Savvy small business owners know they should always be marketing their brands. It’s essential they do so in order to keep their pipelines filled and to stay in business.
Whether you’re launching a startup or already a seasoned entrepreneur, you may wish to consider actively participating in corporate events. There’s nothing else quite like them when it comes to marketing opportunities.
Corporate events generally provide the perfect venue for you to introduce yourself and your business to large groups of people in a short amount of time. Face-to-face networking is still one of the most effective means for beginning and developing business relationships.
The following suggestions will help you make the most of your experience at corporate events:
1. Speak Up
No one is going to learn anything about you and your business unless you’re willing to talk to people. Sure, there are dozens – maybe hundreds – of other business owners who are attending corporate events for the same reason as you. Unless you are willing to initiate conversations with other attendees, it’s unlikely they will start talking to you.
2. Stand Out
It bears repeating that you’re going to be one business owner among many at a conference. So it’s essential to find unique ways to stand out. Designing and implementing creative posters and banners for your booth or similar event space is one way. Another way to effectively stand out is by using customized printed marquees and tents.
3. Offer Freebies
It’s a fact that everyone loves freebies, but it’s also true that people attending corporate events expect them. Giving away personalized event swag (i.e., event gifts) that draw attention to your business’s name can help you make a lasting impression.
Here are a few clever gift ideas to consider:
- Branded USB flash drives
- Customized mini LED flashlights
- Promotional calculators
- Water bottles with customized labels
4. Promote in Advance
Providing people with enticing information about you and your business early is another great way for you to get noticed at a corporate event. Social media is an effective and free resource you can use to “promote your attendance before you ever step foot in the venue itself.”
5. Get Out There
Corporate events are filled with potential clients looking for the products or services you offer. There are also plenty of people attending who may not belong to your target market but may know people who do. Don’t be afraid to mix and mingle.
Are you a small business owner who is attending and actively participating in corporate events? What steps do you take to get noticed?
This post was originally posted on DashBurst Magazine and is being republished with permission.
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