Trade show is still an effective mean of marketing for the buyers and sellers. It is an exhibition that brings together companies to demonstrate and show off their new products/services to the people or other businesses of the industry. The trade associations of every industry sponsor trade shows to create buzz and excitement. They collaborate with individuals and businesses to view the upcoming trends.
The trade shows hold special importance in the packaging sector. Custom box packaging has become an integral part of every business. So a trade show enables the companies to display their packaging products. Different custom printed & packaging companies take part in it. It is not open to the general public. Rather it’s an exclusive event attended by the representatives and top professionals of a specific industry that the trade show focuses on.
Here we will focus more on the packaging sector. The attendees are granted access to know about the latest technologies, market trends, new features to design product boxes, pricing, and other valuable insights regarding the industry. Box manufacturers Chicago, on the other hand, exhibit a variety of new products or services, giving valuable time to build relationships, create their brand awareness, engage the press, put on leads, and close the deals.
A Successful Trade Show Marketing Starts With a Good Plan
Whether you decide to go to a trade show, never go unprepared. A successful trade show marketing strategy requires pre-, during and post-event planning. A good plan can create a wonderful brand experience for the attendees. This helps in increasing its demand and connects more effectively with the buyers. As a result, your event can be a big success.
Be Concise with Your Booth Messaging
People expect to get a lot of information as they walk into your booth. From your sentence or two, they decide whether they will stay or move ahead. As there will be a group of competitors around, so always emphasize on what can make you stand out from the competition. For example, if you and several other packaging companies have taken apart in a trade show, try to highlight the products which make you different.
Instead of displaying those traditional packaging cardboard boxes, attract the customers by showing more customized solutions. If an attendee has a shipping business, display him with a large variety of customized shipping boxes. Briefly explain the steps to make shipping boxes more customized. Similarly, if a businessman needs packaging for his food business; make him show a branded custom size box or restaurant to go boxes to meet their packaging needs. Resonating with the target customers in this way can give a good indication of your products/services.
Keep Marketing Materials Short and Comprehensible
Do not hand over your clients with a massive folder of information. Keep your marketing material precise and easy to understand. You can share a small business card with your attendees. Print it with important details. For example, if you own a cardboard packaging boxes wholesale business, mention in one or two lines about your specialty products. State what type of custom small boxes you offer to meet customer requirements and market trends. This to-the-point conversation can be a good start to build long-term relationships.
Invest in Memorable Giveaways
Giveaways seem like an obvious inclusion when it comes to marketing of your trade show. But the items should be chosen with great care. Stickers, key chains, and pens, etc are some of the underwhelming promotional items which end up in the garbage. Always be relevant to your industry to give away something useful. For example, if different packaging companies have participated in the tradeshow, attract your attendees by offering a well-designed custom printed box providing a great unboxing experience. Place different types of filler packaging like inserts, tissue wrap, air pillows, and colorful packing peanuts inside to provide a great display. Such marketing boxes packaging is perfect enough to make the participants remember your brand.
Know Your Stuff
Who is going to represent your company in the first line is critical. Don’t staff your booth with someone who is not aware of your products/services thoroughly. People judge your business by the quality of your event representatives. Therefore, position the one who can give confident answers to the attendees. For example, if anyone asks about the variety of shipping supplies you offer, the individual should immediately update him with the features of corrugated shipping boxes wholesale or carton boxes you offer.
Send Emails Before, During and After the Trade Show
Never forget to engage with the attendees via email. Text-based emails work the most whereas the one highly-formatted and loaded with dense images can look ugly or likely not get read. As someone will receive dozens of emails from trade show vendors so it is important that it can be viewed on a smartphone. Keep the material informative and precise to update the customers about the customized cardboard boxes you offer.