How To Market Your Ethical Business Effectively At Green Events

[katej]

I've recently written an article about how to market your business at green events. (http://greenfinder.co.uk/articles/how-to-market-your-business-effectively-at-green/) Whilst it wont be appropriate for those seasoned pros who are used to the green event circuit it may well be very useful to those eco-businesses who are new to exhibiting at events or for those of you who have only attended a few shows but would like to improve on their performance.

I've posted the article here if you'd like to read it. (http://greenfinder.co.uk/articles/how-to-market-your-business-effectively-at-green/)

Thanks
Kate

[gibby]

Hi Kate, nice article & some good tips there- most useful, Thank you.

One thing that does amaze me at events like this is the amount of exhibitors who sit behind the table & don't make eye contact with potential customers. Almost every event I attend there will be a few of these.

I agree you don't want to be scaring customers away but just asking a simple question to get a customer filling in a competition form works well as an ice breaker. Even giving away free sweets really works. Its no good being shy at these events but I understand why employees don't liek doing them.

The other thing that happens often is exhibitors stand there talking to the business beside them all day rather than customers.

Events like these can be a great way to spread the word & even take orders on the day. I often find small businesses avoid using them as they will do one event, not get a good response & write it off as a waste of time.

I would be interested to know what works for other firms at these sort of events? Do you just look to promote you business or do you look to make sales on the day?

We do try to cover the cost of the stall on the day by selling items that are easy to move but you can't do this at every type of event.

G

[katej]

Thanks Gibby, glad you found it useful.

Yes I'm amazed at people that write off events after one bad experience. The first green fair we exhibited at attracted about 20 visitors and was a complete write off in terms of public exposure, however it was a great opportunity for networking and we still have clients on our books that are still with us three years later so we were still glad we went along.

One lady I chatted to recently was just starting up a business and was attending a fair that weekend. She basically said that she would see what the response would be to her products to see if her business would be viable. I thought that was a bit of a drastic measure as certain events can work well for one business but not for another and relying on one event to see if your business is going to be successful is not the best way to judge.

Kate

[gibby]

We had a similar thing last year where we organised an event & I let a new little business come along for free to help them get some sales.

They sat there for 2 hours, didnt talk to any of the potential customers although a few bought just from looking at the goods on the table.
The dissappeared off early & then complained to me about it costing them money to travel to the event & that I had wasted their time.

They then got offered another event with an estimated 15k people attending & they refused saying green events were a waste of time.

G

[katej]

yes, we had someone like that our last fair. One lady seemed to be scowling everytime I looked over and even some of the visitors commented on it.
Guess who was the only stallholder that complained that it had been quiet?

[covkimbo]

I do believe i was at that event and think i know who you mean!! It wasn't me! I'm all smiley!! Great article Kate Thanks

[katej]

tee hee.... no it certainly wasn't you!!!!

[joelietz]

Thanks for the info, I wouldn't have a clue, to be frank, about how to market myself at green events. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

I've recently written an article about how to market your business at green events. Whilst it wont be appropriate for those seasoned pros who are used to the green event circuit it may well be very useful to those eco-businesses who are new to exhibiting at events or for those of you who have only attended a few shows but would like to improve on their performance.



Thanks
Kate

[Tom hanks]

Hello katej,
I had checked your link. Your style of presentation is very impressive. The meaningful contribution of your mind reflects on those people who are looking for new ideas and informations regarding Business effectively at green events. You make some very informative points.

Thank you for sharing it with us.
cuttingedgehomes

[handyal]

Great website with lots of very useful information for our new business. Just spent the last hour looking around and bookmarked for further reading.

[asavasamuel]

Eco business helps us to make the world a better place. It’s a chance for anyone concerned about the environment to learn how to lead more sustainable life. We can all make a real difference to the future of the planet by making simple such as cutting down on waste, changing to a renewable energy supplier and buying green/fair trade products etc. Global warming increases day to day and its the future generation that will suffer the effects of pollution and deforestation. Enviromentalists are pushing for enviroment friendly sources of energy,proper means of waste disposal and conservation of the environment.

[Tork UK]

Thanks for that Katej!!
It’s a great site… It’s given me a lot of food for thought. I work with Tork UK who are very much on the eco-friendly and sustainable side of the business fence, so I might bring up some of the ideas at work to see what people think. :)
Chris