An appropriate imprinted giveaway is still one of the most useful tools to attract customers.

We often hear people say at a show, "Wow, nice gift.  Where do you get that from?", to an attendee as they make their way through a trade show.  A unique, useful gift can work wonders at a show and attract lots of people to your booth.  But it doesn't happen by chance.  Effective imprinted giveaways are successful because of careful planning and have little to do with luck.

That item you choose to give away in your booth takes careful consideration.  Choose the wrong item and it can reflect in you overall trade show results.  At most trade shows there are two major types of attendees - the hit and run attendees and the opportunity driven attendees.  The hit and run attendee cares little about what you are selling (unless you are giving it away for free!) and is there to collect premiums, free product, and sometimes product literature.  While you want to treat the hit and run attendee with respect, you don't have to make a serious effort trying to sell them because they are not buyers.  They are typically spouses, children, and trade association employees and are not there to buy.  They are there to collect and that is what they do.  The opportunity driven attendee is there to buy.  They are looking for creative products, ideas, and services that will help them grow their business.  They are looking to operate more efficiently, effectively and profitably and they are looking to you to help give them ways to do this.  But even though they are there to buy, they still like to receive appropriate, useful gifts.

Because of this, all trade show attendees are not equal.  You will certainly need an appropriate imprinted giveaway for the hit and run attendee.  After all, they may not be buyers today, but tomorrow, they could end up across the desk from you.

But more serious thought should be put into what imprinted product you decide to give away to those opportunity driven attendees.  A few years ago, at a the Food Marketing Institute Trade Show in Chicago, a major food company gave away autographed cook books to anyone willing to stand in line.  During the event, they went through literally thousands of cases of books.  During that same show, a much smaller food company gave away a New York Times bestselling Diet and Exercise book, personalized and autographed by the author.  However, this book was given to only select customers that had been given scratch off lottery tickets in advance (of course they all were winners!) of the show.  Word quickly spread among the buying community that the small company was giving these books away and soon the booth was flooded with buyers from all over the country wanting to get a book and discuss how that company's product tied in to the diet and exercise craze. Buyers were attracted to this book because of the limited availability - it was not something everyone could get.  While everyone who came to the smaller company's booth got something, only a select few received the book.

The book was a huge success and the company booked more show business than they had ever done in any previous shows.

Imprinted giveaways are a good investment at a show.  In-Vision Marketing can assist your organization is choosing the perfect imprinted giveaway for your next trade show event.  Give us a call today at 888-717-3277 so we can help you plan the right item for your next trade show.