Though in-person events are starting to come back, virtual events aren’t going anywhere. In fact, experts say that virtual tradeshows and conferences are here to stay. Whether as standalone online events or alongside physical, in-person experiences, virtual events are expected to remain a “thing” for years to come.
Virtual events were already gaining popularity before COVID-19 shut in-person happenings down, and the value of virtual events extends far beyond the pandemic. For exhibitors, virtual events are less costly and offer the opportunity to reach a much wider audience than the average in-person convention. However, they also present a unique set of challenges.
If you’ve been racking your brain trying to figure out how to get the most from your virtual booth, then we’ve got just the thing for you. Here are six advantageous tips for driving traffic to your booth and getting the most out of a virtual tradeshow like SAGE Show:
Take Advantage of Resources
When you sign up to exhibit at a virtual tradeshow, the show hosts will send you an information packet that includes everything you need to know about how to set up your booth, when to log in, etc. But did you know that they often also include a marketing toolkit? For SAGE Show, the exhibitor marketing toolkit includes pre-designed emails, social media posts, webpage banners, and more to help you advertise to your customers that you’ll be at the show.
By taking advantage of the free resources provided to you in the marketing toolkit, you can easily let your distributor clients know that they can visit and chat with you at SAGE Show. This is a great way to drive traffic to your booth and increase your return on investment! Share posts on social media in the weeks leading up to the show to build some buzz and include a banner on your website to encourage your customers to come see your booth. Blast out an email letting everyone know that you’ll be exhibiting and ask them to add your company to their walk list. With the marketing toolkit, all the hard work promoting the show is already halfway done for you – all you have to do is share!
Promo Codes, Baby!
Everybody loves a good promo code. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that you’ve probably been swayed to make a purchase just because of a good promo code recently! I know I have…
Offer attendees an exclusive promo code or show special that they can only get by visiting your booth for an easy way to drive both traffic to your booth and sales to your business. Something as simple as a percentage off or free samples can take someone from considering your business to placing an order with you. Be sure to promote your show-exclusive deal on your website and social media so your customers will visit your booth to take advantage of your promotion!
Stock that Booth
If you’re not filling out your virtual booth with materials like sales flyers, catalog links, your top products, and more, you’re leaving money on the table. Provide more value to your visitors by stocking your booth with valuable and timely booth materials! Make sure your thumbnails are enticing and well designed and be sure to give each link a catchy, clickable call to action. It might take a few more minutes to get everything set up, but think about it as a physical show – would you just toss all your brochures in a messy pile at an in-person tradeshow? That’s what we thought. So be sure to put just as much thought into the things that go into your virtual booth and take full advantage of all your booth material and product spots.
Show Off Your Latest & Greatest
SAGE Show is the only national tradeshow this fall, so distributors on the show floor are going to be looking for the latest and greatest for their fall selling season. Make sure that the products you’re showcasing are relevant and on-trend to impress attendees.
With supply chain issues affecting industries across the board, discerning distributors will be trying to get ahead on their holiday orders. Try showcasing your holiday bestsellers alongside your newest, hottest items to generate some buzz around your brand and bring more visitors into your booth.
Go Live!
New for this year’s SAGE Show, exhibitors will be able to host LIVE events right in their booths! Take advantage of this incredible new feature by hosting valuable live events that attendees won’t want to miss. From factory tours and product demos to live Q&As, these live events are a great way to get people talking about your booth.
Don’t leave this opportunity hanging by not spreading the news. Promote your live events on social media and in your booth so that customers and attendees know when to stop by!
Have a Plan
Just like at an in-person show, you don’t want to leave your booth empty. Before the first day of SAGE Show, touch base with your team and make sure you have a plan covering who will be in the booth and when, and don’t forget to account for lunches and breaks! Ensure that someone will be available in your booth during all hours the show floor is open to maximize your SAGE Show experience.
And there you have it! With these tips in your back pocket, you’re ready to pack your booth with visitors and maximize your return on investment at SAGE Show. To learn more about exhibiting at SAGE Show or to sign your company up, visit https://www.sageworld.com/sageshow/.
