The Best Promotional Giveaways for Trade Shows: The Three C’s
Jenny Schweyer
Participating in a trade show is an excellent way to give your business a high degree of exposure. Hundreds of trade shows are held around the country every month, so the opportunities are rife. Of course, there will hundreds of other businesses showcasing their services and wares along with you. Some of these businesses may even be your direct competitors. The trick is getting your business to stand out above the rest. One way to do this is to literally put your business into the hands of trade show visitors by distributing promotional giveaways with your business information and logo on them.
Promotional items give visitors a tangible reminder of your products, services, or the conversation that you or your staff may have had with them. Promotional giveaways are arguably one of the most effective forms of advertising for two reasons. First, handing a customer a promotional giveaway is a form of direct advertising. As a business owner or manager, you have a few seconds to a few minutes to make a direct and personal impact on a trade show visitor. A fruitful and informative conversation about your business topped off with that tangible reminder you hand out is advertising that is more likely to be remembered later on. Second, promotional giveaways are economical. Many promotional items can be purchased for mere pennies or dollars per unit, making them affordable even for small businesses.
One of the main concerns that business owners have when it comes to promotional giveaways for trade shows is transporting them. Trying to transport large and unwieldy boxes of promotional items even short distances can be problematic. It can be double trouble if the items are fragile or breakable. Cargo space is almost always limited when traveling to trade shows, whether by airplane or vehicle. Business owners need promotional giveaways that not only help distinguish them from their competitors, but don’t take up too much precious cargo space.
The best promotional giveaways for trade shows are those that are small, compact, not easily breakable and economical. So the next time you plan to participate in a trade show, try one or more of these suggestions for the best promotional giveaways for trade shows. Since they all begin with “C” they’ll be easy to remember:
* Computer items. Computers are an essential part of every business and home alike. Computer-related promotional giveaways like mouse pads, USB hubs, flash drives and disc holders are economical and lightweight. Plus, they’re practical for almost every type of computer-user.
* Calculators. Calculators are inexpensive (many are five dollars or less per unit) and useful. Carabiner-style calculators and ruler calculators are unusual enough to make a memorable impression on the receiver, and small enough for you to transport easily.
* Calendars. Everyone needs at least one. Whether it’s a wall calendar, pocket calendar or day-planners, calendars are handy promotional giveaways for most every kind of person. Plus, they’re light and compact.
Take advantage of every trade show that comes to your city. Few opportunities compare to the exposure that trade shows will give to your business. When you do, arm yourself with promotional giveaways from the three “C’s.”
Jenny Schweyer is a freelance writer from the Pacific Northwest.