4imprint Tips and Ideas for Trade Show Success

1) Monkey See, Monkey Do

Before the trade show even begins, think about sending a pre-show mailing to your clients and a list of attendees from last year's show. Invite your guests to schedule an appointment to visit with you at the show and share a cup of coffee (you can include the coffee or tea packet in your mailing).

These on-site appointments may turn into additional business. And having a few people already at your booth can encourage others to stop by as well.

Additionally, mailing tubes can enhance the look of your mail piece and help it stick out from the piles of letters received. Some tubes can be customized with designs, sounds or a personal message.

2) Attention, Attention!!

At the show, be sure your booth gets noticed. Dress it up with banners, table throws or literature racks.

When choosing colors for your booth, remember each color has a hidden meaning. Green = nature, red = excitement, yellow = optimism, black = authority, white = purity and blue = serenity.

3) Never Forget a Name

After your booth is outfitted, remember your staff, too. While you don't want the Stepford Wife effect, looking uniform and professional helps complete the picture of a well-run group. And also remember the lanyards, so clients are able to easily recognize your staff by their name and organization.

To get potential clients engaged in your booth, schedule informative speakers, PowerPoint presentations or hold interactive games to attract attention.

4) Reinforcing the Brand

You'll also want to reinforce your brand at the show. Handing out promotional products or holding a drawing for some nicer gifts can get your booth some extra attention (especially if you give out something that no one else has).

Try keeping those giveaway items inside your booth. This way prospective clients have to walk inside and not just grab something from the table as they pass by.

5) The Retro Look

For a retro giveaway, just look for the trucker caps. Yes, they are back in style. You can find them in the traditional mesh style or a slightly updated version.

6) Lots of New Ideas to Ponder

And be sure to remember the most popular item to hand out at trade shows - bags. Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) conducted a survey of trade show attendees and found that 22 percent of those surveyed received a bag at their respective trade show.

Stuff that bag full of information on your organization, so prospective clients don't go away empty handed. You can also fill that bag with a useful writing tool (like a pen) or a business card. One of the more popular business cards on 4imprint.com is the Seeded Paper Card. This card is environmentally friendly because you plant the seeds that are inside the card - it's a very different take on a traditional item.