Make the most of your Exhibtion Investment with Social Media.

Using social and digital media during your events, tradeshows even christmas celebrations might seem obvious, but many marketing and sales organisations fail to take full advantage of the low-cost and low-effort platforms that digital channels provide.







If you’re planning to exhibit at a tradeshow or host a company event, here are some ways to incorporate social networking and digital media into your planning to make the “big day” run smoothly and get the best return on your investment.

Pre-Event Planning and Audience Engagement:

The biggest challenges with any event is trying to anticipate attendee numbers because one hundred people might sign up for the event but it’s normal to expect drop out on the day. Here are some of the digital and social media platforms to help increase your attendance and reduce drop off rates.

Create a microsite for the event; a microsite is a landing page with information about the event, which could also include registration forms, speaker timetables and biographies and any information the attendee needs. Think laterally and include information that will make the guest experience as enjoyable and seamless as possible, for example, include information on parking, WiFi availability at the event and disabled access.

Put the event on Linkedin and Facebook, use twitter to keep followers updated with your activities at the show, promote the show #tag.

Save-the-date email to registered guests four to six weeks before the event;
A week later send an invitation.
Finally, send a reminder for the event a day prior.
Post Event share content via slideshare, linkedin facebook and direct email. (Run a webinar for those who missed the show our my friends a powwownow make this cost effective and fun!)

At the show- don't be Dull! And don't ignore the punters... someone doing work or checking personal emails is a definite waste of exhibition space.

Create a buzz Array and Fabriqate can develop a video game or app based on your brand and advise on giveaways that get past the bin on the way out.

The video game is a great example of using digital marketing to attract attention to your brand during an event and connecting after.

Lastly, invite registrants to sign up for your company's Facebook page, to register for your blog, sign up for your newsletter, your RSS feed or connect on Twitter.

Quite simply keep the connection ongoing. (without being a spam pest)