(photo credit: TARA Photography)
When you own a business that targets pregnant women and new moms, a baby expo is the perfect place to find new customers. However, if you’ve never been part of a tradeshow before, Here are a few tips to make your event more successful.
#1. Keep it simple! It’s tempting to print hundreds of handouts on every aspect of your, for example, doula practice – from what a doula is to evidenced based birth facts. However, women will be strolling by your booth and you have about 20 seconds to catch their attention. Keep your area simple and clean, not so over-stimulating that they just keep walking. Print a simple postcard with highlights of your services and your contact info instead.
#2. Be Proactive and Open – If you are sitting in the back of your booth checking your phone, you are not approachable. Stand up. Smile. Be the first to speak. If you know you can’t stand all day, bring a stool. Don’t sit in a low chair since nearly everyone you will be speaking to will be standing as they walk around the show. Stay at their eye level.
#3 Focus on building ongoing relationships as much as, if not more than, instant sales. Again, you may only have 20 seconds – that’s not long enough to sell a big- ticket item. But it might be long enough to gain a potential customer’s coveted email address. Lead with, “Would you like to enter my raffle to win a free maternity photo shoot?” While they are filling out your entry form, you can tell them how awesome you are and what sets you apart from other similar businesses. This might give them time enough to think of a question and then you have a conversation going with a valuable customer.
#4 Acknowledge that their contact info is valuable. After they enter your raffle and sign up for your newsletter, hand them a 20% off coupon that they can use at your boutique/website another day.
(photo credit: TARA Photography)
#5 Self care – Leave the high heels at home. Remember that you will be standing and talking for a long time. Wear comfortable shoes. Drink water. Pack mints and cough drops. Maintain your energy levels – schedule someone to cover your booth so you can take a proper lunch break. Bring healthy snacks with you as well.
#6 Practice your Elevator Pitch – Before the Expo even starts, polish your elevator pitch. Describe your services in a succinct and exciting way. Again, you only have a short time to make a good impression.
#7 It’s not you, it’s them – Yes, you are excited to promote your business, but also please acknowledge your prospective customers by congratulating them on their pregnancy (if it’s obvious!), complimenting them on their cute baby and/or asking them how they are doing. This can go along way in starting a conversation.
#8 Don’t miss this opportunity to network with the other vendors at the Expo – Another great way to build your business is by connecting with the other people who are also exhibitingat the show. Use this as a chance to build your referral network.
Ready to connect with hundreds of Seacoast area women at the Seacoast Mom and Baby Expo? Contact us at seacoastbabyexpo @ gmail.com for exhibitor information.