Businesspeople With Digital Tablet Having Meeting In Office one-to-one meetings

The Power of One-to-One Meetings at a Trade Show

by BlogEdmiston Group
Businesspeople With Digital Tablet Having Meeting In Office one-to-one meetings

Trade shows have long been a cornerstone of networking and business growth, offering small business owners a unique platform to showcase their products and services. Amid the busyness and vibrant displays, one aspect stands out as a game-changer: the one-to-one meeting. In a sea of handshakes and business cards, these personalized interactions offer invaluable opportunities for small business owners to make meaningful connections, foster relationships, and drive success. 

Here’s why these meetings are so relevant:

Tailored Engagement: One-to-one meetings allow you to customize your pitch or discussion to each individual. This personal touch showcases your commitment and understanding of their needs, setting you apart from competitors.

Relationship Building: Trade shows are about more than immediate sales – they’re about building lasting partnerships. One-to-one meetings provide a chance to connect on a deeper level, forging relationships that can lead to collaboration, referrals, and mutual growth.

Efficient Use of Time: In a busy trade show environment, time is precious. One-to-one meetings let you focus on high-priority prospects, maximizing your time and efforts for the best possible outcomes.

Information Exchange: These meetings offer a two-way street for information sharing. You can learn about potential clients’ pain points, goals, and preferences, enabling you to tailor your offerings and solutions more effectively.

Problem Solving: One-to-one meetings are conducive to problem-solving discussions. Whether a prospect has reservations or queries, you can address them directly, turning hesitations into opportunities.

Qualifying Leads: Not every interaction leads to a solid lead. One-to-one meetings allow you to qualify prospects, ensuring you invest resources in prospects that align with your business objectives.

Memorability: In a crowded trade show, personalized attention leaves a lasting impression. When you take the time for a one-to-one discussion, potential clients are more likely to remember your brand and message.

Versatility: These meetings are adaptable – they can be casual, structured, spontaneous, or planned. This flexibility enables you to accommodate various prospects’ communication styles.

The more technology comes into our lives, the more important these one-to-one interactions are. They are invaluable. At trade shows, these personal meetings offer an opportunity for small business owners to connect, engage, and thrive. This connections empowers you to deliver tailored pitches, build relationships, and gain insights that can steer your business toward greater success.

If you are getting ready for your next trade show and need help with organizing your exhibit or planning your strategy, the Edmiston Group can help! Give me a call at 724- 612-0755.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh-based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Creative power and Powerful ideas business innovation concept with a red glowing boxing glove shaped as a light bulb representing strong innovative new thinking and competitive imagination.

ARE YOU PREPARING FOR A BUSINESS COMEBACK?

by BlogCommunicationsEdmiston Group

Creative power and Powerful ideas – new thinking and competitive imagination.

When there is a business halt, are you preparing for a strong comeback or sitting paralyzed in the silence? Because business owners are fearful of what is to come next, we often will sit back and do nothing. A business may never return to the way it was and just like the businesses that failed to embrace social media, those that choose to stand still and do nothing will lose.

Savvy business owners are taking this time to think of the future and what new lines of business or target clients they want to reach out to. Should their sales pitch change and if so what would that look like? Will the presentation desk, social media channels or website need updating? How will these changes impact their sales staff and will they need retraining? Could staff training be done remotely while the sales force team is working at home?

Try to work down the line deals. Now is the time to negotiate. If your conference has been canceled, negotiate rates on a tentative date to rebook the conference in the future. Pass along the savings to your customers to relaunch a successful event. Instead of doing nothing, you’ve become a problem solver.

If your fundraiser was postponed, can you create a go-fund-me campaign or an online event? There is so much need, you want to be certain your mission stays top of mind.

Meet your customers where they are. Yoga studios and gyms are providing online classes with instructors via Zoom and staying connected to their tribe through private Facebook groups. Chambers of Commerce are offering free classes on how to use Zoom. Restaurants have shifted from dine-in to take out and brick and mortar stores have opened on-line stores. Think about it. They have provided a solution to our present-day situation that could result in an additional revenue stream in the month’s ahead post COVID-19.

Barbara Corcoran, self-made millionaire, real estate mogul, and ‘Shark Tank’ star believes there is great opportunity in every crisis. She has survived 9/11 as well as other critical times in her business. “But here’s what I’ve learned on all these crises through all the years, Corcoran recently shared on her Business Unusual podcast. When things go south, they come back like gangbusters.”

Are you ready to breathe in and move forward to polish up your business? Let’s chat – give me a call at 724-612-0755 or email [email protected].

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group. The Edmiston Group is a multifaceted Pittsburgh based marketing consulting firm providing senior-level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long-term basis. Core areas of service are business development strategies, website creation and management, social media management, marketing, strategic planning, and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business.

Edmiston Group

Plan Ahead to Make the Most of Your Tradeshow (Part 2)

by ArticlesCommunications

Getting ready for a trade show can be overwhelming, but with the appropriate direction, pulling off the perfect trade show can be as easy as 1 * 2 * 3.  In part 2 of this 3-part series we focus on creating the perfect Display for your Booth.  Part 1 (Marketing Materials)   Part 3 (Promotional Products)

Step 2:  Prepare Your Booth with the Perfect Display

“3 Seconds!  That’s how long you have to capture the attention of a potential customer.  Grab it with an eye-catching display”

We talked with Lynne Arrington of Speedpro Imaging in Cranberry Township regarding best practices for selecting trade show display items.  Here’s what Lynne had to say.

Q: How far in advance should exhibitors contact you for new displays?  Lynne:  The ideal answer is the sooner the better.   6 – 8 weeks gives time to think about options and get feedback on proofs. Even when updating graphics on an existing display, time is needed to order replacement hardware.

Q:  What budgeting tips can you provide for deciding which display items to purchase?  Lynne:  Before selecting a display product, think about how long you will be using the display and for what purposes.  Do you want the display to be used repeatedly?  Can you repurpose the display and use it in your store, at a chamber event, at presentations?   Should the display be portable, should it have changeable graphics?  As an example, retractable banners stands can used to promote your brand or can be made for use with additional graphic cartridges that will promote a rotating theme or promotion.   Your expected usage will help to determine which display will best fit your needs.

Q: What is your #1 tip for creating the perfect display?  Lynne: Hone your message.  Your message should be simple, your graphics clean.  You have 3 seconds to grab someone’s attention, so you don’t want to overload information.  You DO want to pique interest.   Once your display has caught your potential customer’s attention, your trade show rep can get to work determining the best way to be helpful.

About the author: Autumn Edmiston is the CEO and owner of the Edmiston Group ~ The Edmiston Group provides senior level marketing management services to businesses and non-profit organizations on a short or long term basis.  Core areas of service are business development, marketing, strategic planning and public relations. The Edmiston Group has consistently delivered and implemented real-world, proven business marketing ideas and strategies for business growth.