Your trade show has been canceled, now what?
Discover 4 alternate concepts to stay in touch with buyers amid Coronavirus
Many industries rely on trade shows to acquire new business: hardware, housewares, marine, and outdoor power equipment to name a few. Trade shows across the world are being canceled due to Coronavirus concerns and those not canceled will be limited with numerous corporations deciding not to send employees.
Now is not the time to panic but to look at the cancelations as an opportunity to outwit the competition. There are numerous ways to impress buyers that do not require face to face meetings, 4 of which we’ll expand upon below.
Before we dive in, it's important to note that your company most likely pours tens of thousands of dollars into each trade show. It is key to reallocate the funds into an alternative platform and not simply dismiss an opportunity to impress and converse with buyers.
4 alternate trade show ideas:
Schedule a virtual meeting room on the day of the event
Personalize a home sample delivery
Film a product walkthrough
Develop an interactive landing page
1. Schedule a Virtual Meeting Room on the Day of the Event
The business world has become familiar with virtual meeting platforms such as Zoom, LogMeIn, and Webex. Take advantage of the digital times and set aside calendar slots to meet with buyers as you would at the trade show. Build enthusiasm around the virtual meeting room with emails, posts, and press releases. Set the stage with a professional background, scheduled discussion points, and impressive visuals.
2. Personalize a Home Product Delivery
Handwritten letters and personal touches are extremely memorable in today's digital world. Consider sending a sample product with a personalized note to the buyer's doorstep. If your product is large, (such as a boat...) create a high-end print piece that represents your product.
3. Film a Product Walkthrough
Share a product walkthrough with prospective buyers. The video can be produced in two ways. Option 1 is a well-produced and professional video with animated graphics and voiceover. Option 2 is an iPhone video that points out details you think buyers will find personally interesting. Consider distributing the video with a virtual launch to add hype.
4. Develop an Interactive Landing Page
A landing page is a tried and true conversion tool. View it the way you would a campaign landing page by targeting the product, content, and call to action to the individual buyer. Highlight your product with impressive visuals, an extensive feature list, and testimonials.
Takeaways
Now is the time to make unexpected moves and impress buyers with your company's ability to pivot. Pair all 4 suggestions above for a well-rounded strategy.
Who We Are
SPLASH is your integrated creative solution. We are designers, directors, cameramen, editors, and problem solvers who elevate brands to their fullest potential. From studio and location product content to package design, we are your creative partner.
Need help with your trade show alternative? We can help, reach out to Emily Thorsen at emily@splashcreatives.com