21^st Century Marketing Strategies Using Technology

Technology is great and so much of it exists around us we’ve become blind to its constant presence. When it comes to the trade show floor, technology can help us improve ROI by several orders of magnitude, but here is where we also want technology to be “seen” and not just “used.”

A savvy operator will use technology as part of their sales pitch, a feature of their service which means that the customer benefits from faster responsivity, closer alignment of services and products to their needs and increased ROI through decreased costs and improved productivity.

The sales readers will already have picked up on the phrase I used, “A feature which means that…” – doesn’t that mean it’s a benefit – and benefits are what we are looking to use to sell, not features.

Top Technology Sales Tips

Barcode Scanners – many trade show venues are moving over to a barcode being attached to the id badge worn by a visitor. This will include the name and contact information for that visitor and all you need is the scanner to capture the data and a means of storing the data.  This means less time worrying about capturing a name and contact number with a prospect and more time to talk business with them, or see more prospects.

Social Media Engagement – it is de rigeur to have a constant stream of tweets put out on the day, but you should be making sure this is relevant and tied directly to your event schedule. This is especially true if you are speaking or holding presentations/demonstrations during the day, and you should be using social media to tell prospects what will happen, when and where it will happen, when it is happening and after you have concluded.

Basically, tell them what you are going to sell them, tell them what you are selling and then tell them what you’ve sold them. This is a great way to reinforce your sales message throughout the day and helps retention of you and your company after the event.

Digital Signage – audio-visual messages scattered throughout the venue are very effective. Within the trade this is known as “digital signage” and we are seeing more of this outside the trade show arena too. Basically it comprises of short presentations or ads for your company being either continuously looped or activated either automatically when a prospect’s presence is detected or by the prospect themselves.  Each monitor is an extra pre-sales team member, warming up prospects for your sales closers.

Audience Response Touch Screens – touch screens are a fantastic way to engage with your audience, whether individual prospects or in group situations, such as at a seminar. Frequently insert response prompts into your presentations and ask the prospect(s) questions in a multiple choice format or “yes/no” – this will provide you with both overall market feedback and individual response information which can be tied to a specific prospect depending on how sophisticated the system is you choose.

A digital banner stand could give your company the fresh edge needed to stand out from your competitors at your next trade show or convention.  There is always a battle to have the latest and newest tools to promote your company.  Sometimes keeping up with the advertising world can seem impossible, especially now that technology has allowed techniques to change so rapidly.  The costs associated in investing in the latest digital technologies used in convention marketing, can be very overwhelming for some small businesses.  It is well worth your investment in the long run to buy a digital banner stand but if it is simply out of your reach because of cost many companies offer the option to rent digital banner stands during trade show season.

One of the ways a digital banner stand can help pay for its self over time are the costs it will save you down the road.  Before digital banner stands became popular, companies were limited to printed signs.  While these types of signs are widely used, the digital banner stand allows you to bring a virtually unlimited number of signs and messages to any convention with just one device.

Another advantage of having a digital banner stand over a traditional stand is the movement and excitement a digital display can create.  Instead of a static image, you booth can broadcast images with audio and even video.  Imagine if your company could have a constant running loop of testimonials, commercials, and other positive visuals about your product running throughout the convention.  Most people will only glance at a sign on the way by but if you video or digital images are intriguing, they may stop long enough for you to engage them personally and this will raise your chances of educating them about your product or service.

Digital banner stands will also give you an edge over the competition and project a positive image about your commitment to your products.  In most markets, you want to be known as up and coming, or the next big thing.  Incorporating digital banner stands into your convention booth will show that you understand technology and are a company that is looking forward toward new ideas instead of clinging to ideas of the past.
There are no limits to the type of digital content you can display on your digital banner stand, so do not be afraid to use your creativity to create something that will truly help your company stand out.

Modular displays are the perfect trade show display units for any company who exhibits at a number of trade shows each year.  Trade shows and conventions are a gate way for any business.  They provide access to a nationwide and sometimes worldwide market.  During just a few days, your company’s products and services have the chance to be exposed to thousands of decision makers from around the world who are influential in your company’s market.  Many industries require that you attend several trade shows a year in order to meet with people in different regional markets.  Some company’s even have a division that is solely dedicated to running the company’s trade show booth and meeting with clients and several conventions every year.

No two convention centers are the same and chances are your booth placement and maybe even the size of your convention or trade show booth will be different at every event.  The flexibility to easily change the position of any of the elements in your modular display is just one of the main attributes that make it the perfect choice for a regular convention exhibitor.  For example, if you are lucky enough to register for a corner booth the layout of your display will be completely different than if you are in a middle booth or along the back wall of a convention space.  Also, different conventions have different rules and regulations about how high in the air a display can reach.  A modular display will lend your staff the flexibility to adjust your booth and optimize your spaces effectiveness.

Traveling from show to show can be costly.  A modular display is both durable and easy to transport.  The materials used to create most modular displays are high quality and very light so they can be easily packed and transported.  Also, because modular units can be disassembled and the pieces packed and shipped separately, modular displays make it easier to avoid excess shipping charges for overweight packages.
The look of a modular display can be easily customized to fit you company’s style.  The color options available for modular displays make it easy to work with images and branding you have already developed for your trade show exhibit.  If your product is rapidly changing you may want to keep your booths color scheme neutral and add custom signage to your booth with free standing signage.  If you have well established brand and your imaging is not likely to change, it is easy to customize your modular displays with a company logo or other art work.

People put products on the market every day. People fail every day too. Consumers are overwhelmed with blinkies and emails and popups that tell them to buy this or buy that. Without the proper product launch, without a substantial amount of buzz and attention for the product launch, your product will be lost in the 3,456 page of a Google search. There are three basic steps to generating buzz around a product and taking those steps can send your product launch into the stratosphere.

Step one: Get in touch with your social media side. If you aren’t already on Twitter or Facebook then get there. Set up an account on YouTube. Start sending out messages about the “product you are developing” like little teasers. Maybe even ask others for input on what they think your product should include, or do, or offer. People love feeling involved. Society is stimulated by a variety of forms of media so don’t be afraid to create a simple YouTube video talking about your product or maybe just an audio podcast.

Step two: Now that you’ve teased about your product, let someone have it. Put your product in the hands of a few people. Bloggers are a great source of buzz. Find a blogger whose readers are in your target audience and offer them a free product for honest review and one to giveaway. Entry into blog contests like this often require readers to visit your company site and come back to comment on the blog about something they like or something they read. It also generates additional tweets and posts on Facebook all linking to your product. When the giveaways are over you will have several “social proofs” (testimonials) to use in your actual product launch. You’ve also generated anticipation since they were offering out a product not yet available.

Step three: Simple economics. If you can’t limit the quantity being offered up front then limit the time frame that it’s being offered at a “deal”. People can’t stand it when it’s scarce. They jump to make sure they don’t miss out.

Get your product into the social media streams, generate positive feedback with a few freebies for review and then make them think there is a limit to the availability. These are the three keys to generating buzz for your product launch.

Monster Displays Provides Creative Trade Show Ideas

Customer Sales & Support: (888) 323-6995

Trade show table top covers are the ideal way to give a touch of class to your tradeshow space. These products are intended to cover over regular display tables. They are suitable for many applications at tradeshows. But wherever you do end up using them, they are sure to make your space look nicer.

Trade show table top covers are useful because they help to make the tables at your tradeshow look better. As you probably know, usually the tables that the facility gives you are old, chipped and unattractive. A nice table top cover, or table throw, is a fine and inexpensive way to make that old table look like new.

Stand Out With a Tabletop Display

Most reputable tradeshow equipment suppliers will have such table covers on sale at a reasonable price. Typically, you can purchase these table throws in many styles, sizes and colors. Also, many companies will sell you convertible trade show table top covers. These are also sometimes called wholesale table throws.

They are made so that you can fit them over many types of table. This saves you a lot of headaches. Imagine that you show up at the tradeshow, and you find out that the size of the table you were promised is not available. If you only have one size of table throw, you could have a real problem on your hands.

Creative Tabletop Displays

Convertible table throws can often be transformed from a 6’ throw to an 8’ throw in just a few seconds. This is also a very cost-effective way to go. You do not need to buy several sizes of table top covers. One size really can fit all. Most of these convertible throws have Velcro so that you can adjust the product to fit a variety of tables. Convertible table throws are also a good choice if you do tradeshows and also regular business events or presentations. You can also use one of these multiple size throws for a smaller table at your small business meeting.

Another nice thing about a nice trade show table top cover is that it gives your table a very neat appearance, while allowing you to use the space underneath for storage.

These throws typically are machine washable and dryable for easy care, and most of them are flame-retardant and should have a testing certificate from an independent lab.

In summary, a trade show table top cover is a really flexible and affordable way to dress up the appearance of your trade show space.

Monster Displays Customer Sales & Support: (888) 323-6995