Speakers – you know how important it is to attend and exhibit at live events. Tradeshows, conferences, and other similar events provide you with the perfect opportunity to get your message out in front of your targeted audience. And more importantly, these events are your chance to show others the real you and the person behind the brand. These events can definitely make a significant difference in your business success, so you want to take the steps necessary to get the most out of them.

Here are tips for mastering your tradeshows, exhibits, and other live events:

Create a terrific booth – What sells you before you even say a word? Of course, it’s your booth. It’s the curb appeal, so to speak. Those walking by are drawn to those booths that are visually appealing and not too busy. They are walking, walking, walking and when they see something of interest, they stop and explore. That’s why you need to make sure your booth represents you well and is enticing to the passersby. Think fun colors that not only represent your brand, but allow the uniqueness of you to shine through. However, while you do want people to get a sense of who you are at first glance, you also need to consider the audience of the event and what will speak to them. By knowing your audience and then designing your booth with them in mind, you can ensure it conveys the right image that will appeal to them the most.

Talk to others you don’t normally talk to - So often at these events, you see two or three people behind the booth and they are chatting away, catching up on the latest gossip, and just not paying attention to the potential prospects passing by. Yes, we know working a booth with someone else can give you the opportunity to catch up with your friends, but remember you are there on a mission - a mission to network with others. What frequently happens is that attendees walking by won’t stop at booths where the people manning the booth are too engaged in their own conversations to really notice them. Many feel they don’t want to break into the conversation. So when working your booth, make sure you are actually working it and connecting with those who stop by, as well as those who simply glance your way as they walk by.

Prepare takeaways – With so much happening at these events, it is often difficult for your visitors to concentrate on all you are saying and offering. That’s why it’s so important to have take-home materials that rock. Include your branding or something that will spark a memory of seeing you there. Visuals are really important because they work so well. At some of these events, visitors could be seeing hundreds if not thousands of exhibits. What will make yours stand out and say, "Hey remember me? I’m the one who can help you master your online business."

Plan ways to retrieve their information – It would be great if everyone who stops by and shows interest goes home immediately, looks you up and connects with you pronto. However, that is not always how it happens. That’s why you want to take steps to get their information. This can be done in a number of ways. You can have a sign-up sheet and ask for emails. You can have a bowl that collects business cards. You can even directly ask for it and get their business cards, so you can personally contact them. The way you do it isn’t important. It’s just important to do it.

Enjoy– Don’t get so caught up in the event and what you need to do, that you looked stressed and miserable. Those who pass your booth really pick up on that. Think about it; would you want to visit a booth where the person looks like they are having a bad day? It is doubtful. So relax and have a good time. Also, try and be focused on only the event. Clear your mind of all the work and tasks that need to be handled for your business back at home, in the capable hands of your online support specialist or someone else who can take over for you while you’re away. You can’t be at your best during the event if you are up all night just trying to catch up on all the business happenings at home.

These tips should help you have a great event. And remember, you don’t need to do it alone. An online support specialist can help every step of the way…from planning the event and preparing the marketing materials to even being at the event with you to ensure it runs smoothly. They take the stress away so you can sit back and do what you do best – represent your brand.