Cold Calls At Trade Shows

Writen by Julia O'Connor

We like to do business with people and firms we know, or at least have heard about – it gives us a feeling of comfort and security.

What happens at a trade show? Is there such thing as a true cold call?

I say No. And these are my five reasons I say so....

1. IT DEPENDS ON YOUR SIDE OF THE AISLE –

As an exhibitor, there will be people you have never met, representing companies you do not know but – you are not calling on them. The visitor has the control of the encounter and approaches you. The cold call is TO you, not from you.

2. MOST VISITORS ARE FOCUSED –

They have a problem – immediate, perceived, anticipated or just a dream. They are looking for a solution, and in most cases, they are casing your company as a solution provider. This means you need to listen carefully to strangers and slot their concerns into your arsenal of answers.

3. MOST VISITORS KNOW YOUR COMPANY –

Maybe not intimately as a client, or even as prospect, but via Internet research, industry gossip, publicity, conversations with your clients,. Unless you are a brand-new venture with absolutely no exposure, your name and reputation are out there. Today, there is no privacy thanks to technology.

4. SELLING IS SELLING –

Does it really matter who starts the Sales Dance? Some exhibitors insist on leading this cha-cha – which may turn into a slow waltz when they don't listen or acknowledge that control of the conversation belongs to the visitor.

5. UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS –

At a trade show, the visitor is in charge. The visitor has made these major decisions TO– Spend the money, take the time to go the show Read the Show Program, decide to visit certain exhibitors Actually attend the show Walk down each aisle Spot which exhibits – pre-selected or not - to visit Stop at your exhibit Engage in conversation, request follow-up

What happens after this is out of the control of the trade show staff and moves to sales for follow-up. At which point, it is certainly not a cold call.

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Julia O'Connor - Speaker, Author, Consultant - writes about practical aspects of trade shows. As president of Trade Show Training, inc,, now celebrating its 10th year, she works with companies in a variety of industries to improve their bottom line and marketing opportunities at trade shows.

Julia is an expert in the psychology of the trade show environment and uses this expertise in sales training and management seminars. Contact her at 804-355-7800 or check the site http://www.TradeShowTraining.com