248 - 9 Tips for Working Trade Show by Yourself - Small Business Survival Guide

248 - 9 Tips for Working Trade Show by Yourself - Small Business Survival Guide

Author: Jim Cermak March 25, 2024 Duration: 6:45

If you’re a small business, you may have plans to work an upcoming show by yourself or maybe you've done it in the past. Happens with bigger businesses too! And let me tell you, having worked many expos and shows solo, it can be frustrating.

Here's 9 Tips to help you Survive and Thrive at your next Expo, Event or Trade Show!

Being by yourself does not allow you to be efficient, maximize your ROI, or put you in the position to get the best results possible.

The biggest issue is that you can only have indepth discussions with one person at a time.

Let me give you one big piece of advice – Don’t work by yourself! If at all possible, convince a co-worker, trusted colleague, family member or friend help you out for a few hours or few days. It will definitely be worth it!

( 1 ) Set up your booth as early as possible to allow for the unknown.

( 2 ) Get to shows early to walk the show floor and meet people.

( 3 ) Make friends with people in the booths around you.

( 4 ) Simplify and Minimize

( 5 ) Use other methods to help capture information and make you more efficient

( 6 ) Practice!

( 7 ) Get out front of your table/booth

( 8 ) Try group presenting

( 9 ) Pack snacks, water, mints to help you avoid having to leave your booth


AND...The next video you NEED to watch so you don't Unknowingly kill your results...

https://youtu.be/ftHlxygrPFw


PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL! https://www.youtube.com/@tradeshowuniversity

IMPROVE YOUR NEXT TRADE SHOW!

Get a Professional Booth Review or the **RIGHT Training** for your staff: https://tradeshowu.biz/services


Get the Trade Show University email newsletter for weekly tips, tools, and expert advice to maximize the ROI for your next trade show or event – all for FREE -- Visit https://tradeshowu.biz and drop your email on the home page!

Mentioned in this episode:

Exhibitor Expert Review - exclusively from Trade Show University

Ready to exhibit at your next Show? Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you get to the show to learn lessons on what you can do better and tweaks you can make for next time. You can do that BEFORE this next show and accelerate your results! I can help you get locked in for Success with an Expert Review! • Having a professional set of outside "eyes" is important because You Don't Know what You Don't Know! • 30+ year Trade Show expert will review: o Design o Messaging o Goals & Metrics o Engagement Questions o Attendee journey • Identify the Gaps and Opportunities you don’t even know exist! • And get you capturing more Qualified Leads than ever before • Visit Tradeshowu.biz/services


Jim Cermak hosts Trade Show University for Virtual & Live Events, a deep and practical resource for anyone whose business depends on connecting with an audience, whether on a convention floor or through a screen. This isn't about vague inspiration; it's a working toolkit built from conversations with seasoned experts and Jim's own extensive experience. Each episode functions like a focused seminar, delivering actionable tips and training that exhibitors, marketers, and show planners can apply immediately to see a real difference in their engagement and return on investment. With a library spanning over 220 episodes, the podcast covers the full spectrum of modern event planning-from crafting a compelling virtual booth experience to mastering the logistics and psychology of a live trade show. You'll hear candid discussions on common pitfalls, innovative strategies that are working right now, and breakdowns of what truly moves the needle for businesses. Beyond the audio, the community around this podcast extends into consulting and collaborative training, emphasizing real-world application. For professionals tired of wasting time and budget on events that don't deliver, this series offers a clear path forward, turning every appearance into a measurable success.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Trade Show University for Virtual & Live Events
Podcast Episodes
197 - Tips & Predictions from the Pros at IAEE's Expo! Expo! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:19
I attended IAEE's Expo! Expo! 2022 conference held in Louisville, KY and was able to get some of the EventProfs there to share some Tips and Predictions for exhibiting in 2023!Featured in this episode:Jennifer Millett of…
195 - Creating a Full Video Strategy, Content Creation & Repurposing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:23
Most companies are not using Video to its full potential! Today we'll be talking about the importance of creating a full video strategy, along with the amazing content and repurposing opportunities that exist.Joining the…
194 - Demand Gen vs. Lead Gen - with Vanessa Zangardi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:36
What is the difference between Demand Generation (regarding generating leads using marketing) and Lead Generation? Why does it matter and what should you focus on?Helping us answer these questions is Vanessa Zangardi of…
193 - Creating Your Booth Flow and Attendee Journey in 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:57
One of the most impactful and strategic moves you can do for your trade shows in 2023 is to Create your Booth Flow! If you’re not familiar with the term Booth Flow, it’s just what it sounds like – how to get show attende…
192 - Tips to Connect with those who DON'T Show Up! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:52
Food and Wine Entertainment Consultant and Keynote Speaker Michael Green joins Jim Cermak for another episode of Perfect Pairings - Events, Food & Wine! Episode #11 - Tips to connect with those who DON'T Show Up!People r…
191 - PRO Tip 7 - Effectively Using Your Cell Phone at Your Booth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:43
Trade Show PRO Tip #7 explores how to Effectively use your Cell Phone, Android or iPhone right at your trade show booth! Normally I tell people to put their phones away - and that's still good advice! But today I'm givin…
190 - How to Secure Sponsors Successfully - with Roberta Vigilance [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:30
Roberta Vigilance teaches event planners how to secure sponsors for events, and is the author of How To Secure Sponsors Successfully. Roberta needed money to hold an event, taught herself how to secure sponsors and since…