Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
The 30 days before a show are golden preparation time. List existing clients to invite. Promote your participation on social media. Prepare products, brochures, business cards, and gifts. Book booth design early.
Post-show follow-up within 24 hours. First email thanks and recaps with a photo. Second email one week later adds requested information. Third email two weeks later includes pricing. Three touches convert the lead.
Trade show conversations need rhythm. First, understand the visitor and their needs (2-3 min). Then present solutions (5-7 min). Finally, agree on next steps. A quality 10-minute chat beats a 30-minute unfocused one.
Three booth design principles: make it open and inviting, highlight core products prominently, ensure your brand is visible from a distance. I've seen expensive booths that were so closed-off that visitors walked right past.