Pre and Post Trade Show Strategy

Utilizing the phone can be a powerful tool in both your pre- and post-trade show strategy. Here are some effective ways to leverage phone calls for success:

Pre-Show:

Targeted outreach: Research potential leads attending the show and make personalized phone calls introducing yourself, your company, and the value you offer. This helps build relationships and generate pre-show interest.

Meeting scheduling: Once you make contact, use the phone to schedule in-person meetings at your booth during the show. This ensures dedicated time with key prospects and maximizes your booth traffic.

**Exhibitor ** If the show organizers provide exhibitor contact lists, use them to reach out to fellow exhibitors before the show. Introduce yourself, explore potential partnerships, and discuss cross-promotional opportunities.

Social media engagement: Encourage social media interaction by promoting a dedicated phone number or call-to-action in your pre-show posts. Ask attendees to call in for a chance to win prizes, schedule appointments, or receive exclusive show offers.

Post-Show:

**Lead ** Don’t let your leads go cold! Phone calls are a great way to follow up on promising leads generated at the show. Connect with them while their interest is still fresh, answer any questions, and schedule follow-up meetings.

Thank you calls: Show your appreciation to attendees who visited your booth or scheduled meetings. A quick phone call thanking them for their time and reiterating the value you offer can leave a lasting positive impression.

Feedback gathering: Use phone calls to gather valuable feedback from attendees about your booth presentation, products, and overall experience. This feedback can help you improve your future trade show performance.

Event debrief: Conduct internal phone calls with your team to discuss the show’s successes and challenges. Analyze call data to identify trends, measure the effectiveness of your phone-based strategies, and plan for future events.

Additional Tips:

Train your team: Ensure your team members are comfortable and confident using the phone for pre- and post-show outreach. Train them on effective communication techniques, call scripts, and handling objections.

Segment your calls: Don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Tailor your phone messages to different audience segments, such as high-priority leads, new contacts, and existing customers.

Track your results: Keep track of how many calls you make, appointments scheduled, and leads generated through phone outreach. This data will help you measure the effectiveness of your strategy and make adjustments as needed.

By strategically utilizing the phone before and after a trade show, you can build relationships, generate leads, and maximize your event ROI. Remember, the key is to be personalized, professional, and offer value to your callers