It’s conference season again! Many of the country’s biggest and brightest hit the road this time of year to market themselves and make a splash in their respective industries. Whether you’re showing at the Orlando World Conference or MobileCon 2012 there are a few steps you can take to make sure your brand stays above the fray…
1. Give Stuff Away
The number one rule of successful conference-marketers is to never show up empty handed. Half the fun in walking around a windowless hotel ballroom all day is the free business swag! Whether you’re printing up some branded pens or you’ve got the extra marketing budget to hand out T-shirts the more you give away the more visitors you’ll have. Just make sure you ask attendees to sign up for your mailing list before you give them the loot.
2. Give GOOD Stuff Away
Unfortunately it’s just not enough to simply hand out Jolly Ranchers or stress balls anymore. The more useful your promotional item the longer the marketing impression will last and, bonus, if you give your potential clients something they actually want they’ll subliminally associate your product with MEANINGFULNESS. Items like custom cotton tote-bags make a great takeaway. In fact, when your giveaway itself is a bag the attendees will use it to store the junk they won’t really need. You’ll get free advertising all conference long.
3. Put on a Show
Sure people love free stuff but what if you also show them what your product can do? Consider live demonstrations on the half-hour or perhaps you’ve got the money to hire a notable motivational speaker or celebrity for a live-endorsement? It’s important to stock your station with branded promotional bags and business literature but the more live-action you can provide the more engaged your target audience will be.
4. Be Everywhere
It doesn’t take much to set up a booth, just a few hundred bucks and a couple of cubicle walls. The trick of standing out is to be everywhere at the conference (and while you’re at it, hit up multiple conferences for double or triple the effect!) Sponsor one of the event’s cocktail hours and giveaway products via the hotels. At the very least be the first booth in and the last one down every night so attendees will walk away with your brand in their mind.
If you’re planning on marketing your product at a conference this fall contact The Bag Ladies now to simply and easily print your customized promotional bags. They’re a must for business tradeshows and conferences and one of the most cost-effective marketing methods around.
