Are you getting ready for your next trade show?
Trade shows are a great way to find and pursue new leads, network, and generate interest in your brand. Are you using your trade show exhibits and booths to their full potential?
It’s possible that you’re making some serious mistakes with your trade show exhibit design. If you’re trying to do it alone, you’ll run into problems before you know it.
But how can you avoid these things? We want to help so you don’t have to go through the tedious trial and error process and miss out on your new leads. Keep reading to learn about the mistakes that we’ve seen others make so you can avoid them.
Telling Instead of Helping
Instead of telling the designers what you need step-by-step, help them with design decisions and let them help you in return.
You know your brand, but they know design like the backs of their hands. When you work together, you end up with something you love.
Consider what you’re paying for when you pay for a designer. You’re not paying for the design, you’re paying for all of the leads that you’ll get from it. You’re paying for expertise and the knowledge that comes from years of trade show experience.
At Rockway, we love to work together so you can make your money back and more. Trust us.
Choosing the Wrong Size Space (And Not Taking Advantage of It)
When you are selecting your exhibit space for next year, remember, you still need to design and build an exhibit in that space. One of the largest mistakes we see clients make is increasing their floor space but not increasing or factoring in more budget for their exhibit design and build. What this creates is a larger, more noticable space with a less impactful and engaging brand experience. We believe that when you are considering a larger floor space, you must revisit your tradeshow booth budget. You are better off with a 10×20 but well designed, engaging exhibit compared to increasing floor space to a 20×20 and a budget tradeshow booth.
Using A Non-Interactive Exhibit
So your exhibit is big, is that good enough?
We don’t think so. While a large exhibit is great, it isn’t useful if it’s non-interactive. Customers will come over, but they have no reason to stay. The goal is to engage, educate and create intrigue.
There are a few ways to make your space interactive. First, make sure that the person or people who are manning the booth are charismatic and outgoing.
The people manning the booth can hold fun activities like contests or raffles to engage potential leads, and they should be showing off your product in new and unique ways instead of letting it sit. When considering raffles or games, REALLY try to understand your customer and do your best to create a raffle/game that is of interest to them.
You can also place speakers to play music. Music creates ambiance and a vibe.
Are you demoing software? Showcasing product? Running educational programs or talks? You should factor all of this in when deciding how to interact and engage with your customer. Are your talks near the aisle? If your demos are private, make them private and have a way to schedule people. If they are open to anyone, make sure they are visible and draw people in.
Poor Text and Image Decisions
Branding a tradeshow booth is simple. Less text, more vibe. BRAND your tradeshow booth, don’t try and tell everyone everything you do. The goal is to create a “on brand” experience/environment.
What is your value proposition? What is your company’s mission? Examples of your work? How can you visually relay who you are, what you are about and how you help people? These are all things to focus on when deciding on your graphics and branding. Show people, don’t tell.
Ignoring Trends
While you should never copy the designs of other businesses, you should keep an eye on design aspects that are trending so you can take advantage of them.
Trends exist for a reason. While you might want to be a combo breaker, there’s a time and place to do new and innovative things, A trend means that something is popular and effective.
For example, if you’ve been seeing a certain kind of display trending on social media, such as a green wall or an “Instagrammable” photo spot in an exhibit, try to use those things in your own exhibit design. You’ll notice the difference.
Luckily for you, we know these trends. We know how and when to use them so you don’t have to. Follow our lead!
Not Trusting The Professionals
You’re a business expert, and you might not be a design expert. Even your awesome branding design team may not the right experience to be making a well-designed trade show exhibit, especially when it’s your first one.
Professional trade show exhibit designers are experts in the field. They know all of the top trends and how to use them in your exhibit.
Getting professional help ensures that your exhibit is interactive, well-designed, and bound to be a success. There’s nothing wrong with getting help if it means you’ll come out with an awesome exhibit.
These creative professionals know what they’re doing, even if it doesn’t seem obvious to you. It always comes together in the end. Trust us.
Would you tell a chef how to cook? If not, try not to tell a designer how to design. Let them bring your idea to life.
Are You Looking for Trade Show Exhibit Design Success?
Do you have a trade show in the near future? Are you stressed about your trade show exhibit design?
Don’t be. If you keep these mistakes in mind, you won’t have any problem avoiding them. Remember, you want to be creative enough to stand out while also being on-trend enough to give new leads what they’re looking for. You want your booth to be larger than life with impressive branding. Do you have what it takes to make that happen?
We want to help you out. We have the solutions to all of your custom trade show exhibit design needs. Contact us before your next trade show so we can make your ideal exhibit come to life.
Are You Looking for Trade Show Exhibit Design Success?
Do you have a trade show in the near future? Are you stressed about your trade show exhibit design?
Don’t be. If you keep these mistakes in mind, you won’t have any problem avoiding them. Remember, you want to be creative enough to stand out while also being on-trend enough to give new leads what they’re looking for. You want your booth to be larger than life with impressive branding. Do you have what it takes to make that happen?
We want to help you out. We have the solutions to all of your custom trade show exhibit design needs. Contact us before your next trade show so we can make your ideal exhibit come to life.