Giveaways and Promotions
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Some great ideas for promos are items imprinted with your company’s logo. T-shirts, calendars, pens, key chains; the sky’s the limit when it comes to imprints. Other possibilities include mouse pads, mugs, and bumper stickers. Your giveaways should be creative but practical. For example, small digital alarm clocks, fanny packs, USB memory sticks, tote bags, mini-calculators, business card magnets, and even small flashlights can all be imprinted with your company’s logo, slogan, and contact information. It is a good idea to place your promos and giveaways near the back of your exhibit. This compels the customer to enter your booth. Be certain to try and engage each customer who grabs a promotional item or some literature. Don’t pass up this golden opportunity to deliver your pitch! Have a staffer keep an eye on your stacks of literature and your giveaways. They can rapidly become a disorganized mess with so many people coming and going. Beware of “freebie hoarders.” Let people know that it is one to a customer, when it comes to these items. As you become more experienced, you will be able to spot such people a mile away. Remember these items are an investment in your business, and if used wisely they will spread the word about your company long after a tradeshow has packed up and ended. Mel White |
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Everyone loves a freebie, and giveaways are a tried and true method for attracting people to your booth at a tradeshow. A word of caution however; these items can quickly add up to a significant portion of your budget, so they should be distributed judiciously. Try to keep your expenses for promotional items within five to ten percent of your total budget. There will always be those people who simply case the exhibit halls in search of free stuff. In some cases it is your fellow staffers who will be hunting and gathering, so it is a good idea not to put your promo items out until right before the show is set to open.