Don’t look now, but it’s the last day of July! For many Canadians, today’s date is a bit of a downer because it spells the midway point of summer. Yes, there is only another month or so until a new school year gets underway. However, there is plenty of summertime left to enjoy! As a business owner, it’s important that you get out and about in the sunshine.
Attending live summer events and trade shows is an excellent way to grow the reach of your brand. But what steps can you take to attract customers?
Design an eye-catching booth.
As a vendor at a summer event, you want to be sure to capture the attention of all walkers-by. Keep in mind that there are many other vendors sharing a space with you. It’s vital that you find ways to stand out. Be sure to invest in easy-to-read signage that immediately alerts event visitors to the presence of your business. As well, you should display your products in ways that encourage people to come and take a look. Being eye-catching is a key to trade show success.
“One word of warning: don’t go overboard,” offers Elise Dopson of Shopify, “Many booths fill any available space, which results in a cluttered and confusing display. Utilize items to highlight a handful of focal points throughout the vendor booth, use simple signage, and leave blank spaces.”
Be fun, not forceful.
People go to outdoor summer events to have fun. Allow them to do just that! When people approach your booth, avoid trying to forcefully get them to buy anything. Greet them. Ask them how they’re enjoying the festival. Be friendly and inviting. Give them complete open space to peruse your goods as they please. Stephanie Vozza of Square reminds us that many summer event sales come as a result of impulse buys.
“Set the stage by giving customers space to browse your products without feeling pressured,” she encourages on their website, “Once someone starts touching the items on display or making eye contact, strike up a friendly conversation instead of jumping into a hard sell pitch. For example, ask if they’re looking for anything in particular, or simply comment on the day or mention something about the event itself.”
Set yourself up for future success.
We all know that there’s no business like repeat business. One of your top objectives, at each event you attend, is to be able to create a space for your company at future events. That way, you can repeat your attendance, giving your brand greater opportunities to grow its customer base. Reach out to event organizers after the event to thank them for allowing you to set up shop. Request information about their next event and express your desire to be a part of it.
“If the event was successful, cultivate a relationship with the event organizers so they invite you back,” advises Vozza, “If possible, reserve your space for their next event before leaving. You might also want to build relationships with other vendors who might alert you to other festivals you would like.”
Contact Unity Payments!
With our Virtual Terminals, you can turn any mobile device into a credit card terminal. That way, you can seamlessly process credit card and debit card sales at any trade show you attend! To learn more, please don’t hesitate to call us at 1-800-661-3761 or email us at info@unitypayments.ca.
