Tired of trade shows? Try these alternatives.

There's an alternative to expensive trade shows

Trade shows can be a great way to get your organisation in front of a reasonably targeted audience, but they’re also a very expensive way to generate new leads. Once you’ve added up the cost of exhibiting, travel and staff time, a trade show can be a significant commitment. Then, how many of those “leads” actually turn into sales?

Trade shows are another example of outbound marketing, an expensive way to reach an audience via a third party supplier (in this case the show organiser). Adopting an Inbound Marketing approach allows you to attract qualified leads and build your reputation amongst those who are genuinely interested.

Here are some simple alternatives that are much more cost-effective:

Publish more great content on your website. It can work for your organisation 24/7 every day of the year and, if well optimised for search, will turn up in front of motivated customers when they are ready to buy.

Attend events and trade shows and mingle like crazy. You might find as many good contacts this way as you would setting up a stall.

Speak at industry events. A good presentation will be remembered by many and gives your organisation a leg-up on those who merely exhibited. It will build profile and reputation.

Host your own mini-trade shows. Invite highly targeted prospects to a more intimate event covering your industry. Maybe include a few presenters from outside your organisation to increase credibility and attract more attention. You could possibly video the event and post snippets and the best presentations to your website for even further exposure.

Conduct webinars. This allows you to invite people from around the country (and world) to see what you have to offer without leaving their office.