Trade Show Marketing – Start with Banner Stands
It can seem a lot easier to just hand your money over in an advertisement package offered by magazine, newspaper, or even radio or television stations, but nothing gets your product in front of its demographic faster than a trade show.
Trade show displays act as stationary advertisements that catch and hold the attention of passers-by who – let’s remember – chose to come to the show, so they are usually already interested in the kinds of products your business offers.
The difficulties, at least for the novice, are choices involving which trade show, how much to spend on the trade show and the trade show display, and then lots more decisions regarding, structure, design, and renting or buying.
Trade shows have costs related to equipment and personnel. But the investment gets immediate results and the costs can be covered in one successful day. If this is your company or organization’s first trade show, you will likely want to keep the costs low until you are comfortable that the investment is worth the results.
American Image Displays understands the need to keep costs down and provides hundreds of products that can fit into the budget you have decided to keep to. We can also give you options, such as renting or buying, to ensure that your display investment is successful.
Rent or Buy?
Your initial investments related to your trade show display can be reduced by renting some of the furnishing instead of purchasing them. Renting basic things like tables and flooring help you to save money for important things like banners, brochures, graphics and messaging, some of which may change from one trade show to the next. Renting is also a good option when two equally advantageous trade shows overlap. You also may want to change aspects of your display to attract a particular demographic. Renting the equipment allows you to experiment with a display that may attract more attention to what you have to offer.
Design Costs
Design costs can vary from a few hundred to a few thousand. Some businesses have opted for the less expensive only to find that had they spent a few dollars more, the resulting impact could have been ten times what they settled for.
Table top design options can be traditional pop up table tops suitable for large graphic displays or classic easy-to-set-up tables used by recruiters, non-profits or colleges. They can also include accessories like standoff graphics, headers and shelves. If you are not sure about the design that is best for your company, we offer design search capabilities on its website with hundreds of combinations of items that you can put together. Our design experts are also available and happy to help whenever needed.
Banner Costs
Your most important investment is your graphics. Banner stands offer the opportunity to start with fairly inexpensive, but attractive, durable, and efficient graphic designs. There are many kinds of banner stands to choose from, and your one-of-a-kind banner is designed to fit whatever design you desire—a two-dimensional stand or a 3D stand made to rotate or swivel. The Brandcusi stands pictured on the right are double sided, and offer literature holders, shelves, and lights.
Banners and banner stands also come in a variety of prices that reflect quality and durability. Designing your banner can be a chore. Many businesses depend on in-house professional graphic designers, but for those who do not have graphic designers on staff American Image Displays has excellent designers that can design, print, and ship a product in less than a week. The cost depends on many things, including whether you have the logo ready or it has to be redrawn from an image.
First time trade show participants will benefit from getting advice from the support staff at American Image Displays, and whether your presence is large or small, you will find a return on that investment in immediate new customers and name recognition. Getting out there is the first step – after that first step, evaluate your results, and then expand, redesign and refine to keep growing your business.
Want to learn more about marketing your exhibit? Check out our articles on digital marketing for trade show booths and building a buzz for your upcoming trade show.