Just like many other things, trade shows and exhibitions have gone digital, in large part because the Covid pandemic necessitated this. If you’ve never heard of a virtual trade show before—and you’re looking to benefit from participating in one—read on!
What Is A Virtual Trade Show?
Virtual trade shows are a lot like traditional in-person trade shows; the main, obvious difference is that virtual trade shows are held online. At virtual trade shows, attendees can interact with companies and brand representatives, and this is what attendees would be doing at a regular trade show.
Benefits Of Virtual Trade Shows
The biggest benefit of a virtual trade show is that individuals from around the world can connect at one of these. Brands that are looking for maximum exposure are participating in virtual trade shows now because they understand how many individuals can be reached at these events. After all, a participant just needs good internet connection. Here are some more reasons why brands love virtual trade shows:
- Reach A Wider Audience: Virtual exhibition crowds are 8x to 10x larger than the crowds you’ll see at real world trade shows. You can put your brand in front of a larger audience for a low cost. And no travel is required, which is a huge perk in the post Covid-19 era.
- Increase Brand Visibility For A Low Cost: If you ask any trade show veteran, they will tell you that location matters at a trade show. Your booth needs to occupy prime real estate if you want to pull in a big crowd. But at a virtual trade show, you can maximize brand exposure without needing prime real estate. You can link trade show attendees to your site, and you can also display your most popular products and services easily.
- Engage With Interested Trade Show Attendees: Just like at a regular trade show, you can connect and engage with interested attendees at a virtual trade show. You can even make interactions totally personal by setting up one-on-one video conferences with prospective clients.
- Capture And Convert Leads: At a virtual trade show, you can use a variety of strategies to capture leads. You can engage with each attendee and seamlessly guide them through the sales funnel.
Make Your Brand Stand Out At A Virtual Trade Show
In the end, a virtual trade show is still a trade show. Therefore, all the rules of regular trade shows apply here as well. Here are a few tips you can use to make your booth stand out at a virtual event:
- Consistent Branding: Just like you would decorate a traditional trade show booth with trade show display stands, you need to brand your virtual booth as well. Use a tabletop pull-up banner or a pop-up banner to display your branding message, logos, and other information.
- Have Clear Audio & Video: Make sure that your camera and mic are working correctly. Do a trial run before the event to ensure that you're audible and coming across clear to the audience.
- Share Virtual Pamphlets: You would pass out pamphlets and leaflets to audience members at an in-person event, so you should do the same here. The only difference is that there won’t be any paper—everything is digital, of course.
- Practice Your Pitch: Prepare a short 30-second pitch. It should introduce your brand and your product/services. Practice the pitch ahead of time so you don't stumble during the livestream.
- Send Complimentary Swag To Attendees: For that extra touch, you can send attendees a real gift. Ask them to fill out a form with their contact details so you can send them free swag like t-shirts, journals, or desk organizers.
Since the world is moving online, it's no surprise that trade shows have gone virtual. Use these tips to make the most of your next virtual trade show.