Trade show tips & exhibiting resources for promoting your business successfully
Friday, April 23, 2010
Using Social Media for Trade Fair Promotion
Pre-show promotion
According to comScore’s World Metrix audience measurement service, the most popular social media sites in the UK (May 2009) are Facebook and Bebo, with Twitter and MySpace not far behind.
If you already have a robust social media program, then pre-trade fair promotion will be a relatively easy task for you. Simply provide the details about where your followers can find your trade fair exhibition stand during an upcoming show, and feed them information about any special product introductions or other promotions you’ll be doing during the exhibition.
If you do not current have an ongoing social media program, don’t worry – it’s easy to join the group! On Facebook you can create a Fan Page for your business and post photos of your exhibition stand and your products. Many trade fairs have their own pages on Facebook that you can add your comments to as well to encourage visitors to come see you. You can also use Facebook’s low-cost advertising option, search for groups using your industry keywords and promote directly to those users.
Promoting during the show
Since most attendees will have their smartphones with them on the show floor, you can promote your presence during the show through Facebook, Bebo and Twitter. Create messages that provide a powerful incentive for them to visit your exhibition stand – like an important new product introduction, speaker or celebrity appearance, or contest – and you can drive traffic every day of the exhibition.
Another way to increase trade show traffic is by having an exhibition stand that delivers an engaging marketing message – something you can obtain easily by contacting Discount Displays on 0844 800 1020 or by visiting our website.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Exhibiting & Retail Supplier Gets a Facelift
Monday, April 12, 2010
Big Ideas for Small Spaces
Build Up, Not Out – if your space is small, go tall. Tall structures within your space will make your booth appear – and feel – larger.
A Good Reflection – an old interior design trick, incorporating mirrors into your exhibition stand design is a sure way to create the illusion of space without actually having it.
Less is More – having an uncluttered exhibition stand design makes your smaller space appear larger. Keeping your trade fair booth space relatively empty will make it feel much more open and spacious than if you clutter it with product displays.
Add Overhead – things will be looking up for your smaller booth if you hang graphics from the ceiling above it, allowing you to claim all the space your exhibition stand needs to shine.
Lighten Up – using lighter colours in your exhibition stand design will open your space up. Research shows that light colours reflect light back to the eye, which your brain then interprets as a larger space.
The new Discount Displays Express site focuses on retail, exhibiting and trade shows, helping organizations make a big impression no matter what size of exhibition stand they require. Our staff designers love a challenge – so if you have one, bring it to us.
Explore all the possibilities by visiting Discount Displays Express.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
How to Choose a Reliable Exhibition Stand and Graphics Supplier
How to Choose a Reliable Exhibition
Stand and Graphics Supplier
We know that many marketing managers
and retailers want and need a reliable, economical source for obtaining exhibition equipment such as banner stand displays, retail displays, outdoor event gear and large format printing.
Too often, cheap prices mean no service. So how can you confidently
select a supplier who will stand up to your expectations for quality,
price and service? Here are some questions to ask vendors:
How do you arrive at your pricing?
Believe it or not, we have been told in the past that we’re too cheap!
Clients can't believe that the quality is as good as our competitors
who may charge three times as much for exactly the same equipment. There's
no magic involved in Discount Displays’ pricing. We keep tight control
of our costs, buy in bulk and have a small sales force. The result?
You get a fast reliable service offering quality products (our frames
are backed by a 6 year guarantee) at rock bottom prices. If you
see cheaper prices ask why. How are the graphics printed? What inks
are used? Where is the stand made? Will the graphics have a good fit?
Is the printing in house?
Do you offer a lowest price guarantee?
We keep a close eye on the competition and make a simple promise: If
you find the same product elsewhere for less, prove it and we will beat
it.
Who are your current clients?
Look for a supplier that has consistently been chosen by brands
that demand quality. We have continually been chosen against stiff
competition by the most demanding of clients including many well-known
high street names for major nationwide contracts. (Marks and Spencer,
Thomas Cook, De beers, etc.) as well as local government, Schools and
Charities in the UK and overseas. You can view our full product range
at our Showroom in Croydon.
What warranty do you offer?
You want a supplier that stands behind the product they sell.
Our business has been built over the last 17 years on repeat work so
our stands have to be totally reliable and trouble-free. Our display
equipment is carefully sourced to offer the very best value for money
and durability. Our stand warranty covers manufacturing defects rather
than operator damage.
Do you offer discounts for quantity?
The answer here should be yes. We're unbeatable on large quantities.
A couple of recent projects have included a nationwide delivery of 350
Roll-Up displays for Marks and Spencer and 450 Eco Rollas for Thomas
Cook.
What are your delivery times?
Look for a vendor who has the capability and desire to meet your deadlines.
Unlike many of our competitors, we hold stock so many standard products
are available off the shelf. Customised take a little longer -- about
7 days – but can be provided sooner in some instances.
What quality are your graphics?
You want to be sure your graphics are printed using high quality digital
ink jet technology and the very best branded inks and media (HP and
3M). We print images on 600-micron polyester with a scratch resistant
durable matt laminate seal for a hardwearing finish.
Monday, March 22, 2010
window graphics
Our Viewpoint on Window Graphics
Window graphics are a high impact,
low cost way to catch the attention of potential customers and bring
them in your door. Discount Displays has been producing impactful window graphics for almost two decades, and have a wide range
of window graphic applications that suit every need, including:
One-Way Vision -- One-way
contra vision is a perforated
film designed for retail window displays. Mounted onto the outside of
the window, it allows people to see out but prevents them from looking
in. These are ideal for bus shelters, phone boxes, POP, retail and commercial
signage, convention centres, corporate identity and a wide variety of
other applications. Different film types are also available for smaller
images and vehicle branding such as the backs of buses and trucks.
Etched Glass Effect -- Reverse cut etched effect self adhesive
retail window displays look just like expensive sandblasted etched glass, lending a touch of class to your window signage.
Company logos can be scanned and cut, and all window graphics are provided
ready to fit with simple, detailed fitting instructions.
Self-Adhesive Vinyl – Digital printed self-adhesive vinyl stickers adhere to the outside of the window and are
available in single or multiple colours in hundreds of type styles.
No fading or peeling, either.
Self-Cling Window Stickers
– Digitally printed self-cling film is easy to fit and remove.
These static
cling window stickers adhere
to the inside of your window are an economical solution for retailers
who want to change their window graphics on a regular basis.
Snap-Shut Poster Rails
– Easily suspended from a shop ceiling, these snap-shut poster rails hold posters up to 500 microns thick, and
are a simple, effective way to hang promotional posters.
Window Magnetic Poster Holders
– Mounts to the inside of a window and takes size A2 posters.
Durable and easy to clean, these magnetic
poster holders can be printed
with graphics at the top.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Outdoor Marketing equipment
What’s the Big Idea?
Digitally printed vinyl banners . Custom printed vinyl advertising banners are a cheap highly effective and versatile method of outdoor marketing. Reinforced PVC material is comonly used although there are now "green" recyclable alternatives. Banners can be hung using nill cost space and give a big impact.
Chalk Up New Customers
On a smaller scale Chalk Board pavement signs are ideal for attracting people for pubs, restaurants, cafes or any shops. The graphic board is made from high pressure laminate and has a resin based superior writing surface for traditional chalk or liquid chalk pens. Discount Displays offer the widest range of pavement signs in the UKof all sizes and price points for every retail requirement
Show stopping feather flags
Feather flags are real showstoppers, and are ideal for many outdoor advertising. Unlike traditional flags, feather flags don't require wind to get your message across. Feather flags are idea for product launches and trade shows, car forecourts or to draw attention to your outdoor event. Feather flags can be free standing with a weighted base or, or stuck in the ground with a steel spike.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Choosing an Exhibition Display Graphics Supplier
Choosing an exhibition display graphics supplier can be an intimidating proposition, especially if you don’t have a lot of trade fair exhibition design experience. Here are some tips on choosing the right exhibition graphics vendor for your next trade show:
Quality – choosing a graphics supplier with in-house large format printing capabilities ensures that your exhibition stand graphics will be top quality, since the vendor will have total control over the printing process. Ask to see samples of the same size graphics you will be featuring in your trade fair exhibition stand; better yet, ask if they have a showroom so you can see the level of quality that will go into making your entire display an impactful statement of your branding strategy.
Experience – there is no substitute for experience, so choosing a vendor with many years of lLarge format printing experience – especially if you don’t have much yourself – can help you save time and money. Most experienced large format printing suppliers also offer their customers in-house design services, and post easy-to-understand instructions for formatting and uploading artwork via the Internet on their website.
Delivery – outstanding graphics suppliers pride themselves on delivering their products on time, every time and understand that missing a deadline is simply not an option. Reputable vendors will offer delivery of your exhibition stand displays and graphics directly to your trade fair site and will assist you with set-up and teardown. Going with a “one-stop shop” like Discount Displays virtually ensures you will have an on-time, trouble-free experience.
Price – exhibition graphics suppliers who serve a large volume of customers are generally able to provide better pricing since they purchase materials in bulk. Look for vendors who have already invested in the latest technology large format printing and production processes, which save both time and money and allow them to offer more competitive pricing to their clients.
For more insight into choosing the right exhibition display graphics supplier, contact the experts at Discount Displays on 0844 800 1020 or visit our website. Operating from a 7,000 sq. ft. factory in Croydon on the outskirts of London, Discount Displays has been in business for over 17 years and are specialists in large format printing, with a large in-house production facility and a 2,000 sq. ft. showroom that displays our comprehensive product line.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Why use PVC advertising banners
PVC banners have the ability to attract the attention of the many people occupying the streets and roads near or around your store. Just think about how many people are on the road in your area 7 days a week. And consider the power that a full color, large banner hung high for them to see will have on your business.
There are a number of places that you could put it – bridges, store fronts, railings, fences, or on the side of a building. These are only a few common places that you’ve probably seen PVC banners already. There are plenty of great advertising spots that you can take advantage of. Just be sure that you are considering the spot carefully to ensure it gets the most exposure.
You may have thought about using this type of signage for your business at one time or another for certain promotions. It’s actually simple to order your special promotions PVC banner online. This economical method of advertising allows you to save money while increasing your profits dramatically. Don’t let the affordable pricing fool you.
Here are a few ideas that you’ll want advertising banner printers for your business.
Christmas time is one of the biggest times of the year for shopping. Promote the store savings, product or service promotions or any other type of benefit that the customer will receive by shopping at your store.
You can have a number of banners designed and placed around your local and surround areas. This is going to be extremely beneficial.
Shopping online will help you to find the most competitive pricing. Just be sure that you check out the company before you purchase anything. This is easy to uncover and can potentially save you a good amount of frustration and money in the long run.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Environmentally Friendly Banner Printing
After a number of years development the problem has now been solved with the introduction of latex ink printers. HP have pioneered the use of Latex water base inks. The latex inks are pigmented, waterbased inks that produce vivid colours that are outdoor durable and oudourless. One early adapted of this eco friendly method of large format printing is the UK's leading display provider. Discountdisplays . Discountdisplays use the printer to print ofto a wide variety of materials including, self adhesive vinyl, mesh banner, biodegradable banner, textile banners, tyvek, flag metrial, and many types of paper including blue backed poster billboard paper.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
The Impact of Making an Impact
Friday, August 28, 2009
Promoting Your Promotion: 5 Tips to Help Promote Your Next Trade Show
- Forums/Trade Directories - ever read a forum, seen a comment with a link and follow it? If you approach the relevant sources (Google is your friend here) you will find a receptive audience for your promotion. You don't even have to include a link to your website, though if there's the option to I say do it! Just a couple of lines saying what your company does, and that you will be at a certain trade show is enough. Here is a great place to start.
- Facebook Events - hopefully you have a Facebook page for your company (if you don't, shame on you!). You may or may not be aware of the feature to set up an event. This contains the usual details such as when, where etc. but the key to this is to put relevant keywords into the title and description. Naming the event something like 'Company X @ Exhibition Y', will lead to getting hits for both your company name and the name of the show. You can invite everyone on your friends list, and what's nice is that Facebook give them a reminder on the side of their profile of any upcoming events, with the title you have just created.
- Viral Marketing - The most relevant form of this is the YouTube video. It has to be short, and capture the general populus imagination. One of the most viewed videos of all-time is a skateboarding dog! Imagine how simple that is to create, and how many millions of people have seen it. On YouTube you have two options of promoting your event; in the main video screen, though this is less likely to be embraced by the public, or the less intrusive method is to announce it in the description. If it works, not only are you promoting your next trade show, but also your brand as a whole. The key to viral marketing is to not push it too much. E-mail a few of your friends telling them to check it out, and if you've got it right it should spread like wildfire. Most importantly be creative. Here is an example of a great piece of viral marketing on YouTube.
- Write a Blog - as you can see, you don't need to be the next Oscar Wilde to write a blog. There are lots of free ones to use, such as the one this is written on; Blogspot or create one on your site. Over time you will build up a following (put a link on your Facebook page for instance), and what better place to announce your next trade show!
- Word of Mouth - as you might have noticed, I'm a huge fan of Internet marketing, but often the best way of increasing awareness is word of mouth. Now, hopefully the techniques listed above will generate word of mouth promotion for you, but next time you meet a client/customer why not just mention you will be attending 'Exhibition X'. In fact tell EVERYONE you meet, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. If you talk to people in your industry, you will likely hear a response of, "Actually, I'm going to that, I'll have a look out for you." and you've just got one more person interested in your stand for 5 seconds of work.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
A Display of Power: The trade show industry's fight-back against the recession
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Rules of Engagement
So you've bought all the components needed for attending a exhibition, you've spent time creating a design to make your stall stand out from the rest, and you've meticulously planned the logistics of getting to the event itself.
All this is great, but where many exhibitors fall down is that when it comes to crunch time, they do very little to actually interact with potential customers, and are content to let them just walk on by.
It is perplexing, and surprising, as a regular attendee of trade shows and exhibitions, to not be engaged even when I'm looking at the product or service on offer. To know how much effort has gone into exhibiting and to then not capitalise on it is a crying shame.
There are obvious, yet simple, ways to maximise the conversion rate of passers-by to potential customers:
- Make eye contact - I'm not talking about staring here, just catching somebody's eye can lead to them engaging you in conversation or for them to take a second look at your stall, enabling you to start your pitch.
- Preparation - a well known saying states "luck is where opportunity meets preparation", well this is your opportunity! Before you set off to your event, make a note of the key benefits of your product/service, any special offers for this event, anticipate objections and how you can overcome these, and if they aren't willing to commit instantly what measures do you have in place to follow-up with them (e.g. mailing list, contact details database, brochures/catalogues to take home).
- Mentality is the key - some people are gifted sales-people, but perhaps this isn't your forte. The key here is to change your mentality to 'what have I got to lose', or more importantly 'what have I got to gain'. If you see somebody walking past your stand without taking a second glance, and you don't actively engage them, the chances of them becoming a customer are roughly zero. If, however you take a moment to announce your product to that person, you never know what the outcome will be, hopefully a new customer, or at least a sign-up to your mailing list.
Bought to you by Discount Displays
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Slatwall Displays; an exhibitor's friend
Being able to hold poster frames, literature racks and product hooks, they are equally at home in retail environments, trade shows or reception areas.
They are also double sided meaning they have double the impact of regular wall mounted Slatwall displays.
Made from an anodised aluminium profile, and with optional LED lights, they are at the height of modern display design.
They come pre-assembled, which means you are up and ready in a matter of minutes. These Slatwall display stands are a versatile solution for displaying and promoting your business.
Visit www.discountdisplays.co.uk for more info.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
New money saving hints and tips
Saturday, April 11, 2009
School Signs or Books
Monday, February 23, 2009
UV flat bed sign printing
http://www.discountdisplays.co.uk/html/signs.html
Friday, November 28, 2008
Display Boards go green
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Banner Frames
Everyone is aware of banners and flags at outdoor shows but how do display banner and flags? Often banners can be displayed on existing structures such as fences or the sided of a tent but when these are not readily available your banners can be displayed using banner frames. These come in many different styles and sizes. Traditional portable banner frames often comprise a steel or aluminium sectional banner frame that uses key clam corner fittings. Fairly lightweight, easy to transport they take a few minutes to put up. These banner frames can be single or double sided and are free standing. If the wind gets up then can be weighted to the ground or ground pegs can be used.
New pop up banner frames are proving popular, smaller but lighter and easy to transport but only suitable for fairly large qualtities of banners. These banner frames are double sided and can be weighted down.
The larger the banner the harder it can be to display if the wind speed increases. For displaying large banners water based banner frames are popular. They have limitations but allow a large eyecatching presence.
Exhibition Graphics - tips
Exhibition Graphics Tips
- Image is every thing - Use High quality resolution images Simple headings that “pack a punch!” you only have seconds to attract attention
- Keep main body copy/words to a minimum
- Use a Call to action
- Red on white is easiest to read
- Pop Up Stands – Give a large area to make a visula impact.
- Banner Stands – Used at the front of a stand they can attract passers by.
- Vinyl Banners - visit Vinyl Banners
- Design Tips Ensure promotional literature branding and style complements large displays
- Consider the position of your graphics carefully at events to maximise visibility
- Plan ahead and avoid missed opportunities Get design advice from professionals