The Vendor Sender

12 Days Of Gifts: GIFT ONE is going to knock your stockings off...

2011-12-02T10:09:00.001-08:00

Extravagant Gift...

Today's gift is going to knock your stockings off...

Celebrity Overnight Training ($297 value)

This 3-part audio training (4.5 hours) by Celebrity Consultant, Ingrid Elfver, will make you more of a "Celebrity" in your industry. That doesn't mean paparazzi will be chasing you. It means you'll be able to accomplish more with less effort, and live your BIG vision and mission.

Imagine...

* Everyone knows who you are and what you do
* No one questions your authority or ability to deliver
* You have raving fans willing to do (and pay) almost anything to get what you have to offer
* You're able to make a great difference in the world

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, it doesn't matter what industry or niche you're in. This training will help you:

* Increase your "X-Factor"
* Get more exposure
* Increase your income

Click here to get yours FREE right now...

Rave Review...

"About two years ago I was making a 6-figure income as a hypnotherapist... then fate took me to New York with my true love, and I decided that I was going to start my business over (I didn't realize how hard it was going to be). I was really struggling for almost a year... just barely making the rent... getting deeper into debt. Now I'm making 6 figures again. I don't see private clients all the time anymore. And I've built my online business so I now have passive income. I can go out and enjoy the day and celebrate life now, without being tied to an office or my computer. I actually have financial freedom... and my income keeps growing every month. If it wasn't for Ingrid, I'd still be trying to figure out how to get my business on track.

It's hard sometimes to see how you're tripping yourself up. Ingrid has helped me with the external, tactical business skills that I need... but she's also helped me with my mindset (helped me see myself as a celebrity and stay focused on success). Because of Ingrid I'm doing what I love, reaching more people, keeping better boundaries with my clients, demanding higher fees, and people are buying my book! If you need someone to get you going, get you organized, and give you the income that you deserve, follow Ingrid's advice and you will be successful. My life is completely different that it was a year ago."

- Debi Berndt, Love Expert and author
of "Let Love In" (Wiley 2010)
www.SexyTrueLove.com

Tasty Tidbit...

My name is Ingrid Elfver and I was born in Sweden, but I "grew up" in Beverly Hills, CA. In fact, my first neighbors were the actor Burt Reynolds (on one side) and singer Rod Stewart (on the other side). Both of them were super famous and in their prime at the time. So I know a little bit about celebrities. They've been my neighbors, my clients, and my friends. But...

Although I've met lots of BIG stars, I only consider a small number of them to be REAL celebrities. To me, being a real celebrity isn't just about being rich and famous... it's also about having class and staying real, honest, and humble. In my eyes, a real celebrity also tries to make a positive difference in the world.

I want you to challenge you to be more of a star in your life and business. Why not be larger than life? Why not bring more parts of your personality and personal life into your work? What kind of new energy and magnetism could you create if you started thinking of yourself as more of a celebrity?

It's not enough to be simply authentic in today's noisy, fast-paced world. If you want to stand out and build a bigger following of loyal clients, repeat customers, and raving fans... you have to dare to be more YOU. In other words, you have to bolder, more confident, and more memorable. The world wants what you have to offer... but they want ALL of you!

About Ingrid Elfver

Ingrid Elfver is a Celebrity Consultant and Founder of Born Celebrity™ helping entrepreneurs around the world become more of a celebrity in their niche, business, or industry.

Some of the stars Ingrid has met and/or had as neighbors, clients, and friends include: Olivia Newton-John, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mickey Rourke, Julie Andrews, Demi Moore, Dan Akroyd. Michael Bay, Heather Locklear, Sylvester Stallone, Don Johnson, Jon Voight, Bruce Willis, Rosanne Barr, Tom Arnold, Princess Stephanie of Monaco, Burt Reynolds, Rod Stewart, Charlie Sheen, Hugh Hefner, and many more.

According to Ingrid, everyone's a celebrity... and being a "true" celebrity isn't just about being rich and famous. It's about being authentic, loving yourself and your life, and doing all you can to make a positive difference in the world. Ingrid's clients are drawn to her authenticity, her fierce belief in them, her ability to make people at every level achieve more, her sometimes-scary ability to see their gifts (as well as the negative patterns and blocks holding them back), and her pure heart (Ingrid's an ordained bishop who's spent thousands of hours in silence and meditation, and she's viewed by many as a "spiritual guru").

Ingrid is also a reluctant Social Media expert. Years ago, when she couldn't find a simple system that would allow people to become a "Social Media Superstar" she created one. Ingrid's Social Media Conversion System is the only proven system guaranteed to help entrepreneurs get tens of thousands of followers on social media, and convert a lot of them into paying customers. Learn more about Ingrid at http://BornCelebrity.com or call 800-246-0106.

VIEW ENTIRE NEWSLETTER HERE!

*A Note From Rebekah: In the spirit of The Season Of Giving - I have decided to create a special series of messages JUST FOR YOU consisting purely of GIFTS that I know you will enjoy. I have asked some of my most-respected colleagues to GIVE you their very best stuff. Stuff that anywhere else you might pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to enjoy, that YOU are going to be receiving "on the house". I am calling it "12 Days Of Gifts".

Over the next 12 days you will get at least one fabulous gift from me each day. All you have to do is open - and enjoy. It will be like getting to open a different package every morning! Each gift is guaranteed to contain tremendous value, so I hope you will take advantage of each and every one. And at the end I'll give you an exclusive sneak peek at all the great things we're launching for you on January 1, 2012 - TWO WEEKS before anyone else gets to see them! ENJOY - and Merry Christmas!

Vendor Call - Business Showcase Opportunities

2011-08-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

The Connector / Get Connected 365 / 303Network

VENDORS WANTED:

SHOP & ROCK

DATE: 08/20/2011

TIME: 11am - 6pm (set up 9:30am)

LOCATION: BUFFALO ROSE

CONTACT: Rachael Waggoner at shopnrockboutique@gmail.com or 719-439-8612.

Annual event - FR|EE to the public, over $500 in door prizes to be given away, guests receive one fr'ee drink AND a $5 burger, fries, and pint. Past events have had 400 - 500 through the door! APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH 08/17/11! No late registrations allowed.

SHOWCASE YOUR BIZ!

303Network HAPPY HOUR

DATE: 08/25/2011

TIME: 5:30pm - 7:30pm

LOCATION: Fogo De Chao

REGISTER ONLINE:

http://aug303networkhappyhour.eventbrite.com/

Showcase your product or service to 150 - 250 serious business professionals. Guest list, valet parking, and appetizers provided. Enter discount code " 303Network " when you register for your showcase online to save $49 off of showcase fee!

Join Our Mailing List!

The Connector / Get Connected 365 / 303Network

7475 W. 5th Avenue

Lakewood, Colorado 80226

720.254.1796

Rachael Waggoner's SHOP & ROCK!

2011-08-10T15:40:00.001-07:00

SHOP AND ROCK! Golden, CO at The Buffalo Rose

11 AM to 6PM - COME SUPPORT YOUR FELLOW DYNAMIC WOMEN!

FREE EVENT - Same day as The Golden Arts Festival

Sick of shopping malls and McSalespeople?
SO ARE WE! So we're bringing together COOL local businesses at a HOT local venue where you can have a drink while you shop!

OVER $500 IN DOOR PRIZES WILL BE GIVEN AWAY! WIN A $50 VISA CARD!
REGISTER NOW at shopnrockboutique@gmail.com and get a FREE wine, well, or draft... + $5 Burger, fries, and pint!!!

VENDORS WELCOME - contact Rachael Waggoner at shopnrockboutique@gmail.com to get your business featured! Up to 500 people through the door at past events!

Trade Show Marketing Tips

2009-02-16T07:16:00.001-08:00

Short Changing Your Trade Show ROI by NOT Planning

2008-10-09T16:13:00.001-07:00

It seems to be a fact of life - we are poor planners.

And it is surprising, especially when we talk about planning for various marketing activities which have high price tags.

Trade shows have proven to be an effective tool for marketing.

Still, there are far too many exhibitors who rush into the activity, throw money at it, and then leave wondering where their money went?

What was all that fuss and expense for?

Why is this happening?

Is it because companies don't know how to plan for the best way to spend marketing dollars? Are they too caught up in negotiating the ups and downs of other marketing activities?

Is it the culture of the organization to always be rushing about and entering into all and sundry activities?

"Exhibitors know how to plan ,but they are so overloaded with their many projects; they just do not take the time to plan. It is sad to see, but it is what it is." Bob Dallmeyer, RD International

One thing is for sure. Poor planning can be costly in time, human effort and most importantly dollars.

Cynthia Stine, President of Promote Success PR, say that some of her clients are use to "casting a net at a trade show and coming home with some fish. But if they were to do planning the catch could be twice, maybe triple the amount!"

Dedicated time and proper planning must to be devoted to trade show activities for maximum success. Cynthia urges companies to spend at least two months planning before a show and several weeks after a show to get the maximum benefit from it.

The planning process is part of the marketing function and is comprised of multiple tasks and responsibilities leading up to the event. This include planning your booth space, graphics, booth personnel, communications, media exposure, white papers, lead criteria sheets, and on and on. You've got to rehearse.

This kind of investment of time, human recourse, and material means that last minute planning for trade shows has to stop!

So how does one go about that within their organization? Take the first step and start holding meetings about the upcoming trade show effort. Make sure these meetings are power packed with information and then action items, so that the entire team is well versed in what will take place at the show.

* Step 1 - go over the last trade show facts and figures to assess what was great about it, as well as where there were areas that could use improvement?

* Step 2 - outline what will take place at this show and how it can be different from the last experience. What are the major reasons for this show? Do you have all parties involved in the planning process?

* Step 3 - assign team members various tasks concerning the show activity. One might be responsible for the booth design, graphics, etc. while another for the communications strategy involving customers and prospects. For each aspect of the show tasks, a person should be assigned to that task and held accountable.

* Step 4 - map out all the tasks and personnel responsible, so that the entire team can see where they fit into the whole. Apply peer pressure for the team to fulfill their roles.

It is vital that the sales team be involved in the planning process. Upfront team member involvement means a greater likelihood that appropriate action will be taken when post-show leads are turned over after the show. They should have input on what information is captured on the lead forms - then they know they have the correct information to act on all the leads captured at the show.

There is a saying I use to remind myself: ONE hour of planning saves THREE hours of execution.

I don't know about you, but I can use all those saved hours for more productive endeavors.

Joyce McKee is a 25 year veteran of the trade show and event world. Her new site provides resources for companies to get the maximum benefit from events and trade shows. To keep up with all the latest trends check out http://www.letstalktradeshows.com

How to Create a Trade Show Promotional Plan

2008-08-29T09:25:00.000-07:00

When operating a booth in a trade show, it is very important to have a promotional plan in place. Without one, the promotional aspect of the business can be complete and utter chaos. That is certainly something you don't want. You want a plan where everything is organized because nothing works without some kind of order. That is why there are processes to virtually everything and trade shows are definitely not an exception. There is a process to setting up the booth and there needs to be one for promoting the booth as well, so a promotional plan must be put in place.

Promotion is the biggest part of your marketing. You have to promote your booth before the show, at the show, and even after the show. So many trade show exhibitors do not have a solid plan in place that takes care of all three of these areas. The reason is because of the budget. Some believe that they cannot do such promotion on their budget. It is true that money will decide how much promotion can take place, but the budget can serve has a good guide as to what can be done and how much of it can be done. A little is definitely better than none at all. One sale can be the difference between making money and not making money, so every little bit helps.

When creating your promotional plan, it is a good idea to have a theme in mind that can be remembered by those you are promoting to. This should become a significant part of your promotional plan. You want to determine who it is you need to target and you may even want to consider having different approaches for the different types of people you are aiming for. You want to do such things as broadcast faxes, direct mail, PR sponsorship, advertising, and utilize the internet as much as possible. Of course how much of this you do depends on your budget, but try to touch each area at least a little bit so that you can get the word out in many different areas.

When using such methods as direct mail, you want to make your mailing stand out from the rest that ends up in the mailboxes of potential customers. You don't want them to glance at it and automatically think, "Junk mail." This means your money is going to go straight to the trash. Also, in any of your marketing approaches, you want to provide your prospective customers with an incentive to check out your business. Everyone has busy lives and sometimes an incentive is the only thing that is going to bring them to you. You also want to highlight what is new in your business because people take an interest in things that are new versus the old. People are always eager to learn about those things that are new, so be sure to provide them with the information they crave.

Also, sending press releases into local newspapers is a great way to get exposure. Public relations are very cost-effective and are very successful when generating sales and inquiries. That is why you want to send catchy and newsworthy press releases to the local papers that focus on what is new with your business such as a new product.

Another part of your promotional plan should be to have everyone trained and ready to communicate with anyone and everyone that walks up to the booth. This means customers, press, and whoever else shows up. By having your people prepared, promotion can be consistent, organized, and successful.

A Canadian trade show display and display stand manufacturer, as well as an authorized online dealer for only the highest quality portable display systems. Offering portable banners stands, table top displays and exhibit booths.

Know Your Show, Know Your Market

2008-06-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

events are held in every major city, numerous times each year. Massive industry marketing campaigns are waged to entice new prospects to come view what is new for the next season. If you have never been to a major industry trade show, it is worth the price of admission to see some of the truly interesting products the vendors are marketing to their customers. Trade shows are also the best face-to-face marketing tool at your disposal.

Trade shows largely attract decision-makers with an interest in the product exhibitors are showing. Trade shows also influence the attendees' buying decisions as well as provide a point of contact for every new customer. Of the potential customers trade shows market to, they will attract on average 80 percent.

Globalization has opened many doors to brand new trade show cities and the ability to expand trade shows around the world. The biggest increases have been in India, China, and many other Asian markets.

The future of trade shows is based on more than the products the vendors are selling. Even non-trendy products can render a good turnout, if you have a good marketing plan. Your marketing plan can be the difference between a good turnout and a great turnout. One of the most important aspects of a good marketing plan is promotion. Promotions are designed to engage potential customers through personalization. There are three effective promotion concepts.

Personal contact with your targeted audience prior to the trade show event. This can include things like pre-selling tickets through phone calls, direct mail and email, personal invitations, and free giveaways, which not only introduce your product but encourage attendees to visit your booth.

Various marketing activities during the trade show that will draw potential customers to your booth. These may include a live demonstration of your product, fun hands-on activities, audio or visual programs, or free giveaways. And, if permitted, food.

Follow-ups after the trade show with the visitors to your booth. It is an essential part of turning leads into sales. Send a handwritten note with an information booklet within one week following the trade show. For your top leads, a personal phone call will go a long way toward making a lasting impression.

Trade show attendance is not what it used to be. In the past, companies would send 3 or 4 key employees to these weekend conventions. Now, the same companies are sending only 1 or 2 employees. These changes led to a significant drop in recorded attendance. However, even though the vendors have seen a drop in attendance, they have not seen a decrease in the quality of attendees.

At present, the hottest trade show trends are medical, high-tech and retail. An average trade show attendee spends approximately 8.5 hours visiting the exhibits. Those who visit medical trade shows spend an average of 7 hours looking at the exhibits; they spend 9 hours at high-tech trade shows and 10 hours visiting the exhibits at retail trade shows.

One of the great new trends for conventions is natural products. The Natural Market Place in Las Vegas is an all-natural trade show. Its a place for retailers to come in search of herbals, organics, sports nutrition, raw materials, natural and green home products and much more. Society is beginning to take back their health and trade shows with a natural theme are a great place for them to see what is out there.

Las Vegas is known as the king of conventions with 19 percent market share. Second is Chicago at 13.5 percent, followed by Orlando with 8.5 percent. Las Vegas is home to 6 of the top 10 trade show 200 events. Fifteen years ago, the industry trend was to build the biggest box and fill it with events. Las Vegas has been successful in doing just that.

What does the future hold for trade shows? Some trade show enthusiasts speculate that if trade shows begin to decline it will be due to the vendors own failure to effectively market and capitalize on the industry opportunities that are made available to them each year. Professional and well-trained trade show staffs are an essential part of your success before, during, and after the event.

Lowell Nickens has been in the trade show industry for 27 years as decorating contractor, exhibit builder, and he currently markets trade show and architectural signage through three websites. Interested in exhibits, signage, or displays? Visit his websites for more information.

I've Picked a Trade Show. Now What Do I Do?

2008-05-21T13:45:00.000-07:00

Your first step is to plan your booth well. Think about your goals for the show, and plan accordingly. If your goal is to book parties or recruit and you anticipate needing a moment or two to talk to people one on one, then make sure those prospective hostesses or representatives can enter your booth and get information from you. If you are selling product and need to control inventory, then block off part of your booth for your use only.

This is a tricky issue. Some people swear by making their booths accessible and inviting people in, so they put their tables at the back or along the side edges. However, the general public can sometimes be stand-offish. They may avoid your booth because they do not want to get sucked in. (Afraid of a sales pitch and all that.) Others will put their tables across the front of their booth in order to put all their products or literature right where people can reach them. But this puts your set up between you and your potential clients making you unapproachable. And if the show is very busy, your clients will end up standing right in the traffic pattern where they can be swept away. Sometimes your best bet is to arrange your tables about halfway into the booth. This allows people the opportunity to step out of traffic to talk to you without feeling like they are walking into the lion’s den. It also makes it easier to actually carry on a conversation with all the distraction around you (think “eye of the storm”).

In many ways, your booth will be a reflection of your personality. Choose a set up you are comfortable with. The more comfortable you are, the more approachable you will be no matter what the circumstances.

And do not forget to use the visual space above the tables. If people are standing in front of your booth, perhaps at a table, can people passing behind them see what your booth is about? If the show is indoors, do you have a banner at the back top section of the booth with your company information on it? At an outdoor show, you will want a canopy of some type for shade. Use the front of the canopy for a sign or visual display. (Do not rely on the show to provide you with a sign. The signs they refer to are usually just a 3 foot by 6 inch card that has your company name on it just to mark your booth.) Make sure people can find you and know who you are. Try to strike a balance between visually stimulating and distracting. You want to give just enough information to make them want more. Then they will visit you.

One more thing to consider for your booth is a giveaway item. The vendor’s purpose for a giveaway is to compile a lead list. Sometimes you can get a list of registered attendees from the show itself (as in the case of a bridal show), but this is not always the case. So compile your own list to follow up with after the show. Make sure you give away something worth their time to fill out your form. Ask questions on your giveaway ticket to get more information from your lead besides just their contact info. Do they want to book a party? Are they interested in free stuff? Would they like more information about a specific product? (List products for them to circle.) Keep the form short (no one wants to spend too much time filling them out).

Trade shows and expos are one of my favorite types of marketing venues. You have the opportunity to speak face to face with so many potential clients in a short amount of time. You can tell them personally what is so great about your business. Keep your booth lively and look like you are having fun. Everyone will want to know what is happening there, so they will flock to you. Good luck!

Deanna Mayer is the stay at home mother of two. When she isn't carting her boys around their Denver suburb, she is busy building her ideal career at www.itvventures.com/dlm. She is currently launching her newest product line, Naked Minerals, the first 100% pure pressed mineral cosmetics. Feel free to email her at deanna@goaheadgetnaked.com.

10 Tips for a Successful Bridal Show

2008-05-21T13:44:00.000-07:00

The Successful Bridal Show Guide

It's bridal show season again ... with the time and money you put into being in bridal shows, you want to get the most out of your presence there, right?! Here are some tips...

1. Be sure to advertise that you will be at the Show! Post it on your website, send out flyers, etc.: "Don't forget to come see us at the ‘Bridal Show’ on this date, this location, this time, etc.". Placing a sticker on the back of business cards and handing them out at Shows is a great advertisement as well – be sure to tell them that you have a bridal program and do personal consultations for FREE and ask them to give any brides they know your card!

2. Once you are there, make sure you are set up and prepared before the brides start coming in! Bring plenty of literature (brochures and such)—it is better to have too many than to run out! Keep your booth clean and attractive, not cluttered.

3. Come up with something creative to set yourself apart from your competition and bring attention to your booth: i.e. an exciting theme, a special offer, demonstrations, giveaways, samples, etc.... I use a small white Xmas tree with lia sophia boxes and silver ribbons tied to each one hanging all over the tree with a “Bride” tree topper (It’s a porcelain doll tree topper with a gorgeous white dress on)! Bring your Calendar! Book the Shows right then!

4. Have a 3-minute infomercial planned – rehearse it and know it! You have approx 3 minutes to convince a passer-by that you offer a service they need!

5. Don't forget to dress the part! Think of it like a business meeting, because in a sense that is what it is. The brides are looking for people to do business with. You wouldn't show up to a wedding in everyday clothes would you?

6. Never leave your booth unattended! And don't eat at your booth. You always want to portray a professional image. Even if it seems slow, you never know who might be watching.

7. When brides come by your booth, start up a conversation with them! Ask, “Are you planning your special day?” Be outgoing and excited about their day and be excited about your services and don't forget to SMILE. Remember –it is ALL ABOUT THE BRIDE! Ask if she has a photo of her gown or has one picked out – let her know you do you private consultations! If she has a photo, compliment her! Gush ladies – make her feel special!

8. Even if the Show has brides register when they come in, try to get them to register with you as well. Giveaways and special drawings at your booth can help here, too. Offer an incentive for booking a Show that day or for scheduling their consultation! FREE shipping is an awesome incentive!

9. Once the show is over, contact your leads as soon as possible (1-3 days) to remind them of your services. Send out a letter or postcard thanking them for stopping by your booth and congratulating them again on their engagement. Offer some sort of show discount or incentive to get them to set a consultation with you.

10. Follow up. A week or so after your first contact, give them a call and/or send an email to keep you fresh on their minds. Offer again some sort of incentive with a deadline ... i.e. “Get your free wedding website just for meeting with us! Hurry, offer ends September 1st!” (Maybe a month or so after the Bridal Show date). Then you might consider offering another bonus for booking a show with you.
__________________________________________________

Nicole Walker, lia sophia Advisor and Career Developer is a direct sales expert and teacher. Sharing enthusiasm and motivation wherever she goes, Nicole develops lasting careers. Whether you seek a full or part time opportunity, Nicole is happy to share her business with you. Visit Nicole at www.liasophia.com/nwalker to learn how you can get started in your very own business FREE!
“Lia Sophia - The quality you want ~ the Unconditional Lifetime Guarantee You Deserve!”

How To Grab The Spotlight In Trade Shows

2008-04-08T13:25:00.000-07:00

Trade shows are effective means to showcase your business to a multitude of clients and would-be customers. In the US and Canada, studies show that approximately 4,000 trade shows are organized each year. And almost 100 million people attend these gatherings. Researchers further expect that the number of participants would even increase in the years to come.

According to surveys, clients put great importance to these trade shows to make their buying decisions. Trade shows are frequented by buyers precisely because they are able to see how your products look and at the same time compare them with those of the other companies.

More than magazines and other promotional materials, trade shows are definitely better options if you want your business to make significant increase in sales. As an exhibitor, you would want to use trade exhibits to build client relationships, draw new clients to your business, as well as see what the competition has to offer.

To maximize the potential of every trade show you participate in, one of the most important technique is to provide a pre-show marketing strategy.

Going to a trade show without any preparation is like going to a war without any bullets for your guns. Without any preparation, you’re just going to waste not only your time and money, but your clients¢ too.

Pre-trade show marketing is essential to let your clients and prospective customers know about the trade show and the booth you¢re going to have. The main purpose in your pre-show ad is to let people know that you will be in a trade show at particular dates and time. Let them know your booth number as well so your clients would know where to find you.

Promoting the trade show is not only the responsibility of the organizers. You also have the duty to let your target clients know what shows you will be attending as well as what products you¢re going to present.

You can choose from any pre-show activities such as personal invitations, printed color flyers, promotions in trade publications and the local media, direct mail strategy, telemarketing, website ads, and sponsorships.

Trade shows are definitely significant avenues to promote your products and services. To optimize their potential, you need to make sure that you are not just passive participants in these events. With a pre-show marketing strategy, I hope you become a better exhibitor who makes great waves in your sales.

For more information, you can visit this page on Color Flyers

Why Host A Home Business Expo?

2008-04-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

As a work at home Mom, you might have something in common with many other Moms in business: a lack of sufficient funds to properly build your business, or not enough exposure for your business or product.

What if I could show you a way to grow your own business, establish yourself as the "go-to" person in your community for your product or service, make a network of wahm friends and pocket a few hundreds bucks to boot?

What's not to love about that?

It's entirely possible to do just that by hosting a Home Business Expo.

The benefits are many:

You can get dozens, even hundreds of people looking at your business and product at no charge to you. When was the last time you got tons of targeted leads for free? If you're like most work at home Moms, you're doing classified ads, buying leads, paid online advertising, pay per click campaigns, etc. Imagine having many local people looking at your business who are hungry for what you have!

You can establish yourself as an expert in home business. People will now look to you as a leader in your field. They'll think of you when someone is looking for your product or service. You can also forge a relationship with the media for added exposure and legitimacy.

You can grow your network of wahm friends. Making friends in the wahm community is fun and often very profitable, as well as an opportunity to learn new skills.

Get cash in hand both from the profits from your event and from sales at your Expo. You can then turn around and use these profits to build your existing business, or who knows, start a second business planning business building events.

Get additional, free traffic to your website if you have one, utilizing press releases, word of mouth and newsletters. Often, people are skeptical of what they read on the 'Net. When someone has an opportunity to meet you in person, they're automatically sold on what your website has to offer! And you can also get lots of website traffic from the Media. The course will explain more on this.

Provide a beneficial service to the community... that of helping match people who are looking, to a home based business ideal for them.

So start planning your business expo today!

Carrie Lauth is a work at home Mom of 4 who enjoys helping other Moms learn how to build their businesses online. For your free help, go to http://www.business-moms-expo.com and sign up for the "No Fluff" newsletter.

Driving traffic to your trade show booth

2008-03-31T17:49:00.000-07:00

Promotional products can play a significant part in increasing traffic to an exhibitor’s trade show booth, thereby helping to maximise the company’s investment in terms of time, effort and money. This gives a distinct advantage over other exhibitors who are all clamouring for the same buyers’ attention.

Research shows that the most successful exhibitors – in terms of business generated and leads collected – write to their customers and prospects before a show. A simple direct mail campaign to invite recipients to visit you will most likely generate some extra traffic to your booth, but to gain maximum impact you also need to offer an incentive such as a free gift or opportunity to enter a prize draw.

Using promotional products in conjunction with pre-show mailings has been proven to have even greater success in enticing attendees to call at a booth.

The results of a study* in 2004 by Georgia Southern University, published by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) in the US, indicate that pre-show mailings which include promotional products are more effective than mailings without. It found that by either including a promotional product with the mailing or an offer for a higher value item to be claimed at the show led to a larger number of recipients visiting a booth to see the exhibitor’s product offerings.

In conclusion, promotional products are highly effective in increasing customer awareness and traffic at trade show booths. And the greater the traffic, the greater the potential for sales leads.

praveen samra

Trade Show Display Booth - A Marvellous Contact System

2008-03-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

Trade show booths are one of the best direct contact systems with end consumers. The face to face meeting opportunity with customers can provide some excellent results provided you have a good communication strategy in place. Keep in mind that there are at least a hundred other advertisers at the same trade show vying for the attention of the consumer, you have a small window to make an impression on the persons mind. Here are some tried and tested strategies to implement to maximize your on-the-floor communication:

Be crisp: Don't make the mistake of beating around the bush while communicating at the trade show either verbally or visually. No one has the time to listen to a sales person rambling on (and if someone does listen to long sermons at tradeshows, he probably has no where else to go to). You need put across your message selling the product or service in hand in a direct manner. Your booth display should have the message in readable format with meaningful graphics. Meaningless graphics are the biggest turn-offs for the trade show veteran.

For example, use graphics and text on the display which communicates directly about your products and services. Avoid using generic graphics. If you are not sure of what to put there, take professional help. It is also advised that you get display design done by professional agencies rather than in-house team. This may be a bit more expensive, but if you get a re-usable variety, the costs are going to be well justified.

Know the demographics: Most trade show organizers give information about last year's demographics of visitors. These inputs can form an important ingredient in your communication strategy as you get to know the visitors before they visit your booth and prepare your pitch accordingly. Sometimes, it might also be a good idea to break the tradition and have a strategy which might not be so obvious. For example, if you most of the visitors are the serious management level people, you might like to feature a basketball loop on that trade booth to appeal to their playful mindset rather than a serious looking demo. Such a strategy can make you look different as well as have a great recall value. Your company also wins the image of being a fun company.

Don't compromise on literature: Many organizations begin cost cutting measures at trade show by giving a low quality hand outs. People who frequent trade shows are recognize such companies from a distance. It is advised that you develop cost effective communication material especially for trade shows so that you can save costs without looking cheap. The disadvantage of cheap handouts is that though you can get the satisfaction of giving it out, no one is really going to read it much less file it for later reference.

Fish Bowl still works: Sometimes we may not be able to attend to each and every person who passes the trade show booth. The old fashioned 'drop your visiting card in the fish bowl for a prize', is still a good communication strategy. The value of contacts via the fish bowl, however, can only be determined by a strong follow up right after the exhibition.

The above mentioned strategies are not unique to any particular kind of trade show and can be implemented easily with any event, for any industry. There are of course a number of other strategies which work wonders in a trade show and we will surely cover it in our next article.

Patty Stripes is an editor for The Trade Show Booth, check out her latest articles about using a trade show exhibit booth, used trade show display and advantages of a compelling trade show booth design

Trade Shows

2008-03-22T17:45:00.000-07:00

Some believe network trade shows are more profitable. While others, think a trade show that deals directly with the consumer has more advantages. The secret to successfully marketing your business at a trade show lies in the tools you use. If you have a dynamic personality, make your next marketing strategy a trade show.

Secrets to Promoting Your Business at a Trade ShowTrade shows show promise as a “golden” marketing opportunity. Many business owners are stepping outside of the traditional box and investing in portable signage. Talking one-on-one with potential buyers provides an immediate gratification that is empowering. The trade show makes highlighting business services or products easier. Plan Ahead Working trade shows requires some planning. If possible, visit the facility prior to selecting your booth. Walk through the facility looking for potential problems that would inhibit your success, such as:
Food court: Although being located next to the food court could be beneficial, it creates a distraction. It’s difficult enough to interest a potential buyer in 3-minutes; you don’t need the sweet smell of cotton candy interrupting.

Competition: Don’t be suckered into renting a booth that is right next to a competitor. Some people believe its quality that counts and are eager to take the challenge of competition.

Accessibility: Ideally, your booth should be near the entrance or exit of the building, or the restrooms, or the main isle. Wherever there is an adequate flow of traffic.

The location of your booth and the signage you use will have a direct result of your trade show success. Stay focus on the appearance of your site. Use a banner to display your company logo, web address, and phone number. It’s important you capture the attention of potential buyers with signage and color.

Keep it short and simple, K. I. S. S. Use a secondary color to present information of importance. The two-tone color method adds depth and retains the attention of the reader and that’s a big advantage.

Most booths are no more than a 9` by 5` area. So it is equally important that you make valuable use of the area. Eliminate any unnecessary clutter and keep things organized. It’s important that your potential buyer doesn’t become distracted.

Offering a special is also a good way to bring more people to your booth. Use a tripod and display board to feature your special offer. Write clear and in large lettering. Be prepared to answer questions. Working a Business Trade Show Business trade shows go hand in hand with network marketing. The primary purpose of this type of trade show is to draw the interest of other businesses. Your objective is to provide enough information for the other participants to promote your services or products by word of mouth or through passing literature.

It’s common practice for business groups to exchange business cards and brochures at a business trade show. Each booth gives a 2 minute presentation to visitors, a free gift (ink pen, magnet, sticky notes, or eraser), and ask for the visitors literature. Professionals shake hands and begin asking questions.

• How can I assist you?

• What are the benefits of using your services or products?

• Who is your target market?

• How can potential buyers reach you?

• Do you work outside of your area?

Business trade shows are not limited to business owners. Most vendors will invite others that may profit from using the services or products of the network group. Finding a good booth, using the proper signage, and displaying a sample of your services or products are all important elements of trade show marketing.

Matt Bacak, The Powerful Promoter and Entrepreneur Magazine e-Biz radio show host, became a "#1 Best Selling Author" in just a few short hours. He has helped a number of clients target his specialty, opt-in email direct marketing systems. The Powerful Promoter is not only a sought-after internet marketer but has also marketed for some of the world's top experts whose reputations would shrivel if their followers ever found out someone else coached them on their online marketing strategies. For more information, visit Bacak's site at http://www.powerfulpromoter.com or sign up for his Powerful Promoting Tips at http://www.promotingtips.com

Generating Publicity at Trade Shows

2008-03-18T12:36:00.000-07:00

Trade shows. They can be boring or exciting. And yes, your feet can kill you after standing all day waiting for a potential customer to turn in your direction.
The success of trade shows depends on exhibitors making the most of them. Many exhibitors don’t comprehend the enormous potential for publicity at trade shows, conferences, association meetings, and expositions. They spend a fortune to be at the shows, but they don’t capitalize on the publicity opportunities, which can impact their sales for the year.
Exhibiting at trade shows brings new leads, the chance to meet up with clients and catch up with old contacts. However, in addition to sales and seminars, trade shows present many excellent publicity opportunities.
Follow the tips below to ensure a successful and beneficial trade show experience:

Make sure the show is right for you. Not all trade shows and events have your customer coming through the door. Make sure you know exactly who is attending and that they are your target market.

Make a deal before you commit. Event organizers can – and do give booth discounts. Well organized events, at minimum, provide a list of attendees after the event so exhibitors can follow up. More organized events provide participant contact information before the event, as well as after. Other value-added benefits to inquire about include: being included in participant email distributions promoting the event, as well as an advertisement in the event show guide.

Write pre-show press releases which include a booth number. Get a list of the media attending from the organizer before the show and send a press release to them. Make follow up calls to the media and set up appointments at the booth for reporters to see what you’re offering. Smart companies work weeks, and sometimes months ahead, establishing strong relationships that can pay off big, long before the show is under way.

Research the competition. By finding out about other booths and what they have to offer, you can better strategically implement ways for you and your display to stand out. Use research results to brainstorm ways to make your booth and its products or services unique and appealing. In addition, some of your most qualified event leads come from networking with other exhibitors.

Make attendees work for their freebie. Giveaways are common at trade shows. But you can make your giveaway work for you by asking people to fill out a short survey to get it. Make the survey industry related and then announce the results at a press conference at your booth at the end of the tradeshow.

Speaking of giveaways, make yours meaningful to your business.. Don't give something away for free just for the heck of it. Who cares if you collect 10,000 names because you ran a really cool promotion giving away a free iPod. If you're a personal chef, what does an iPod have to do with your business? Nothing! Therefore, you've just collected 10,000 NON-qualified leads. Instead, as a personal chef you could try, "Fill out this survey to get your free copy of the special report “More Time and More Money: Using a Personal Chef to Get out of the Kitchen and Save Money on Your Food Budget"

Have business cards handy. Give out business cards to anyone interested in your work. This way, they will have your contact information at hand if they decide to pursue your services, or they can check out your webpage if they are still considering.

Follow up potential leads in five days. Put your follow-up plan in place BEFORE your event. If you do not have a follow-up plan, then you're wasting your time. Most of your sales will come after your event. At minimum, your plan could consist of a "Nice to Meet You Note with a Special Trade Show follow-up offer," and adding your new prospect to your ezine.

Shannon Cherry Cherry Communications 184 Lancaster St. Albany, NY 12210 518-248-6592 shannon@cherrycommunications.com www.cherrycommunications.com

Building Brand Awareness Through Tradeshows

2008-03-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Branding is a basic marketing concept that is designed to set your products/services apart from the competition. By using a particular name, phrase, design, symbol or a combination of these, you can create a unique identity. When choosing a brand name, consider the following five criteria:

It should suggest product/service benefits.
It should be simple, memorable, and unique.
It should fit the image of the company.
It should have positive connotations for the target market.
It should be easy to pronounce and to pictorialize.
Branding is not a sales and marketing gimmick. Instead it refines and defines corporate culture and identity. A brand must have meaning to its consumers, its organization and its employees. Brand is an emotional link between you and your customer. It is what people buy when they buy your product or your company. The most important part of a brand’s identity is the promise it makes to customers. The essence of branding is simplicity and timelessness.

Integrating Brand Awareness Into Your Exhibit Program

Since exhibiting is a powerful extension of your company’s advertising, promotion, public relations and sales function, that automatically means it is an excellent way to enhance brand awareness. Everything your company stands for, no matter how large or small, is being exhibited on the show floor. This means there needs to be total consistency, congruity, clarity and focus in every aspect of your exhibiting program, before, during and after the show.

Here are three important points to consider as you plan to integrate brand awareness into your tradeshow program.

Consistency and repetition is vital in creating brand awareness. People buy brands they know and they trust! A brand is a promise that companies make to their customers. Strong branding requires all the levels of communication to agree with one another.
Ensure all your marketing and promotions are consistent and that they have your logo, colors, typeface, slogans and characters. Everything you develop should have the same look and feel.
Peoples’ perception about your company, products, and services is a major factor in their choice of brand preferences and their buying behavior. All perception is subjective and based on experience. Individuals tend to interpret information according to existing beliefs, attitudes, needs and mood.
The following is a 10-point checklist to act as a reminder for many of the questions you need to ask and answer as you plan brand integration into your exhibit program:

1. What needs to be done to ensure that your booth conveys total consistency, congruity, clarity and focus of your company image and brand?

Consider:

booth size
location
graphics
demonstrations
staff
handouts and giveaways
lead management
2. How can your graphics work best for you?

can be easily seen and read in three seconds
use a simple and bold typeface
have striking and grabbing visuals
are instantly memorable
use a unique size or shape
reinforce your message
make your message a single, strong, provocative idea
use a "What’s in it for me?" message
use bold colors
3. What are the best promotional activities you can use to enhance brand awareness?

Personal invitations (e.g. with incentive and response form)

Direct mail with incentive

Pre-show advertising

trade and/or local publications
local media
websites (e.g. company, show, association)
broadcast faxes
association newsletters
city billboards
transit advertising
At-show advertising

show catalogs
show dailies
airport billboards, banners/electronic message boards
hotel closed-circuit television
hotel - on door or in room promotion
kiosks/banners at show site
convention television channels
4. What types of PR communications could be used?

Pre-show:

press releases for local and trade publications
product/service application articles
personal invitations to trade/local editors
company newsletters
At-show:

press kits for the press office
press reception
video/slide presentation at the booth
reprints of articles as giveaways
seminars/workshops
contests
personalities/spokesperson at booth
5. What sponsorship opportunities exist and would complement your company image?

Some of the most frequent sponsorship opportunities are:

press room
international lounge
speaker or VIP room
awards reception
educational programs
keynote sessions
coffee breaks
luncheons/dinners
banners
badge holders
audio visual equipment
display computers
tote bags
shuttle buses
6. What advertising premiums will be consistent with your image and complement the message you want to convey?

Consider:

budget
originality
usefulness and appropriateness for your target audience
distribution
7. Who are the best ambassadors for your company - the right people to staff the booth?

8. What training should they receive?

Consider:

prospect qualification
booth etiquette
product knowledge
product demonstration
obtaining commitment
9. What is the best dress code to convey your company image?

10. What is the best way to follow-up after the show that is consistent with your exhibiting program?

Remember that branding is a process, a business system, that fuels and sustains all customer/company relationships! Total consistency, congruity, clarity and focus in every aspect of your exhibiting program, before, during and after the show are essential.

Written by Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. Go to http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com to sign up for a free copy of ExhibitSmart Tips of the Week.

Perfect Venue - The Key To A Successful Event

2008-03-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

Familiarity can breed boredom. Fortunately with thousands of venues across the country there settle for the mediocre. With a little forethought and the help of this article you will be able to host a truly memorable event.

1) Plan ahead
The first step is to plan well in advance of your event. The best venues can be very busy at peak times of the year so for peace of mind you need to book early. However if you have left it late do not despair. It is more important to know exactly what you are looking for because this will help you narrow the choices and find the perfect venue. With such an enormous variety of venues in the country - perfect is out there.

2) What kind of event are you hosting?
The type of event you are hosting will completely affect your choice of venue. It goes without saying that full scale awards ceremonies require a different venue to intimate business meetings. Know what the event is and what you hope to achieve from it. Dinner Dances, AGM 's , Product Launches, Company Fun Days, Large Exhibitions, Small Exhibitions and Christmas Parties all need to be treated differently. Don't take your staff to the same place each time!

3) What do you want to achieve from your event?
Be honest with yourself about your aims for the event. If you want a basic functional venue that will simply suit your needs then opt for that. If however you want to wow your delegates with an ostentatious display of wealth then it is important you pick your venue accordingly.

4) Know the size of your gathering
The number of people you expect to attend is very important. You will not want to book out the main hall at the London Aquarium if you are only expecting a few. Conversely you do not want to pick a venue that is too small for your delegation. Many venues have flexible capacities so if you expect your numbers to fluctuate then explain this to the venue managers. Some venues even have moveable walls to accommodate the right numbers of people.

5) Location - Parking and accessibility
Access to your venue is crucial. Is it easy to find, or well sign-posted? Is there a railway station nearby? Are there sufficient car parking arrangements? Are you near the Airport? Know your delegates because it is no good having a beautiful country venue if none of your delegates drive and the nearest railway station is miles away.

6) Budget
Does the meeting venue fit your budget? As with everything your choice will ultimately boil down to cost. Be aware of any extras that need to be considered e.g. data projectors, AV equipment and lighting and find out when payment will be required. Ask about the rates on offer. Many venues offer 24 hour rates, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast rates and Day Delegate rates. This could considerably reduce your bill. It is also important to find out about the venue cancellation policy in advance just in case you are forced to withdraw.

7) Personality of venue
The personality of your venue is difficult to quantify nevertheless it is important. Try asking the following questions: Does the venue have air conditioning? Is there natural daylight in the venue? Is the restaurant/bar what you're after? Are refreshments provided? Remember it 's important that you choose what 's right for your delegation.

8) Check for yourself
If you can; visit the venue in advance. Speak to the staff, check out bar prices and get a feel for the place. Do not despair if you do not have the time or inclination to do this yourself there are many companies that specialise in finding the perfect venue for you.

Shaun Parker is an expert venue finder making it easier for your to find the best location for your event. For more information visit The Venue Team.

Marketing Your Seminar or Event

2008-03-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

The single biggest challenge that every single seminar promoter has is getting "butts in the seats"!

Marketing your event and getting people to register - and attend - is the cornerstone of a successful event, so it 's important to map out your seminar marketing plan and set realistic goals and expectations for your seminar.

It 's easy to think to yourself, when you're just getting ready to launch your seminar, "No problem, I can get 500 people to my seminar by sending out a few emails." It 's important to "grow" into your events and set up the marketing from the beginning. Set yourself - and your other speakers - up for success by being realistic about your seminar.

There are hundreds of ways you can market your seminar or event, here are a few favorites of top seminar marketers. Just keep in mind "Who, What, When, Where, Why and How" are you going to use each:

Email
Email is essential in marketing your seminar or event. Email allows you to continually market your seminar for FREE! Plus, you can schedule all of your seminar marketing emails in advance and simply let it run itself. It saves you so much time while your focusing on other methods of marketing your seminar.

Email also keeps you in contact with your seminar attendees right up to the day your seminar starts so you don't lose people to cancellations!

Brochures/Fliers
If you are marketing your event locally, consider having some professionally designed brochures or fliers made up to give out at local networking events or to distribute in your community.

Post Cards
Depending on the kind of seminar or event you are marketing, you may decide to buy a list of prospective seminar attendees. Postcards are cheaper than direct mail and you don't have to "hope" that the recipient opens your letter. You can also use postcards in a two-step seminar marketing campaign.

Sales Letter
People want the details of your seminar or event before they commit - even if you're holding a free seminar. People don't have time to waste so they want to be sure they're going to get valuable information from your event. When using a salesletter to market your event, include all of the important topics you'll be covering at your event, who else will be there, the location of your seminar, the dates of your seminar, the time of your seminar and any other networking activities that may occur outside of the seminar hours, contact information, etc.

Don't forget to include a link to register for your seminar on your salespage if it 's online or if it 's printed, include a registration form that they can mail or fax in as well as a phone number so they can register for your event over the phone.

Teleseminars
Teleseminars are a great way to market your event and allow attendees to "get to know" you and any other speakers that may be presenting at your seminar. You build the relationship BEFORE your seminar, so you'll not only increase the number of people that come to your event, but also the number of sales that you'll have at your event.

Ads
If you;re marketing a seminar that will draw largely from a specific area, classified ads and print ads are great ideas for seminar marketing. But, think globally as well and consider using resources like craigslist.org, for example. Place ads in e-zines and newsletters of people or companies that have subscribers likely to be interested in your event topic.

Joint Ventures with organizations
Joint ventures are the fastest and easiest way to market your seminar. Use any of the above methods with joint ventures and watch your seminar fill up! Depending on the type of seminar or event you're holding, you may even give your joint venture partner as much as 100% of the tickets they sell to your event.

These are just a handful of things that you can do to market your seminar or event. Start looking at all the different things that you can do to help you get "butts" in your seminar seats and give yourself enough time to do it! Seminar marketing is a process, if you take the time to do it RIGHT, you can deposit 5, 6, even 7-figure, paychecks in your bank account in one single weekend.

Visit www.SeminarMarketing.com, the World 's first Seminar Marketing Alliance Resource Team to grab your FREE Guide to Seminar Marketing and discover the closely guarded SECRETS successful seminar promoters don't want you to know and learn the never-before-revealed industry secrets and tactics that puts thousands of dollars in your pocket - GUARANTEED!

Event Planning: Where to Position Inflatable Rentals For A More Exciting And More Profitable Event

2008-03-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

You've seen it if you've attended any carnival, fair, festival, or community event that has inflatable rentals; kid after smiling kid waiting in line for an inflatable bouncer, slide, or other inflatable rentals while parents stand bored on the sidelines. Then, in a scene reminiscent of a county fair 's greased pig event, parents ready to move along unsuccessfully attempt to catch the child as he or she runs from the exit of the inflatable activity to the beginning of the line again.

Facts are facts; kids love inflatable games, slides, bouncers, and games. Just about all inflatable rentals are big hits with kids. It 's also a fact that parents don't want to walk away from their child at an event, but quickly grow bored of standing around waiting for their child as they travel through the inflatable rental line again and again. The last thing any event planner wants is to see anyone standing around bored. If parents are bored, they want to leave. If kids are bored, this causes frustration with parents. The solution? Design your event in activity "clusters" so that the entire family can have fun simultaneously.

Give parents something to do nearby while kids are enjoying their time on an inflatable rental. For example, positioning booths and vendors that are of interest to parents near the inflatable rentals is a good way to keep them occupied and encourages shopping. In fact, spots next to inflatable rentals can easily fetch premium rent fees from vendors.

All too often, inflatable rentals are grouped together, away from the booths and activities that are of interest to parents. I visited a community event a few weeks ago where inflatable rentals were set up in a field along with a pony ride and a DJ. I could see the booths and the vendors far across the lot on a main strip. Bored to pieces, I would have gladly spent a great deal of time looking, and probably a great deal of money shopping, had any of those vendors been close to the inflatable rentals.

At the same event, it wasn't uncommon to see adults browsing through the booths while kids were fidgeted and tugged at their sleeves trying to get them to head over to an inflatable rental. With bored kids, parents didn't have the opportunity to browse and shop the way they might have if they felt more relaxed.

A better idea would have been to weave the inflatable rentals and the booths together. Placing several 6-10 booths and vendors around one of the inflatable rentals gives adults more than ample time to browse. When parents are ready to move along, the anticipation of a different inflatable rental lying ahead mean kids have activities to look forward to all day.

The next time you're planning an event, consider a layout that keeps both kids and parents happy. Having inflatable rentals is a given to entertain kids, but positioning them in the right places mean that kids, parents, and vendors can have an enjoyable experience.

For more information on inflatablerentals in California, visit http://www.allforfunrentals.com

Marketing Your Seminar or Event

2008-03-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

Is Your Customer Database Lying To You?

2008-03-03T09:57:00.000-08:00

at trade shows to attract an attentive audience who, hopefully, will show interest in their product or service. The show organizer uses company marketing dollars to bring potential customers to these shows. As an exhibitor you must go about doing this same thing - inviting your customers and prospects to see you and talk to you.

Often easier said than done, right? It can definitely be a challenge. This simple marketing tactic requires that you first know who you will invite - your best target audience. So what does your database of names or your CRM (customer relationship management) software really contain? I'd venture to say too much wrong information! Bad names, bad numbers, bad titles, and on and on. I call this 'dirty' data.

In today 's business environment we swim in a sea of dirty data. So let 's first take a look at the Internet, and later at your own business lists, to assess just how dirty your data actually is.

The Internet is full of old and outdated information. Recent statistics from Technorati indicate that the number of active blogs on the net is around 15.5 million. They define 'active' as blogs updated within the last 90 days. Technorati says in their advertising that they track 70 million blogs. Using their math model, that results in 78%, or nearly 55 million, blogs have become inactive, abandoned or otherwise outdated. The conclusion is that the Internet is a storehouse of factually suspect information.

So, what is going on in your office? How dirty is your information? The first place to look is at your contact lists. Whether you store your contacts in Outlook, ACT, Goldmine, or whatever, when was the last time the contact information was updated? My guess is that it was longer ago than you would like to believe. You have tons of inaccurate information in those systems.

Trade Shows and dirty databases -there 's connection, but with bad information it 's a broken fence.
Personal invitations by an exhibitor are one of the significant reasons any attendee will make the effort to patronize a given show.

It has been my recommendation for years that there are several invitations that should go out.

- One is to the top, special customers in the city of the show - top tier executives and management. These could be, perhaps preferably, hand delivered by the salesperson.

- The next tier is an invitation to the other customers in your database. I suspect these names are in pretty good order.

- Now here is where the water gets murky - the prospect list. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of names in your system. When was the last time it was cleaned or updated?

Here is a great way to determine how clean your data is. Select 500 names from the database. Have company staff call at least one hundred or more of those names. Take every tenth name and call to see if they are still there, if they still hold the same position, correct email and other pertinent information, and you have a good checklist of points of accuracy. You will likely be surprised to see that more than 50% of your names are bad. If it is much less, then pat your self on the back - you are doing a great job. However, if it is 50% or more, then a database scrubbing needs to take place.

Inviting your prospects can pay off handsomely. They can come and see you, listen to what you have to offer, and take the appropriate action and become a valued customer. Having all the correct information about every prospect you contact can increase the odds heavily in your favor. The top of the sales funnel is large and with the proper steps along the way to insure a large pool of correctly identified contacts, the larger the pool of secured clients there will be at the bottom of the funnel. It 's just as simple as that.

For 25 years Joyce McKee has helped companies succeed in the trade show and event world.Keep up with the latest trends her new site at http://www.letstalktradeshows.com

Promotional Products For Bridal Shows

2008-03-01T09:56:00.000-08:00

Weddings are huge business. While word of mouth and internet advertising are good ways to advertise, many bridal consultants, florists and other wedding related businesses pick up the bulk of their business leads at bridal shows and fairs. Bridal fairs offer wedding related businesses the chance to influence thousands of happy couples in a single afternoon or weekend. Of course, the tradeoff is that you�re also competing with dozens and sometimes hundreds of other businesses who are all trying to grab the attention of the same market that you�re trying to snag.

Promotional products and advertising gifts hold the key to grabbing that attention long enough to pitch your service or products to your intended customers. When choosing promotional products for a trade show, these are the considerations you should keep in mind:

You can use promotional products for many different purposes at bridal shows.

There�s more to promotional products than giveaway business gifts, and most companies that specialize in creating promotional items and corporate gifts can handle all of your promotional needs. The more business you do with a single company, the more likely it is that you�ll be eligible for volume discounts and special pricing on individual parts of your order. Among the things you can order from promotional specialists are:

1. lead generation incentives
2. customer appreciation gifts
3. exhibit displays
4. presentation materials
5. informational flyers and leaflets
6. product carrier bags
7. staff apparel
8. Use promotional products to attract attention
9. to your display space.

There are many ways to do this. You might choose, for instance, to offer a �gotta have it� promotional giveaway to those who visit your booth and make an appointment for a consultation. You might use a brightly colored exhibit stand to catch the eye, or create an arresting display of colorful printed balloons. Whatever you choose, remember that you�ll be competing for attention with many other displays. Find ways to make yours unique and outstanding.

Use promotional apparel to give your booth attendants a cohesive appearance.

The people tending your booth are, like it or not, part of the display. One way to make sure that they �fit� your image is to invest in promotional polo shirts, jackets or other matching apparel.
Check the prices and ideas for printed materials

For handouts at bridal shows and exhibitions.

A firm that specializes in promotional printing is often expert at designing both booth displays and the promotional materials that you�ll be handing out from your booth. One way to make sure that all of your materials coordinate is to order them all and have them all produced by the same company. Take advantage of the professional design services that most promotional products companies offer at reduced prices or even free when you place an order with them.

Put your carry away gifts in eye catching bags or packages.

Many exhibiters at bridal shows and wedding expos put a lot of thought into the colors for their booth, the choice of appreciation gifts and lead generation incentives � and completely miss one of their best opportunities to increase name recognition. I can�t count the number of times I�ve watched booth attendants scrambling for any sort of bag or container for attendees. Invest in generously sized printed carrier bags for your takeaway materials and appreciation gifts. Your exhibit visitors will appreciate the extra room to stow all the stuff they pick up at other booths � but it will be YOUR logo that�s on display.

For additional information on advertising gifts, corporate gifts or promotional items then why not check out the leading promotional gift suppliers online today and start to make big savings.

Gareth Parkin is the co-founder of Ideasbynet, the UK 's leading online promotional products and promotional items company based in the north of England

How To Increase Market Share In Spite of Recession With Trade Shows

2008-02-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Recession is the buzz word in the headlines almost every day now. Certainly we have been through recessions before, and most of us have weathered the storms. How marketers view this time resolved itself in one of two ways. They can either enhance their company 's cache of customers, or merely attempt to hold onto what they have.

When talk of a recession commenced last year, Wayne Hurlbert posted a blog dated February 28, 2007 - Recession Marketing - Winning Market Share. In it he shared this idea:

"Should there be an economic downturn, the prudent course of action is to see an opportunity where everyone else sees a crisis. One of those expansion opportunities is through increased market share.

While other business owners and managers enter into a contraction and retrenchment mode during a recession, the contrarian business person thinks in terms of expansion. When other businesses cut back on marketing and advertising, they are surrendering potential market share. There is no better opportunity to pick up new customers and increase your company 's profile in the marketplace. When other organizations are cutting back, it 's time to claim their abandoned market share."

These are wise words to companies who enjoy a solid marketing plan. And there are many companies who will proceed with deliberate action to capture a good market share.

Do you have a trade show in your plans?

If you have a scheduled show in the next few months, now is the time to go over every detail of just what you will be doing there. Naturally, there will be potential buyers who will pay their own expenses and come to the show to hear your sales presentation. Honor that commitment of time and money so that every visitor knows you are taking him seriously.

Bill Sell of Advisor Communications, a veteran of many marketing cycles, offers this advice for your show planning:

"2008 looks to be a somewhat slower market than the past couple of years - and this is actually when face-to-face marketing can make all of the difference. Customers are slowing down with their purchase planning and looking around more - and trade shows are ideal for this type of behavior. Exhibitors should focus on demonstrations in their booth, case studies showing results past customers are getting, and even have a few fact sheets or white papers to distribute. The trick is to become part of the customer 's evaluation process, make it easier and faster for them, and not to go overboard on the extras.

Design exhibit booths to be functional and include a small conference table to have that deeper discussion opportunity. Focus on the basics of your product and spell these out with your graphics and signs. You need to help the attendee - the buyer - feel you understand their concerns for value and budget."

Utilize your tradeshow presence through other marketing devices that outreach to those who were not able to attend. Capture the theme of your show booth and extend it in various mail pieces, or email communications to let them know the value your product or service and what you have to offer them. Even in a tight economy a potential customer may be able to see the worth of your products or services and the value add to their business by coming onboard.

If there is to be a White Paper given out at the show, make sure non-attendees have it ready at their fingertips. These can be sent electronically or mailed with a note from you letting them know how much you value them and want to keep them in the communication loop. Make them feel that special, personal touch that includes them even though they were non-attendees.

Effective and comprehensive marketing communication can keep you in the forefront of the customer mind. So make sure to review your communications strategies that have worked for you in the past and consider new, experimental ones to implement today and in the future. Prospects always appreciate that your company considers their wants and needs paramount to your effectiveness.

Ask yourself: how does what I'm offering solve their problem and save them time and money? Answering that question can position you for additional sales.

For 25 years Joyce McKee has helped companies succeed in the trade show and event world.Keep up with the latest trends her new site at http://www.letstalktradeshows.com

Trade Show Marketing Tips

2008-02-26T17:01:00.001-08:00

Tradeshows And Networking Is The Lifeblood Of Industry

2008-02-26T16:56:00.000-08:00

Staying on the cutting edge of your industry is important to all business leaders. Having access to the latest technologies and innovations allows you to stay at the front of your field.

Many events are held each year by professional organizations in an attempt to bring together the main players of a particular industry and allow them to exchange ideas and build relationships. These events include conferences, trade shows, and informative lectures.

Trade shows are among the most common ways for people that are interested in networking. They generally take place in large venues where businesses are given their own space and allowed to set up booths and advertise.

Networking

Trade shows are a great way to meet people in the same field where a healthy exchange of ideas and methods can take place. This type of forum brings together people from different regions of the country that typically would not encounter one another.

These meetings can provide great insight into the main focus of an industry. Observing research trends and corporate interests can be a vital tool in discerning where the market is heading.

Meeting others in the same field or a related one allows businesses to develop mutually beneficial relationships. These associations can be the key to finding a cheaper supplier in the future or meeting new clients.

In addition to encountering new people, trade shows can provide the optimal opportunity to build on current relations. A client that left on good terms might be won back or a top-notch employee can be enticed away from a current position at a rival company.

The possibilities for networking are as endless as the options that arise with good connections. Making effective business contacts can be the difference between success and failure in the world of business.

Education

A popular feature in many trade shows is a series of lectures. These talks are designed to keep everyone as up-to-date as possible on developments, trends, and new technologies.

If there is a problem plaguing the field, it might be addressed during one of these lectures and a discussion group would usually follow to try to determine the best course of action.

The possibility for education is a large draw for trade shows. Knowledge is the most important aspect of running a business. Being aware of how to manage a company and having the resources to compare it to the way other companies are being run is a valuable tool that can help successfully shape a business.

Rose Bevington worked for the Chamber Of Commerce. Impact Trade Show Displays has over 20 years experience, with a professional custom graphics team and large-format print production staff available to help you. They create state-of-the-art pop up displays, fabric displays, panel displays, truss systems and more, for tradeshow and storefront clients around the world.

New Clients

Trade shows are not just open to people in the industry. Potential customers frequently attend trade shows in search of products and services.

A trade show put on by members of the hospitality industry would be a great destination for some one planning a trip or an event planner. They provide many opportunities for a potential customer to ask questions and learn more about what is being offered.

Many companies who set up booths at trade shows offer special rates to attract new clients. These discounts make it possible for them to recruit new business and establish a much larger client base.

Showing Off

The interest that a trade show draws can be instrumental in marketing new products and services. This provides a businessman with the opportunity to see what the competition has developed and what they are offering.

Knowing what is being offered by the competition can provide insight into a company's inner-workings. Having this information can help you develop your business in the right direction to properly compete against them.

Trade show can be a valuable resource for customers that are shopping around. When a company is set up in a booth next to others, they can really stand out as the best available option.

People are attracted to shows that offer demonstrations. When preparing for an event or searching for a product, having many options and ideas to compare can make planning and decision making much easier.

Final Thoughts

Trade shows are a great way to interact with others in the field and get to know your competition. Properly displaying your products and services can make you appealing to new clients.

There are many ways to network and make mutually beneficial connections. Trade shows are a great way to meet people that may be helpful to you in all aspects of your business. It is also very possible to build lasting relationships whom you would not mind spending some of your free time.