Tradeshows and conventions are experiences from your past when you were starting out in your field and wanted to make a name for yourself. It probably was 15 years ago when you went to your last trade show but now that you own your own business, it’s time to count them in as one way to meet colleagues and grow your business.
You’re now a one person business and your first thought was: who has time for this nonsense? Bad question. Better answer – you need to make time for this part of your business – getting your name out there. This is your in person Face Book. This is the place where you can learn from others. This is the place where you can help others.
Some of the events on the agenda will be called social. Don’t kid yourself; this is all about business. And you do need to work.
If you’ve ever staffed a booth at a conference or convention you know it’s work. Ladies – no heels. You’ll be standing up in those booths and walking the conference aisles. Meeting colleagues is actually the most important part of the convention. Getting their trust and enabling you to meet some of them and know they are good resources makes the time spent at the convention well worth while.
One of the keys to having a convention work for you is planning ahead. First, just figuring out how you’re going to meet all the people who are working the booths may be overwhelming when you first arrive. You also want to know the other things scheduled for the day. Look for a bulletin board or check your email. You may be attending 4 or 5 events for the day. That means you’ll need an assistant to take charge of the booth when you’re gone. Or you could be one who leaves the booth empty providing you don’t have something not taken.
Regardless of your role in the event, attendee or working the booth, planning for the trip is important. In your plans, figure out how you’re going to do follow – up.
Your first step to prepare for a day at a trade show is to make sure everything at your home office is covered – whether it’s automatic response to your email or making sure the dog gets fed.
More on how to work a trade show or convention in my next post.
Ruthan
Ruthan Brodsky
Copy writer
Freelance health writer
Freelance business writer
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