On occasion in looking for guest bloggers, someone really stands out. Nina replied with a suggested blog attached. Now how is that for up front value added? Because trade shows can be a goldmine for sales prospecting, an introvert definitely wants to consider having that in a marketing plan. Here are Niña Angeli Pilapil’s top ideas to make it as effective as possible.
The Introvert’s Guide In Organizing A Trade Show Event
Does the sound of interacting and mingling with dozens of potential customers in a trade show terrify you? If you’re one of those people who get cold feet in the thought of having lots of people gathered for an advertising event, yet is tasked to organize one, then you definitely need a guide in planning and preparing a successful trade show. You need some tips on how to execute a memorable and effective marketing strategy that wouldn’t get in the way of your personality. After all, marketing events are usually all about meeting and greeting lots of people, and if you’re in the introvert side, then you would have a problem.
However, your personality and character need not get in the way of marketing success. There is always an effective way to handle situations like this. The secret lies in knowing your strengths, playing true to your strengths or forte, and delegating responsibilities to capable individuals.
Tips In Planning Trade Shows For Introverts
Introverts tend to be more reserved and are very particular with their privacy. They don’t really care much for group activities and would rather spend time working alone. Thus, it might be difficult to make some adjustments because events involving large crowds aren’t really your thing. Here are some pointers to make the task bearable for you:
1. Form marketing committees.
The best way to handle this situation is to form committees and delegate seemingly difficult activities to more capable workers. Some suggested committees would be logistics, refreshments, marketing instruments, and others. Make sure to appoint a qualified person to serve as a leader for each committee.
2. Take on tasks or assignments that you are highly knowledgeable or passionate about.
If you don’t feel like mingling around during the event, you can opt to take on other tasks like theme conceptualization, logo designing, and other activities that are more appropriate for your skills and personality.
3. Incorporate introvert-friendly activities in the marketing event.
Not all people who go to trade shows or marketing events are extroverts. Like you, there might be introverts out there so you need to cater to their needs too. Think of activities that would be ideal for them. You can set up some gadgets where online games and energizers may be played.
4. Prepare an evaluation or assessment report of the affair.
Introverts are more inclined to do analytical and solitary activities. You can contribute further to the overall success of the marketing campaign by making an assessment of the event and presenting it to the team. This way, you can give recommendations as to how future marketing events should be held based on the outcome of the one that was just concluded.
Trade show events are ideal venues for marketing and advertising. While these events are dominated by highly sociable and genial people, introverts can also have a hand in its success. It’s just a matter of making the most out of your natural talents. Are you willing to offer your many introvert skills for the success of your next marketing campaign?
Niña Angeli Pilapil specializes in writing about promotional products. She is the official blogger and writer for Promopeddler.com, a leading promotional items online seller. Novels interest this petite lady who also loves singing and watching movies in her spare time. She also loves anything that’s made of chocolates, especially the dark kind. Her Twitter account is httpss://twitter.com/ninsbonita.
Trade shows and seminars are great for networking.
But you need to know who you should get hold of. The majority of people who attend are a waste of time. So find the people you are targetting and then face your fear and do it anyway.Action is the great antidote to fear.
It’s like everything in life. It’s the first step that is the hardest – and scariest. If you want to beat your fears, you need to take the first step — act, and then keep on going.
Great addition to the tips Catarina! Thanks.
a great way to network at seminars and at trade show luncheons is to make a list of people you NEED to meet. Then watch for them when they enter the room and sit beside one of them. Try to sit beside someone different at every event. This requires that you do your homework in advance but Catarina makes a good point when she says that the majority of people attending are a waste of time. You need to use your time wisely and focus on networking with the right people. I never fail to make at least one new friend at every seminar or luncheon.
Kay in Hawaii
Hi Patricia & Nina,
thanks for such some great tips. I’ve been attending and exhibiting at trade shows and it definitely helps if you can interact and do the work best suited to your strengths. I mean there are people who cant even converse but they are very good in coming up with ideas for promotion. I mean not its not a compulsion to be an extrovert but the main thing is to harness and use ones +ve and strong points.
@Kay I do believe that many of the trade show attendees might be tire kickers, so to speak. Like that idea of knowing who you need to meet.
@Pranay trade shows can for sure be productive for anyone who is willing to plan how to work one.
I’m an extrovert and, believe me, we can become overwhelmed at trade shows, too! At a trade show or any networking event, I don’t try to meet everyone there. I feel the event is a success if I make one very god connection. Of course, my goal is to make more than one, but if you set your goals too high, you’ll be disappointed. As Kay said, if you can get the attendance list in advance, then you can seek out the people you want to meet. Better yet, drop them a note before the meeting and ask if you can get together.
Hi Pat, the idea of taking on tasks that you are highly knowledgeable about if you don’t feel like mingling, is something I have done during events. I’ve never organized a tradeshow, but have attended them, and have been involved in large group events like this, and I have often found “quieter” things to do so that I didn’t have to do the mingling. What I have found, is that as I do this, over a couple of hours I start gaining confidence, after just being in the atmosphere, and am able to take on more of the tasks that require mingling. I guess I just need to “ease into” the idea of mingling, get used to all the activity that is going on, and then I am able to be a little more extroverted.
Jeannette, thanks for the pre-planning idea! That attendance list IS crucial if you can get it.
Bethany, I think “easing” into things does allow the introvert to practice and use more of the extroverted skills.