Should I be embarrassed to exhibit on by myself at an event?

[Denchr]

:|


I am thinking about booking a stand at a local business event. There will be around 100 exhibitors and around 600/800 attendees. As I am a one-man-band and don’t really have anyone I know that could confidently talk about our service in that kind of scenario I would have to attend and exhibit by myself.


I am just thinking though, will it be a little embarrassing to stand there by myself? I’ve looked at all the images from last year on the website and in all the pics there are 2/3 people on every stand…


Hmmmmmm any advice guys?

 

[alasdair1982]

Embarressed is the wrong word... Your probably just a little nervous which is normal.

A few years ago i attended the motorbike show at Alexander Palace selling pop up awnings when they became affordable and readily available. I was tucked away in the corner and i too was alone. Fortunately i was next to the bar and a few folk who were getting drinks took to the idea of having an awning in their garden when they have mates round and i sold quite a few from that.

Although a little daunting and nervous you just have to get on with it, You won't feel embarressed if you rope in a few good customers from the show.

Dont worry about other exhibiters cause if they notice your on your own they obviously have to much time on their hands being noisey instead of selling.

I think you just need to suck it and see

good luck

 

[businessfunding]

Absolutely no reason to be embarrassed. You are a young business doing what it takes

However it might be useful to rope in friends or family just to capture people and information.

It's lall about the follow up!

 

[WHARTY]

If i saw you standing on your own i would think: He/she has balls and has confidence in themselves and the service they are offering. That would transpire well to a customer.

The other people you see are safe in numbers and in some cases i won't approach them because sometimes you feel the selling will be too much.

Seriously, just chill and enjoy the day. You will feel great at the end of the day when you have got some new customers.

 

[toastking]

If you need moral support couldn't you rope somebody else in just to be there to hand you materials etc?

Out of interest what do you offer?

 

[fisicx]

Wear a bikini and kitten ears. You will get loads of visitors.

I tried it and got arrested. Might be 'cos I'm over fifty, flabby and a bloke.

 

[GeorgeM]

Ofcourse not. Exhibiting at such an event means you get to personally meet potential customers and discover their level of interest in your products, which in turn can help ensure you are selling the right products!

 

[Swisaw]

Really you don't need to be embarrassed but try to make your stand eye-catching with some balloons and other things.

Good luck.

 

[SetupaCompany]

To be honest I cant say I have ever really noticed if I go to a stand that only has one person - it's never really something that's occurred to me.

Even if I did notice it I think I would just assume the other person is off looking around or attending a presentation or something.

There is nothing wrong with being a small business though, the only people you will put off are the ones you don't want to work with anyway!

 

[SetupaCompany]

Just thinking on this, I wonder if there are any companies that offer 'trade show exhibition attendance' as a service?

You pay someone to attend a show with you to help run the stand and showcase your business. They would have to spend time getting up to speed with your offering and what you want to achieve but I wonder if there would be a demand for such a service?

 

[HorseLatitudes]

It's been mentioned already but being alone might work in your favour.

There's nothing worse than approaching a pack of salesmen (it's ok I can say that, I am one) whether they're directly trying to sell you something or not.

I'd much rather speak to a lone person, someone who looks like they will engage me rather than just try and flog me something, anything.

Obviously the two choices aren't mutually exclusive but yet get my point.

 

[GraemeL]

: Hmmmmmm any advice guys?

Hello,

Three things to mention that might help.

One - how do you behave when you go to an exhibition? What draws you onto a stand? Unless I have a specific stand to visit I usually walk around quite quickly glancing left and right. Only if my interest is caught would I go on a stand - so that means there should be something to get my attention. It could be the product, a sign/message, or a person. The last of these, the person, is the key. How they dress, how they stand, how they react to the passing audience. The visitor to an exhibition will have a quick glance at the 'staff' on a stand and make up their mind in an instant whether or not they will take an interest.

Two - you are on a stage. You are not in a shop where you know you have a potential customer, you are in an environment where there could be loads of people interested if you could grab their attention, but if you don't grab it they are lost in seconds. So the basics are always to look attentive, look at passing visitors in the eye, never sit down, never stand with arms folded, have something for the visitor to 'get hold off' (Literally that, be it your product, a leaflet, a drink). Dress more smartly than your visitor. Don't have any rubbish, including empty cups, on display.

Three - you are on a stage (repeat) so you need to be an actor. In most cases you will need to be more gregarious than when in your working environment. You cannot wait for visitors to come to you. If you mess up with a couple of visitors, don't worry, learn and move on. Be bold -go onto the gangway and 'drag' them onto your stand.

Hope some of this helps.

Where is this exhibition? I might visit to see if its worth us having a go another time.

best of luck

G

 

[Moneyman]

One person is never enough. Never underestimate how tiring these things are. Rope in a friend or hire someone for a day to help. They don't have to know much more than your name and what you do. A third person as a runner is also very useful. sandwiches or getting a new pen when yours runs out (could be the moment a big buyer comes past.) don't eat at the stand but have a couple of mars bars tucked away...you will need it.
If you are speaking to one person you have to have someone else taking names and emails of interested people and handing out leaflets.
definitely take a pad of forms to fill out as you speak to people and take their cards so you remember them. Or by the end you will have a few cards and a complete jumble of memories of everyone that expressed interest.
most secretarial firms have people who will have people who can do the job. but don't go down the pretty bimbo routine as it doesn't help with proper sales.

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Just thinking on this, I wonder if there are any companies that offer 'trade show exhibition attendance' as a service?

You pay someone to attend a show with you to help run the stand and showcase your business. They would have to spend time getting up to speed with your offering and what you want to achieve but I wonder if there would be a demand for such a service?

Nice idea - however that third party would have to know all about your business and answer any technical questions.
Would they have authority to agree orders ? Or do you just see them handing out leaflets and ball point pens?

 

[SetupaCompany]

Nice idea - however that third party would have to know all about your business and answer any technical questions.
Would they have authority to agree orders ? Or do you just see them handing out leaflets and ball point pens?

It's only just occurred to me so haven't thought it through!

However, my initial thought is that they would spend some time getting to know your business so they can at least explain it and answer basic questions.

The idea is they would attend the exhibition with a qualified member of staff so there is always the expert there to answer more advanced questions but the service provided is to help cope with demand and pull in more visitors to the stand.

Ideally they would help to generate a plan for the exhibition and come up with ideas to get people to the stand and grab their contact details. So it becomes a full consultation and attendance package.

I wouldn't think they would necessarily have the authority to agree orders, although in my experience most exhibitions are used to collect leads anyway and turned in to orders post-show so that wouldn't matter too much.

 

[WHARTY]

It's only just occurred to me so haven't thought it through!

However, my initial thought is that they would spend some time getting to know your business so they can at least explain it and answer basic questions.

The idea is they would attend the exhibition with a qualified member of staff so there is always the expert there to answer more advanced questions but the service provided is to help cope with demand and pull in more visitors to the stand.

Ideally they would help to generate a plan for the exhibition and come up with ideas to get people to the stand and grab their contact details. So it becomes a full consultation and attendance package.

I wouldn't think they would necessarily have the authority to agree orders, although in my experience most exhibitions are used to collect leads anyway and turned in to orders post-show so that wouldn't matter too much.

Maybe it's something the exhibition companies could offer as an added service?

What do virtual receptionists do? Those people that answer calls on your companies behalf. Could they have it as an add-on service? they would already know the company through answering calls?

 

[SetupaCompany]

Maybe it's something the exhibition companies could offer as an added service?

What do virtual receptionists do? Those people that answer calls on your companies behalf. Could they have it as an add-on service? they would already know the company through answering calls?

Yep I agree, I don't think its a standalone business but could be a nice add-on service for the right business. I guess ideally based in London given thats where most conferences are!

 

[FirstClassVirtualOffice]

Sometimes the event organisers have people who can help you out at your stand. Helps when you need the toilet or to go get a coffee. If you have kit like a laptop, use one of those kensington locks to lock it down to something stable if you can. But ideally, take a friend or even a family member with you for helping you out.

We have always taken a cool box and a flask of hot water so if we find it difficult to leave, we have hot and cold drinks and some snacks to hand. It can be a long day.

Worse thing you can do is sit down behind a table all day and smile at people as they walk by (or worse, not even look at them). Walk about, stand in front of any tables and engage people with leaflets, put out a bowl of sweets and cans of pop and bottles of water on your table to encourage people there. It gets you chatting and the cost is small if you buy the stuff in multi packs from those cheap shops like Poundland or B&M.

Also try a competition. Get people to fill in their details to win something like an ipod or other likeable gadget or even a freebie of what you sell by doing a draw from the names at the end of the day.

 

[SetupaCompany]

Also try a competition. Get people to fill in their details to win something like an ipod or other likeable gadget or even a freebie of what you sell by doing a draw from the names at the end of the day.

Yes that's a good idea although ideally you should try and give away something related to your product or service so that you pull in and collect details from prospective customers and not just freebie seekers!

 

[arcon5]

Take two coffee cups,
Put them on the table,

People will think your co-part has gone for a (very long) tinkle -

 

[MOIC]

:|


I am thinking about booking a stand at a local business event. There will be around 100 exhibitors and around 600/800 attendees. As I am a one-man-band and don’t really have anyone I know that could confidently talk about our service in that kind of scenario I would have to attend and exhibit by myself.

The owner of the business on the stand...................that's exactly how it should be !

Any questions from potential customers will be answered correctly and with confidence.

Good luck.....................and get loads of sales!

 

[VanillaOnlineAccountancy]

Go for it - There will always be someone to talk to so I wouldn't worry about it. Anyway, there is nobody to better sell your business than you!

 

[beasty]

Advice is do not do it

Sorry but you cannot do this yourself, what happens when two people arrive at once?

How about 3 or 4?

You at the very least need someone to dish out leaflets whilst you talk, take emails, contacts, business cards, talk about anything

You are going to end up rushing to finish with person A whilst Person B waits

NOW

Some can pull this off but a rare person

Just tap your cane on something and address them as a group!
Stand on a box

Advice, it can be done, but doing it on your own should be a last choice

P.S. when you go the bathroom leave a cardboard cutout so your booth is no empty

 

[arcon5]

Advice is do not do it

Sorry but you cannot do this yourself, what happens when two people arrive at once?

How about 3 or 4?

You at the very least need someone to dish out leaflets whilst you talk, take emails, contacts, business cards, talk about anything

You are going to end up rushing to finish with person A whilst Person B waits

NOW

Some can pull this off but a rare person

Just tap your cane on something and address them as a group!
Stand on a box

Advice, it can be done, but doing it on your own should be a last choice

P.S. when you go the bathroom leave a cardboard cutout so your booth is no empty

Don't do it, in case you get too much interest.

What nonsense

Although I'd agree a second person would be ideal, to advice against doing it simply because of this is poor advice IMO.

If most sole traders applied this logic we'd never have any independents in b&m stores for example, they often work on their own.
We'd also never see the likes of AA promotional stands etc if this logic was applied.

The result is more like you get 10 leads instead of 20. Yet 10 is better than 0!

 

[SkoshBusiness]

I have worked on many stands during my time working for huge IT companies and it can get tiring so if at all possible get some to go along with you. That person does not need to know much about your business but can take details of customer B whilst you speak to customer A.

What I did was get forms made to capture customer information including what they're interested in and their level of interest. For me it was better to get leads than try to make sales on the day but this is dependant on your product.

To encourage this would be a competition to win an iPad or iPod to be drawn one week after the event. (It doesn't have to be an iPad, it depends on the value of what you're selling so a £20 iTunes voucher may suffice.)

Sweets and Lollipops are great as most people feel compelled to listen to your pitch in exchange for a treat.

I say go for it and good luck!!! Once you do one, you will be better prepared for the next one and before you know it you'll be a pro!!

 

[MOIC]

Given that the OP has indicated that it is a small exhibition (600-800 Attendees), I think one person can more than handle any enquiries.

Whilst it is preferable to have 2 people (bathroom etc), it is not essential.

I have done many fairs and exhibitions, where a fair of this size allows you to be friendly with your neighbour and accordingly can help each other if things get busy, or need help to keep an eye for 5 minutes or so.

600-800 Attendees is not a large exhibition, by any means and I suspect most exhibitors will be standing around talking with each other.

 

[simon field]

There really can be no substitute for 'in at the deep end' IMHO

 

[JamieM]

You definitely shouldn't be embarrassed.

Is it your web design business yeah?

Why don't you hire a promo girl and have her hand out leaflets. Whilst she might not be able to talk in detail about your services, she can keep people chatting whilst they wait to speak to you if necessary.

 

[dooyoo]

I hear what you are saying about embarrassed. I kind thought the same thing for myself first time I went to a show, as it felt I am small and little and no one will be interested. But now I have realised that it is advantage, you can beat any competition on overhead and straight talking to a shoot caller. If someone will not want to deal with you, just screw them, you do not want to deal with them either.

 

[simon field]

...you can beat any competition on overhead and straight talking to a shoot caller.

Could you clarify that please?

If someone will not want to deal with you, just screw them

And isn't that a tad harsh / extreme?

 

[Jeff FV]

Do it - but make sure you wear comfy shoes!

 

[Denchr]

Some really great advice here guys thanks so much.

It is not a massive event but it is local so it is really great for me to meet lots of local businesses.

I am just going to go with the flow even if I dont get many leads at least it will prepare me for the next one! :redface:

I will post some pics and let you know how it went, its in 2 weeks.

Thanks All

 

[The_Bag_Supplier_Ltd]

Do it, do it, do it. You won't be so nervous the next time.

A number of years ago I was on a stand at the NEC Birmingham for three days. The first day I dressed in a suit, shirt and tie and it was a lousy day, plenty of people but not many approaching. That night I went out on the town to drown my day's sorrow and didn't get back to the hotel until 4am despite the fact that I had to be at the NEC at 6.30am!

As you might imagine, at 6.30am I did not look my best (in fact terrible). I dressed in a hurry splashed cold water on my face, sprayed on the ol' Lynx and ran to the NEC forgetting my suit jacket and tie.

Feeling very tired and bedraggled I kicked myself in the proverbial, rolled up my sleeves and decided to make the best of what looked to be a bad day ahead.

Immediately the show opened people flocked to my stand and I had the best day possible and took leads which turned into a lot of money.

I realised that (somehow) I must have appeared more approachable (or like some poor wretch needing urgent cash). So the third day I dressed in the same way and again did very well. I was too busy to be nervous and managed to blag my way through any embarrassingly unanswerable questions.

In short... it was a great experience.

If you are confident you know your stuff and/or that your product is worth its money then you have nothing to feel nervous about.

Good Luck and Have Fun

 

[Rickenvisage]

Absolutely no reason to be embarrassed I agree with WHARTY. It will show to potential clients that you are serious and have the confidence in your business and yourself.

And as for hiring people to man your stand I've seen a service that offers models to dress in branded clothing at the show you're attending

 

[businessfunding]

. If someone will not want to deal with you, just screw them, .

In my experience some people are reluctant to do that.

Seriously, take a secondary way to capture data such as the old favourite card in a jar to win a bottle of Champagne

Be sure to get good info off the people you do talk to.

 

[Concept Vehicle Leasing]

What I have found with trade shows and events is that you really do warm up to it all. It is brilliant fun and a great learning experience. You know your business better than anyone so just go for it! You will be fine and with all the people looking around you will not be alone for long.