Tips on how to portray myself/my company in face-to-face settings? (I need to go to trade fairs!)

[Marcos Millet]

Hi all,

Intro

So I'm setting up an online gift store, using suppliers who can offer me dropship/direct dispatch/white label (whatever you want to call it) service in order to fulfil my orders.

I'm new to the whole business world and am learning every day... so far, I've gained a decent enough inventory solely through e-mails and telephone calls.

My confidence was lacking even when I was sending my first business e-mails! Questions like "are they even going to take me seriously?" were going through my head. Quickly, I realised this isn't really the case. I've gained confidence in general as my business starts to take shape, but e-mails are easy as you can hide behind nicely laid out letter with neat headings, topped off with your logo in the signature and links to your social media. I need to start meeting face to face with peers, but really feel like I'm lacking confidence.

Any Tips?

I've heard trade fairs are a great way to gain suppliers and network. I know I have to conquer my fears, and I know I won't look back once I have, and I'll probably think I was creating a fuss over nothing. But, it's still daunting and I just want it to go well, prevent as many embarrassing moments as possible, and get some "do's" and "don'ts" from experienced people!

I've got my eyes on a few shows/fairs next year, in which I hope to gain new suppliers who can offer a dropship/direct dispatch/white label service. The first fair is the Toy Fair in London which runs 25th-28th January.

So, if anyone could offer general tips on what I should/shouldn't say? Is it okay for me to outright ask "So, do you offer a white label service?". What if I start using incorrect terminology, or I'm unsure on a term they just used - are they just going to think I'm a joke? What's the general procedure at these types of events - we exchange business cards and promise to get in touch (if we both like the sound of each others companies) - or even a proposition?


So any tips are hugely appreciated. It's time I take the next step as I can't reach my goals the way things currently are!


- Marcos

TLDR; I'm a newbie, but ecommerce store opening soon. Never spoke to anyone in a face-to-face setting regarding business (it's all been done online or over the phone). I need to start doing things face-to-face to take the business further, but need tips as confidence is lacking and unsure of dos and don'ts. Tips?

 

[Noah]

Don't forget the old wisdom : To avoid being intimidated by others, visualise them in their underwear - sitting on the toilet if necessary.

Works every time.

That's also why YOU should ensure you have clean underwear yourself - you wouldn't want them to visualise you in dirty underwear, would you?

 

[Mr D]

Dress smartly if you want - and wear comfortable shoes or boots. Trade fairs have a lot of walking.

Figure out what you want.

"dropship/direct dispatch/white label (whatever you want to call it) service in order to fulfil my orders."

Those are potentially 3 different things. Different requirements and order quantities. Most companies in my experience won't do all 3.

Get nice business cards done (most printing places will do them or get some from Vistaprint). Exchange business cards with suppliers before walking away.

The staff do tend to be approachable (surly gorillas get left at base). Several times I have later found out the nice lady or gentleman I dealt with was the CEO of the company helping a clueless noob (me).

There are no stupid questions, there are questions they may not know the answer to. Its good to talk to the staff, most importantly find out if they can supply your company. A growing number of companies at trade shows I'm finding only deal with retailers with a bricks & mortar (B&M) shop.

Trade fairs are like retail therapy on a commercial scale, lots of fun.