10 Booth Staffing Tips from Our Readers
1. Don't let body language turn people away from your booth. Smile and don't have your hands in your pockets, arms crossed, or behind your back like a military guard. Some people will decide to stop in or pass on stopping just by the way the people in the booth look. Try holding a piece of literature at all times. This will keep your hands in front of you, and you are more likely to appear eager to help, rather than bored, tired, or intimidating.
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2. Don't try to sell. Open the door a little bit, make appointments to call back or visit, and follow up immediately after the show.
- Ira Stoller, Micro Strategies
3. Turn off the cell phones! I am always amazed at the number of exhibitors talking on their phone instead of talking to attendees, or even worse, interrupting a conversation with a prospect to answer a phone call.
- Joe Kulyeshie, The J K Bedrin Marketing Group
4. Have a message pertaining to your product printed on the back of your business card. When you exchange cards, mention that there is a message for them on your card. They will remember the booth, company and YOU.
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5. Maximize your time in visitor contact, and keep sufficient staff in the booth.
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6. Stand up, don't talk on the cell phone or use the laptop, make eye contact and say hello to everyone walking the aisles.
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7. I have added a small area rug, 4x6 to our booth. This can be placed exactly where you have to stand and provides extra padding without having to pay for show padding. Plain color complementary to your booth blends and is not even noticeable.
- Jane Magee, Baco Controls
8. Scan everyone regardless of whether they need anything right now or not. Even if the visitor stopped only long enough to grab a catalog, or glance at one product, they are showing interest - they have become a potential future customer.
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9. Those "Gel" shoe inserts are invaluable. Also if you can get the attendees to play a game with you, it increases traffic tremendously.
- Rick Loomis, Flying Buffalo, Inc.
10. Smile!
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