Sometimes, the idea of attending a trade show can be a little overwhelming.  How will I make a good impression?  How much literature should I hand out?  These are all questions that may be running through your head.  But if you follow these tips, you'll find that your trade show booth will be a success:

1.  Be inviting

At a lot of the trade shows I've attended, the most successful exhibitors are ones that invite attendees in.  Here's what I mean:  instead of standing behind a table, effectively cutting yourself off from the rest of the trade show, try eliminating the boundaries that a table creates.  You are the representative for your company or product, and you know it up and down.  Make yourself available; hop around to the front of the table and show everyone what you've got.  The trade show is meant to encourage interaction, not create limitations.

2.  Don't count on your brochure

It's a great idea to have some literature that will help reiterate your company, brand or product's message.  But many people count on their brochures to do all the talking.  Your literature should serve as supplemental information, not the only information.  Again, you know the details about your organization or item, so prove it.  Hand out literature only after an attendee has expressed interest.  You want to facilitate communication and a two-way information flow.

3.  Utilize giveaways

Making use of trade show giveaways is a fantastic way to bring the crowds over to your booth.  But make sure you're using them the right way; otherwise, potential clients may simply take your gift and run.  Handing out promotional keychains, for example, will certainly garner attention for your company or product.  But don't forget to imprint with your corporate name, logo, and contact information.  This way, your giveaway won't just serve as a freebie; it will also act as a business card!

Following these tips is a surefire way to ensure your booth at the next trade show is a success.  As you can see, there's no reason to feel anxious or stressed!  Just be yourself, be personable, and make connections.  Have fun!

How are you drawing people to your product?

It's a very simple question but the answer to this question can either make or break your company at a tradeshow. Because all too often, companies spend thousands of dollars for prime display space, travel and man-hours and employees spend their time behind the counter, twiddling thumbs and barely saying a word. I've seen it far too often and unless you have a product that is more innovative than the automobile or sliced bread, your tent is just another obstruction in an already crowded room.

Companies at tradeshows are successful if they have incentives, attention grabbers, promotional products and even people of the right attitude. While we at Motivators can't help your employees with their "please's" and "thank you's" Motivators products can certainly help out with getting everyone from new customers to tradeshow veterans checking out your display.

With over 50,000 SKUs for products available over the phone, online and in catalogs, Motivators has a promotional product for every budget and style. All you need is a logo and an idea and you'll have a promotional product incentive that will have people scrambling to get their hands on. And the more one-of-a-kind an item is, the more likely it'll stand out at a trade show. In the same way that two people might wear the same shirt or dress, nothing is more embarrassing than when two companies utilize the same promotional products at the same trade show. But don't be afraid to use the basics, such as promotional pens and promotional water bottles. While quite common at tradeshows, these items do work effectively. Another good idea might be choosing a promotional item that might turn heads as opposed to being directly correlated. In my days of working with a music magazine, I attended a tradeshow and handed out - of all things - promotional yo-yo's. Why? Because I knew that young people (and even those in their 50's and 60's) would play with the yo-yo. And if you didn't play with a yo-yo, you would still have a harder time throwing out something like a yo-yo over a promotional pen or promotional keychain.

Having a difficult time deciding what everyone might like? Motivators also sells some wild promotional download cards - cards that include complimentary music downloads, DVDs or even phone skins. As a company, all you have to do is purchase these cards and print your logo on the card. These cards stay in the wallet or purse until being redeemed and the joy of a new song, new cell phone cover or movie is forever associated with your name and brand. And with very few companies handing these out at tradeshows, it's almost guaranteed to be a hit.

And if that isn't enough for you, put on a show! There are even a few promotional products that can be used by your employees (or interns) to grab peoples' attention. For example, item #27978 is an item called Sonic Rocks. In addition to being incredibly strong magnets with an imprinted logo on the casing, the rocks make an electrifying sound when thrown in the air and join together. Or to visually entice, consider juggling promotional balls or promotional Frisbees. People are drawn by the unique and exciting - and nothing is more exciting than free promotional products and entertainment.

No matter how you choose to use them, promotional products put you ahead of the curve and will have people buzzing about your brand throughout the tradeshow.