Page 208 - 597 Business Ideas You can Start from Home - doing what you LOVE! (Beginner Internet Marketing Series)

Step 1 0 . Prep for the Trade Show 201

most important. The most popular request is to not be located right
next to a direct competitor. The show will usually take those into
consideration. However, industry trade shows usually feature several
companies selling similar products. If your specific product is just
one tiny offering of a bigger company's line, you may not even know
that you are selling similar products until you see it at the show.

You'll see a l l kinds of wacky product demonstrations and
oelrsonallitv-dr'ive,n sales pitches at trade shows. Ask show
manallerner,t about su rrounding booths when you are get­
ting ready to sign a contract. Some shows allow exhibitors
to use microphone headsets, which project sound so loudly
that it's difficult to converse normally inside your booth. The
same goes for loud appliances, tools, or other noisy prod­
ucts. Also consider nearby smells. Once we exhibited next
to a company that sold incense. During the show, it made us
(and other close exhibitors) truly nauseous.

Sharing a Booth

Some shows allow two companies to share a booth; others don't.
When budget is an issue, you may want to consider sharing if you
can find a company that has products complementary to yours.
However, don't share a booth unless it is your last resort. Why'

• Booths are small (10' x 10') and you will likely feel on top of the
other company.

• Shows are competitive! If you are writing orders and your booth
partner isn't, he may become insecure and jealous, which makes
for a really uncomfortable booth and a long three or four days.

• You or your partner may accidentally (I would hope not inten­
tionally) take a customer away from the other mid-pitch (say your
booth mate recognizes the person and says hello, for example).

• It's awkward to figure out who speaks to a passerby first.