Page 226 - 597 Business Ideas You can Start from Home - doing what you LOVE! (Beginner Internet Marketing Series)

220 Your Idea, Inc.

GIVE OUT PROMOTIONAL ITEMS

A lot o f exhibitors give out inexpensive promotional gifts to keep
their company name in front of a buyer. High quality pens, sticky
notes, and tote bags are practical options, which can be emblazoned
with your company name and/or logo.

Investigate your options at least four weeks prior to the show to
have the products ready in time. Visit these websites for ideas: www
. thepromotouch.com, www.bestimpressions.com, and www.epromos.com.

Collect Business Cards

Place a basket on one o f your tables and invite people to drop in
their business cards. Ask for a business card from anyone that stops
at the booth, even other exhibitors. Ask if it's okay to add them
to your mailing list (or have a sign indicating that's the purpose).
Voila, you have begun your customer database. Keep a spare note­
book to keep track of information in case someone doesn't have a
card. You can also use this basket to have a drawing on the last day
of the show for a giveaway . . . people can usually find a business
card if it's for a giveaway.

Jot down quick notes on business cards so when you call
to follow up, you can mention the specifics of how they
said they would introduce the product. Some people say
"I would love to have these for a Mother's Day promo" or
"These would be perfect for our seminar on reflexology."
You will be grateful for those notes. Once you are away from
the trade show you won't remember the comments but you
can remind them of what they said at the show-you're l i kely
to get the order!

Protect Yourself from Trade Show Predators

My husband refers to trade shows as the "den of thieves" and
though it sounds harsh, it's with good reason. His work on cases of