Generate Leads During the Lockdown

Generate Leads During the Lockdown

This is a bit of a different blog for us, usually we’re talking about how you can use exhibitions to generate leads and increase your sales. However, we’re currently in lockdown and al events have been postponed for the foreseeable future 

That doesn’t mean that your lead generation has to stop, we want to help you explore different ways to generate leads where previously you may have focused on exhibitions.  

Downloadable Content 

If you want to give back to your audience, but also generate a few more leads, this could be perfect for you. Creating high-quality content for your visitors to download will not only increase the value of your business, but it will also help add to your CRM system.  

Create a downloadable ebook, video or whatever you think your customers will find useful and make it available to those who fill out a form with all of the contact information you need for your CRM. Try and make the form as simple as possible to encourage more downloads.  

Paid Ads 

You can run paid ads on a variety of social media platforms and also on search engines, so you can focus on where your audience are likely to spend the majority of their time and also depending on whether you want to be proactive or reactive with your marketing.  

Creating ads which are targeted to your audience and personalised where possible will encourage clicks through to your website or landing page. Once they’re here, you will need to convert them into a lead.  

This could be using a form, phone number or a newsletter sign-up. Once you’ve collected their details you can use these in your follow-up process, which can be altered from your exhibition process.  

Build Social Relationships 

Social media usage has skyrocketed over the past few months and this is the case for business owners as well, LinkedIn is the new networking hotspot.  

Build connections using social media and create content that these people want to share, this will increase your post reach and therefore, allow you to reach more like-minded people to build relationships with. Social media also offers the ideal chance to communicate with your existing or future customers that may be looking at your site or page, and ensure they know you are still there, working hard and looking forward to the end of the lockdown and assisting with their exhibition needs at that point.  

Once you’ve built trust and have the basis of a relationship, selling becomes a lot easier.  

If you’re working on your exhibition process during lockdown, we can help to get your stand in tip top condition, so get in touch with our team today!  

A Guide to Hosting a Virtual Event

A Guide to Hosting a Virtual Event

Times may be abnormal at the moment, but many businesses still continue to run as normally as they can. Many employers are adapting to working from home and trying to achieve the same work ethic as if they were in the office.

You can still hold meetings, catch up with colleagues and even host events, from the comfort of your own home.

Not sure how? We’ve created this guide on how to host a virtual event, so you can stay connected with businesses and achieve your business goals as normal.

What is a Virtual Event?

Whether you’re located minutes or hours away from other businesses, virtual events help bring you all together across the internet.

This can be in the form of a video conference, presentation or a live video broadcast.

It’s really easy, and as long as you’re connected to the internet, you’re all good to go!

Why Should You Try a Virtual Event?

A virtual event may seem like a lot of effort for something you’ve never tried and where you can’t get the main benefit of building relationships face-to-face, but there are actually many benefits to an online event.

By primarily relying on the internet, your marketing and set-up costs are extremely low, and in some cases, completely free.

Acquiring leads and building your customer database is just as successful online, as attendees can submit their details through the platform you use.

How to Host an Event

Step 1 – Promote your Event

The same marketing concepts apply, even for online events.

Using social media, paid advertising and email marketing to promote your event will work just as well as if it was a physical event, and sometimes, even better. Your audience can be broader in terms of location because you have no travel costs or time.

Social media use has shot up over the past few weeks and it’s easy to see why when this is the easiest way to connect, recommend and share. However, this does also mean that feeds are a lot more saturated and you’ll need to ensure your posts stand out.

Focus on how your event will not only help individuals and businesses now, but also when things return to normal.

Step 2 – Choose your Streaming Platform

In the current age of digital, there are so many platforms that offer live broadcasting and allow other attendees to join in.

Depending on your primary target audience, it’s important to determine which platform is going to acquire the most leads and interest.

Here are some of the main broadcasting platforms you can use:

  • Facebook Live Broadcast – If social media users are your main target, this could be perfect for you. Followers of your brand and, when marketed in the right way, members of the public, can tune into your event too. Attendees can engage with you in the comments and react to your content. A key benefit of using Facebook is that your live stream is saved as a video post, so people can watch it whenever it’s convenient for them.
  • Microsoft Teams – This platform is great for slightly smaller events and allows multiple users to be shown on screen, which is great when hosting an event with other members of your team. Viewers can engage and share their contact information using the chat feature.
  • Instagram TV (IGTV) – This is not only ideal for the event itself but also for promoting the event and uploading teasers, during the run-up to your event. You can upload content of up to 60 minutes long, but this is better for short and snappy broadcasts.
  • Work Cast – Ideal for open days and exhibitions, this software steers away from social media and broadcasts your event to over 1 million viewers, spanning across 20 countries. If you’re looking to host a large scale event, this could be for you.

Step 3 – What to Include During your Event?

You want your virtual event to be just as engaging as the standard. To encourage the most engagement from your viewers it’s important to structure your event correctly.

Writing a script could bring the structure you need to keep the broadcast running smoothly and stay on topic. For some, this is too structured, and people prefer to lead the way through improvise, but this is a matter of preference.

Question and answer sessions are great for creating conversation with your viewers and also makes them feel as informed as if they were there with you.

Including giveaways and competitions are both great ways to keep spirits high and finish the event off with a buzz. Relate these to your services as much as possible but also make them appealing to your audience.

Virtual events can be just as successful as a standard exhibition, so why not try one of your own? If you’re looking to continue acquiring business leads through this period of isolation, why not host your very own virtual event.

For more information on the services we offer that could help with your event, contact our team at 200m2 here.

The Top Exhibitions you Need to Know About in 2020

The Top Exhibitions you Need to Know About in 2020

Make it your New Year’s resolution to get ahead of the events calendar and start planning your exhibitions for the year.

Network with attendees and exhibitors to pick-up on plenty of new skills. Or, perhaps you’re looking to exhibit at some trade shows this year.
We’ve put together a list of some of the best exhibitions in the UK to visit in 2020 or even exhibit at yourself!

The Food & Drink Expo – NEC Birmingham, 30th March – 1st April 2020

Visit one of the largest food and drink shows of 2020 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

Whether you specialise in the grocery and food industry, or you just have an interest in the food and drink sector, this is the exhibition for you!

Stay up to date with the latest trends in food technology and learn about the products that are fresh on the market.

Showcase your own unique products at the expo and acquire loads of new customers, or simply attend and be fascinated by the emerging food and drink products that are hitting the market.

Check out their website to find out more and book your tickets here.

The Property Investor Show – ExCel London, 3rd – 4th April 2020

Do you specialise in property and are looking to stay up to date with the latest investment opportunities? Build on your own property knowledge and network with agents and developers attending the show from the UK and overseas.

The exhibition will take place at the ExCel arena in London and cater for all levels of experience in property, so this could be the perfect venture to increase your understanding of this sector or possibly find your dream home.

Become one of the 185 exhibitors next year. Don’t miss out! Book your free exhibitor or visitor tickets now!

Head to their website to find out more.

The Business Show – ExCel London, 18th – 19th November 2020

Take your business to the next level at the 43rd annual Business Show!

Network with visitors at the event and guest speakers to acquire new skills and contacts for your company. All businesses big and small are welcome!

Hear from some of the biggest names in the world of recruitment at this event.
You can register for free tickets here.

If you’re looking to participate in an exhibition next year and are in need of a stand to take to the event, a member of our team at 200m2 would be happy to help. Contact us here for more information.

Top Tips for Exhibition Staffing Success

Top Tips for Exhibition Staffing Success

The staff on your stand at your exhibition can be all the difference when it comes to engaging with and making the experience pleasurable for attendees, as well as hitting sales goals and targets.

In order to make your staffing an element in your success, there are some steps you need to follow in order to fully prepare your team for the event.

Continue reading “Top Tips for Exhibition Staffing Success”

Nailing Product Launches at Exhibitions

Nailing Product Launches at Exhibitions

A successful product launch can be ‘make or break’ as to whether your company’s name makes it out into the wider business sphere.

Exhibitions can be a great opportunity to harness the power of live, real-time marketing and high numbers of footfall by launching your product here.

Continue reading “Nailing Product Launches at Exhibitions”