2014 will be ..."

These name badges are a perfect low-cost vehicle for putting your company name and logo front and center as part of sponsoring a networking event. Imagine how many times your logo will be viewed! More importantly, by adding a fun twist to the event, you'll create some goodwill for your company brand.

Next time you are asked to sponsor an event, see if you can add in these name badge labels to the mix to build a favorable buzz about your company while livening up the event.

Want to get some started today? Give me a call at 847-398-5500 or email me at dona.blunt@newportpros.com.


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A Powerful Promotion to Create Trade Show Buzz

Want to create buzz at your next trade show that will not only get your more booth traffic but will have attendees bringing their friends back to your booth?  Here's a proven promotional idea that can work for you to get you that trade show booth traffic you want. It all starts with a wristband.

The Tabbed Wristband Promotional Trade Show Game

Here's how it works:

When a prospect comes into your booth, you scan their name badge and then give them a promotional wristband, like the one above. Then, rip off one of the numbered removable tabs to put into a drawing. Simple enough, right? But here's where the viral marketing or the buzz comes in - the attendee is told that if they would like to increase their chances of winning they should bring two additional people back to the booth. When they bring back another person, an additional tab (one for each new person that they bring) will be removed and entered into the drawing. Their friend will also receive a wristband and the whole process begins anew.

Here are some tips to make this promotion most successful for you.

Have a great prize.
This traffic building promotion is most effectively used with a desirable door prize, like an e-tablet, e-reader, noise cancelling headphones, or other coveted electronic device. We have plenty of ideas for you on what items people want to win most.

Must be present to win.
Tell people that they must be present at the time of drawing to win. That way people will be returning to your booth and you'll be able to briefly reintroduce your company before the winning number is pulled. Also, more people will wander over to see why there is a crowd in your booth.

Ron Williams, a trade show exhibitor from Minnesota, shared that this promotion worked incredibly well for his company.

"We told them our 30-45 second spiel and within seconds, they are gone looking for people. It allows visitors to do their own networking. Our booth traffic increased over 250%; our quotes increased 275%."

This is great way to leverage the power of the people by providing a strong incentive for your prospects to talk about your company and refer their friends back to your booth. A true example of customer engagement! So if you are looking for a viral marketing idea with a strong ROI, consider this tabbed wristband trade show promotion. It looks likes an innocuous vinyl wrist band but it has hidden powers. It has the power to attract prospects to your trade show booth, giving you an opportunity to share your story.

For more information about this buzz-worthty promotion or other trade show traffic builders, contact me at 847-398-5500 or at dona.blunt@newportpros.com.


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