The Keys to a Successful Trade Show: Customer Service
Advicertainment by M. Christine Delea
Taking care of business means taking care of your customers. Giving them your time and attention and always being courteous. It can all be done — or at least started — at trade shows. You want your customers to look at your booth and think that nobody does it better.
What’cha Gonna Do
Conventions and trade shows can be overwhelming and a bit frightening. There are a lot of people, an overwhelming amount of noise, too much recirculated air, and by mid-afternoon you cannot tell the diamonds from the rust. It can be tiring to the point that you start daydreaming about napping. But don’t get so far away that you neglect those who still have the energy to stop in at your booth.
So, how do you make the trade show experience valuable for customers and successful for you? What are you going to do?
First, your customers, as well as your colleagues, deserve your undivided attention. After a couple of days, attendees may be tired and possibly cranky. Same with you. But your smile and your eyes should say, they don’t know. Even if you end up listening to someone’s life story, keep your phone off and your smile on.
Don’t Stop
Second, take good notes when people talk to you, especially if you’re tired. Don’t stop at name, company, and title. Listen “between the lines,” and hear what they are saying about their business needs and wants. Those notes will help once you are back home, remembering the last time you saw him.
Don’t make people wait. No one should have to knock three times to get you to say, “How do you do?” Everyone should be greeted the second they appear at your display. And every gesture, no matter how small, deserves a hearty “Thank You!”
The Show Must Go On
Finally, here are some easy suggestions. Be sure to give your business card to everyone. Always post photos and observations on your company’s Facebook and corporate website. Tweet and pin as often as possible.And, take lots of pictures of your booth and your customers.
The show must go on, but you — and everyone you have contact with — will have a much better time if you have a frame of mind that puts attendees first.
Who knows, you may even go dancing in the moonlight to some Classic 1970s tunes. It’s all part of the super time you’ll have of participating in a trade show.
Posts in the Series:
- Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1950s
- Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1960s
- Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1970s
- Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1980s
- Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 1990s
- Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 2000s
- Trade Show Tips to the Beat of the 2010s
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Based in Portland, Oregon, Classic Exhibits Inc. designs and manufacturers portable, modular, and custom-hybrid exhibit solutions. Classic Exhibits products are represented by an extensive distributor network in North America and in select International markets. For more information, contact us at 866-652-2100 or www.classicexhibits.com.
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