Trade Show Marketing Tips & Cost-Savings Ideas

Xylea Wood Affordable DIY Slatwall Displays

Trade Show Tips for Marketing Your Trade Show Display, Saving Money, & More!

Planning your trade show display can be stressful and overwhelming, but it’s also a way for you to express your creativity, resourcefullness, and thriftiness. Check out the following tips for marketing your trade show display, making an impact, and cost savings tips for creating your banner and display.

Create a DIY Banner.

From free apps including Spark Adobe and Canva to premium programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator that you can pay for monthly, there’s really no reason to need to hire a graphic designer. You can simply create your banner by uploading your logo and text into a user-friendly app such as Canva and get it printed at your local Staples or through Vista Print.

Save Money on Assembly with DIY Trade Show Displays

For showcasing products at your trade show, you’ll save money on your trade show display by using affordable lightweight slatwall for merchandising.

By using a DIY Custom Exhibit System such as Xylea-Wood Slatwall, you can assemble your booth display yourself quickly, with virtually no tools required, and you’ll save mony on on site labor fees, union fees, drayage fees, and on shipping costs.

Check out this quick video on assembling Xylea-Wood Exhibits. They are super quick and easy to assemble and high quality, offering an affordable trade show display solution for making an impact and standing out from the crowd. They are also strong and study and will stand up to trade show traffic.

Free Standing Kiosks

Perfect for any business, free standing kiosks are an excellent option for merchandising in tight spaces. By choosing a lightweight slatwall option such as Xylea Wood Free Standing Kiosks, set-up is fast and easy and you can dismantle and ship in minutes. Xylea Slatwall Kiosks are versatile and affordable, making them the perfect visual merchandising solution for smaller spaces.

Now that you’ve got your trade show display or kiosk lined up, it’s time to talk marketing!

Promote Your Booth in an Email Blast.

If you’re vending locally where your customers are nearby, send out an email to invite them to come out to visit your booth.

Promote Your Booth on Social Media.

Use social media to let your customers know that you are participating in a trade show and invite them to stop by and visit your booth.

Send out a Press Release.

Research your local media or industry trade journals relevant to your business and craft a press release announcing your event and invite them to stop by your booth. Be sure to ask for media/blogger list from trade show organizers and reach out to them as well. You may be able to garner some press and also meet influential bloggers to do a product review.

Stay tuned for our next blog post where we’ll be diving deeper into media relations and influencer marketing tips.

Take Pictures & Video

Taking photos and video as time permits and then post on your social media platforms during the event and after. Facebook live is a great fun tool for broadcasting from the trade show. It’s a great way to create momentum and to drive traffic to your booth. Be sure to mention your giveaways, booth number, and any contests you have.

Have Plenty of Giveaways.

Be sure to bring trade show giveaways, items relevant to your business such as branded gourmet salts for a spice business, or business cards, brochures, pens, magnets, and anything else that has your company name, brand, and/or logo on it. Bring plenty and have back up items to give away if you have a bigger turnout than you expected.

Most people who attend trade shows are expecting to take home some goodies. And be sure to use display racks for showing your flyers, specials, brochures, and fact sheets.

Treats & Goodies are a Crowd Pleaser!

Offer something a little different as a trade show giveaway FOOD.If you can, package your food in a way that will allow you to have your company contact information on it.

Offer Gift Certificates.

Offer Gift Certificates for some of your services as a trade show giveaway. There’s nothing better than getting a deal, and when they ‘cash in’ their gift certificate, they will see how valuable your services are and will come back for more.

Lead Capture – Have a Drawing for a Prize

Plan a drawing for a prize as a way to capture leads. Offer a prize that in some way complements your business if possible, and appeals to anyone. Have visitors and entrants sign a guestbook, fill in a ticket, or drop their business cards into a fish bowl or gift bag. The great thing about this trade show giveaway is that you can then use this lead capture information at a later date to make a follow-up contact.

Brag A Little… Show Off Your Work

Have a portfolio of your work available as part of your trade show display. Print off some of your best projects, put them into plastic sheet protectors, and arrange them in a binder. Then lay out the binder where visitors can flip through the pages. Not only will you be showing off your best work, you’ll be giving them ideas on how you can help them!

Bring Back-Up Staff

If the trade show runs for an extended length of time, be sure to bring an assistant so you can take a break and have assistance in manning your trade show booth. If you don’t have the option of having someone take over for a bit, be sure to put up a note that tells people how long you will be gone or when you will be back.

Smiles are FREE!

Most importantly, be friendly and inviting. Say hello to those that turn and look toward you or your trade show booth. Strike up a conversation and be sure to have your elevator speech ready. Just make sure you’re sincere and you don’t sound robotic. And have fun!

Are you looking for affordable, easy to assemble trade show display solutions for merchandising at your next convention?

If you’re looking for lightweight merchandising solutions for your trade show display, Xylea-Wood can help! We can help you plan your booth design, offer suggestions on customizing to meet your needs, and even calculate your expected shipping costs! Request a FREE Consultation & Quote online or give us a cal at (909) 860-2695.