EXHIBITION GUIDE - PROMOTION

This guide will look at how to promote your exhibition and event in order to attract a larger crowd and more chance of converting customers.
Adapted from our blog article "How To Get More People To Your Event".

As leading suppliers of event, exhibition and trade show equipment for over 20 years, we have built up a wealth of knowledge on how to get the most out of your event, and in this article we will be sharing some of our industry tips on how to promote your event and increase attendees and also heighten brand awareness.
Exhibition equipment such as display stands, banner frames and large format printed graphics are just one part of a successful event. It is more important now than ever before to make the most of social media to promote your event. The best part of this is many of these techniques can be done quickly and for little or no outlay other than time.

1. Your company web site – Advertise the event on your home page with a link to a separate page on the site, as this is an important way of drawing attention to your event with people who are already interested in your product or service. Implementing an online sign up form is beneficial for committing people to attending your event. Get this set up early even if you don’t have a full list of acts or times etc, you can have a “send me more info” button.

2. Using Social media - The secret to this powerful tool is to get word of moth referrals. If you tell 5 people and they each tell 5 people who in turn tell 5 people after 8 steps you have told nearly 80,000 people! Make it easy by giving them the text and a pre-shortened link, using a service like tinyurl, to your event homepage or registration page that they can copy and paste to Twitter and Facebook. For Twitter users, add a hashtag phrase (e.g. #homeshow2010) to brand individual tweets about your event. This lets Twitter users (and you) easily see who else is tweeting about the event. Keep tweeting whenever you have fresh news, a new act or special guest.

3. Blogs. Technically part of social media, but a huge area worth exploring, start by searching for blogs related to your industry, product or service and narrow your focus on people who would have an inherent interest in your event. See if you can get a link or advertising banner on the relevant blog, as this will be beneficial for both parties. If you have your own blog use this to promote your blog and update after the event with pictures and a review.

4. Use email. If you have an email list use it to send a series of emails prior to the event. The first email sent out in plenty of time could be a simple invitation sent, such as ‘8 weeks prior to the event’. Make it personal, keep it short and to the point but sell it to them “A great day out for the whole family” is a good example of this. You could ask them to pre register on your event homepage and give them an incentive, maybe “Free entry to our prize draw”.
Nearer the event, say the week before, send a follow up email. A new invitation for those who have not registered with an attention grabbing headline; “Only 2 days left” “10 seats left”. Also send a reminder to the people who have already registered. A helpful reminder that can boost attendance.

5. Partners. – Your suppliers and other business links can provide crucial information on the best upcoming events, events you might not know about and past experiences of any events you’re thinking of attending. They can also advertise on their website for you if you are selling their product, or if you have a link with a charity they could advertise on their site giving you exposure and awareness.

Discountdisplays have been producing large format print and exhibition graphics for the last 17 years. Use our experience to highlight yours call 0844 800 1020 and speak to one of our exhibition graphic advisors. If you have any interesting information that our visitors may find useful please send an E-mail to guide@discountdisplays.co.uk