A Simple Guide to Making Connections at Conventions

Conventions are an excellent marketing and networking tool for many small to medium-sized businesses. When managed properly, conventions provide a great opportunity to attract customers, learn more about potential partners or vendors, and build a database of potential leads for the future. The largest conventions may put thousands of prospects within arms' reach of you, while smaller events offer the opportunity to mix and mingle with peers on a more intimate level.

If you're considering attending a convention, you need to start planning today. Learn how to choose the right event, what you need to keep in mind when networking, the importance of your booth, and what you should aim to offer those who stop by. Once you have these details under control, you'll be ready to make a lasting impression at your big event!

The Big Decision

There are a huge number of conventions and conferences each year -- most likely, more than one applicable to your industry or line of business. Choosing the right convention to attend is a big decision. Spend some time looking over the available information. How many other businesses similar to your own do you think will be attending?

In some cases, you may do better attending a smaller convention or one that doesn't specifically target those in your industry. You want a convention that will give you the chance to network with those who may utilize your product or service, as well as those who offer products you can use. However, if you can get your foot in the door of a convention where you won't have many direct competitors, you may be able to obtain leads that are more valuable.

Networking

While at the convention, put less emphasis on making sales and closing deals and more on making connections, building leads, and networking. Decide ahead of time which events you will attend and which you'll fore go in order to operate your booth in person. If there are any social events, use them to reach out and speak to those you consider potential partners for the future.

Booth Matters

Your booth in the dealer or vendor area is an important marketing tool. Clearly, you want to keep it neat, orderly, and attractive to those who pass by. Additionally, you may want to offer something unique or special to encourage people to make the effort to come see you. Outside of attracting potential visitors, you want to make the booth experience "work." Make sure you're staffed with knowledgeable personnel and that you have samples, demonstrations, and (possibly) videos available, so you can showcase the key benefits your products and services provide.

The Takeaway

Whether you network with a potential client at a social event or an interested party stops by your booth, you want to provide a way for people to get in touch with you after the event. Start by making sure your business card stands out from the dozens of other cards attendees will pick up at the show. Have some brochures or handouts available, too. These will allow you to share more detailed information.

Collect key contact information from booth visitors, too, including email addresses, phone numbers, and social media profiles. Then, when the event is over, immediately make contact yourself. The goal is to build relationships that will be mutually beneficial now and in the future.

As you can see, there's more to think about when attending a convention as a professional than just putting on your name badge and showing up. Spend time planning for the big day (or weekend), and maximize the return on your investment of time and effort.



Posted by Chuck Gherman

To contact Chuck Gherman for more information about how Printing Arts Press helps organizations with marketing their needs through print communications please visit www.printingartspress.com.

What a Little Red Muppet Can Teach Us

Do your children love Elmo? Depending on their ages, chances are they do. Few things bring more delight to children across the country than seeing the furry red character come on screen to sing or explore with children during the special segment, "Elmo's World."

Elmo is known for his fun loving personality, his friendship with the other characters, and his tendency to use the third person, even when referring to himself. Elmo is a Sesame Street phenomenon, a favorite among preschoolers, and a popular toy and collectible as well. What many fans don't realize, however, is how close Elmo came to never even having a name.

Elmo comes to life

The voice actor Kevin Clash is largely credited for creating Elmo. Although the Muppet had been in use in the 1970s, it was difficult for other members of the cast to create a real personality and background for the little red guy. When Clash took over in the early 1980s, the story behind Elmo began to develop. He developed the personality quirks and voice for the character, and the writers began to be inspired to write the background and story for Elmo.

Clash began to bring Elmo to television appearances, and eventually Elmo became famous for even testifying before Congress. As Elmo grew in fame off the screen, he also began playing a much larger role on the show itself. The segment "Elmo's World" arrived in the 1990s, along with the famous Tickle-Me-Elmo doll and a variety of other popular movies and toys. Now it's impossible to imagine Sesame Street without him.

You wouldn't know from the number of books, movies, toys, and television appearances centered around Elmo how close the world came to never meeting this famous red character. The same could be said for any business or startup. Every new company can identify with the little red Muppet, sitting in the corner without much of a personality or backstory, but still trying to get out on the main stage.

The trick to success is to take what Elmo has taught us: that with determination, animation, love, and perseverance we can all make it to the top. No one handed Kevin Clash and Elmo their success. It was born out of inspiration and creativity. These qualities can help any company develop the reputation they need to become leaders.

Even though Elmo did not really make his way to the front and center until more than a decade after the show had begun, he has still gained a solid position as one of the main voices of Sesame Street.

In much the same way, no industry is ever entirely filled or has leaders so established that a newcomer cannot become an industry great. This should inspire those trying to break into their respective industries and remind those who are at the top that they should never take their position for granted. All companies should be working to remain on the cutting edge of what customers need.

Elmo is the furry red Muppet that has captured the hearts of children and adults for over two decades. While children may learn lessons from him about sharing and being a good friend, adults, too, can take away ideas that may help lead them in the business world. Elmo has asserted himself as an industry leader directly due to his creativity and determination, and he should serve as an icon of what these qualities can accomplish today for all of us.


Posted by Chuck Gherman

To contact Chuck Gherman for more information about how Printing Arts Press helps organizations with marketing their needs through print communications please visit www.printingartspress.com.

How to Make Networking as Easy as Child's Play

Networking is an important aspect of the professional world on many levels. If you're in sales or marketing, you network to find more clients, meet potential connections, and even find other companies you might collaborate with on a project one day. Those searching for a job have continuously heard how critical networking can be for finding the right fit.

Unfortunately, many of us find networking stressful. After all, it involves going up to people we've never met before, introducing ourselves, making small talk, and selling ourselves and our skills, all at the same time. While it may become more natural with practice, for most people it never becomes an easy process. Except, of course, for the under ten years old crowd.

While at the park the other day, two very young girls made eye contact and instantly became friends. Without so much as an introduction, they both stopped their respective games, took off toward the slide, and took turns racing each other around the playground. The mothers remarked how easy it is to find friends when you don't even have to worry about making small talk. How do kids do it?

They're confident.

Most little children don't know too much about rejection just yet. When they approach a new potential friend, they don't worry about being told 'no.' The child is having fun, they know they're having fun, and they would enjoy it if the other child joined them. If the other child doesn't want to, however, it really won't affect the fun the first child is already having.

Business leaders need to adapt this attitude. Are you good at what you do? Do you have something important to bring to the business world? If so, be confident in those skills. Present them to new connections, and offer those folks the chance to work with you. But remember that a refusal is their loss, and don't let it discourage you. Approach the next potential connection with the same enthusiasm.

They have something concrete in mind.

When children run up to another child on the playground, they don't agree to play together and then idly stare at each other. Like the two little girls, they race off toward the slide or begin digging in the mud. When one child asks another to play, they already have some great activities to get started with.

When approaching another business professional, know some concrete ways you could help them directly. If you develop a software program, when the conversation turns toward business, discuss their current software situation as well as the needs of the company and how your product or expertise might be able to help.

They aren't pushy.

Like adults, all kids have different personalities. Sometimes one child is shy or may not want to play with other kids on that particular day. If one child says they don't want to play, that typically is the end of the discussion. The inquiring child will retreat or find someone else to play with.

Networking professionals must also find this balance. No one appreciates a connection who's overly pushy, even after they're told their products or services aren't needed right now. Professionals also tend to dislike those who seem more interested in making sales instead of making more genuine connections. You should make sure to always handle rejection smoothly and, when at networking events, focus more on meeting people. The sale can always come later.

Networking is undoubtedly an art. It requires confidence, eloquence, and the ability to form connections with other professionals to grow businesses and help people find the perfect position for their talents. Imagining a networking event to be a playground for adults can help you overcome your fears and approach the others in attendance easier and with confidence.


Posted by Chuck Gherman

To contact Chuck Gherman for more information about how Printing Arts Press helps organizations with marketing their needs through print communications please visit www.printingartspress.com