Trade shows are a goldmine for businesses, providing an opportunity to showcase your offerings while networking with potential clients. However, the real work begins after the event – that is, in effectively utilizing the leads captured during the show. Let’s chat about how you can streamline this process with an effect post trade show strategy.
Part 2: The Post-Show Protocol – What You Should Be Doing
Leveraging Lead Capture Software
Traditional methods of lead capture, such as scanning badges or collecting business cards, can be challenging and time-consuming. Moreover, they often fail to provide a personalized experience for potential clients. Enter lead capture software like Captello (not sponsored, we’re just big fans!). This tool simplifies data collection, allowing you to capture leads effortlessly from trade shows and marketing events. It offers intuitive functionality and syncs directly with all leading CRM and Marketing Automation Platforms, ensuring that no potential lead slips through the cracks.
This tip does all of the nitty-gritty work for you capturing names, emails, and any other relevant contact information you want to hold on to. However, in order to have a truly successful post-show follow-up, you have to take it a step further.
Collecting Intentional Data at Trade Shows
Having intentional conversations and collecting relevant data is critical to include in a post-trade show strategy. Merely gathering contact information isn’t enough. It’s crucial to note details about the conversation you have with your leads, such as the needs and interests of the potential client and maybe personal details that they disclosed to help you connect and follow up in the future.
Another helpful tip is segmenting your contacts into groups based on their level of interest which can further refine your follow-up strategy. For instance, you might categorize contacts on a scale of 1-10, with 1-3 being not interested, 4-6 potentially interested in the near future, and 7-10 highly interested. Obviously, this is a subjective measurement that you need to have your booth staff trained well to know. But, you have to have some systematic approach in place so that you can follow up and create some success.
Incorporating technology into your data collection process can significantly enhance efficiency. We’ve already discussed the benefits of lead capture software, but there are other ways to use technology to streamline your data collection for future use. For example, having a team member with an iPad and Excel at hand to take notes during conversations can ensure that no important detail is missed in your tracking.
Following Up After an Event: Tips for Maximizing Your Data Collection
Consistent Digital Presence
Maintaining a consistent digital presence is akin to keeping your storefront open, well-lit, and inviting. It’s an ongoing commitment that extends your brand’s reach, keeps you connected with your audience, and reinforces your brand identity.
At the trade show, you’ve already made initial contact with potential leads. Now, your digital presence serves as a bridge between that initial meeting and the ongoing relationship you aim to cultivate. It’s your platform for continued communication, allowing you to keep those leads warm and engaged with your brand. Regular posts, updates, and responses to comments or queries ensure that your brand stays top-of-mind. It shows your audience that you’re not just present, but actively listening and engaging with them.
Choose the platforms where your audience is most active, and focus on creating high-quality content tailored to those platforms. This targeted approach will make your online presence more effective and manageable. A consistent digital presence is not just about being seen—it’s about being remembered, staying relevant, and building a brand that resonates with your audience. It’s this sustained effort that transforms leads from trade shows into loyal customers.
Personalized Email Communication
Personalized email communication has emerged as a powerful tool in the digital marketing landscape. It allows businesses to tailor their messages to individual recipients, thereby fostering a more personal connection and enhancing engagement.
In the context of post-trade show follow-ups, personalized email communication can be instrumental. When you send tailored emails to leads who visited your booth, it shows them that their interaction with your brand was not just a transaction but the beginning of a relationship. You’re not just sending them a generic thank-you note; you’re acknowledging the specific conversation or interaction you had with them at your booth.
An example of this could be referencing a product they showed interest in or concern they voiced during your interaction. By doing this, you reinforce the messaging they received at the event and remind them of their interest in your offerings.
However, it’s important to remember that the goal of personalized email communication is not just to sell but to build relationships. By providing valuable and relevant content, you position your brand as a trusted source of information, which can lead to increased loyalty and customer retention in the long run. It’s more than just a marketing tactic – it’s a way to foster strong, lasting relationships with your leads. As such, it should be an integral part of your post-trade show strategy.
Segmentation and Targeted Messaging
Segmentation and targeted messaging are pivotal elements of a successful marketing strategy. This involves dividing your audience into distinct groups based on shared characteristics and crafting tailored messages for each group. The aim is to ensure that your communication aligns with the specific interests, needs, and preferences of each segment, thereby making it more relevant and impactful.
Targeted Messaging, on the other hand, involves crafting and delivering customized messages for each segment. This ensures that your communication speaks directly to the specific interests and needs of each group.
For your post-trade show follow-ups, segmentation and targeted messaging can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your communication. By tailoring your follow-up emails based on the specific interests expressed by leads during the trade show, you’re likely to resonate more with them, thereby fostering stronger relationships and improving conversion rates.
Offering Further Engagement
Offering further engagement is a strategic move that not only keeps the conversation going but also deepens the relationship between your brand and potential leads. This step goes beyond the initial interaction at the trade show and enters the realm of personalized service. Offering a free consultation or a Zoom call can serve as an effective strategy to engage leads further.
Here’s why: A free consultation or a Zoom call allows you to interact with leads on a personal level. It shows them that you value their needs and are willing to invest time in understanding their requirements. This can help build trust, fostering a stronger relationship with your leads. You can ask targeted questions to understand their challenges, goals, and expectations better. This can help you tailor your solutions to meet their specific needs, increasing the likelihood of conversion.
In today’s competitive market, a personalized experience can set your brand apart. By offering individual consultations or calls, you’re providing a personalized experience that can enhance lead satisfaction and loyalty.
Unifying Sales and Marketing Efforts
Unifying sales and marketing efforts is a critical aspect of any successful business strategy. This alignment ensures that both teams work towards the same goals, resulting in better lead generation, customer retention, and revenue growth.
When your sales and marketing teams are aligned, they can collaborate more effectively and efficiently. The marketing team’s role is to attract potential customers and nurture them until they’re ready to make a purchase. Meanwhile, the sales team steps in to close the deal. If these two teams aren’t working in sync, it can lead to missed opportunities and wasted resources. Good data is at the heart of this alignment. For instance, if a lead has received an email from marketing about a particular product feature, the sales representative can emphasize this feature during their pitch.
Moreover, feedback from the sales team can help the marketing team refine their strategies. If the sales team finds that a certain type of lead is more likely to convert, the marketing team can focus their efforts on attracting similar leads.
Trade shows represent a significant opportunity for businesses to showcase their products or services and connect with potential clients. Nevertheless, the true challenge—and opportunity—lies in what comes after the event. The ability to effectively harness and utilize the leads obtained during the show is pivotal to maximizing returns. As such, it’s crucial to adopt strategies that streamline this process and ensure successful post-trade show follow-ups. If you’re interested in more helpful tips, sign up for our weekly newsletters and updates.