Exhibitor table marketing -- what works?

[DOGFOOD]

Hi, everyone:I have an opportunity to promote my practice at a networking meeting next Tuesday the 15th by having my own exhibitor table. My audience will be local business women (it's a chapter of the American Business Women's Assoc.). My question is this: if you've done this or something like it in the past, what materials did you display that were really effective at getting people to try your services? I know people will take the materials, but what materials will get them to make the call?Right now, I'm planning on taking newsletters, informational brochures both for massage and for the fitness facility where I rent space, business cards (of course), and some introductory offer coupons (maybe this would be a good time to try Eric Brown's "give to get" strategy?). I've thought about bringing my massage chair, but I think I'd rather meet & greet everyone who stops by, rather than be occupied at the chair. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Have a great day --Andrea

 

[noselessman]

I have never done anything like that, but maybe have them sign a guest book or do a drawing, so that you can follow up with them, within a few days.  I would do the give to get strategy.

 

[x man P]

Exhibitor table marketing -- what works?

I've done a few of these with other therapists and w/ the chiropractor I work for...with mixed results...Just a few suggestions---bring the chair-even if you don't use it , it will be a decent visual aid and conversation piece---a business card drawing(winner gets massage)---since it's a women's business conference, relate to women's issues regarding massage--have a sheet available with times you will be available for the upcoming week-and the silliest idea that works as a great conversation starter-have a bowl of mints for people(people always want fresh breath at these things..can ya blame them ?)-if I can think of anything else I'll let ya know------------p.s. , I had a chair with a roll-on display for sore muscles with info on massage and the product at ,of all things , a dart shooting tournament today...and it was great...three bookings for next week , a couple of sales , and a bunch of cards handed out--------opportunities are everywhere-good luck !!!

 

[........yewwww]

Brochures, business cards, & info  about the benefits of massage are all excellent ideas. Try samples, too (us women LOVVVEE samples!!) Biofreeze has a nice sample pack. I agree about the massage chair- . Alot of people have never seen one, and will stop by just to see what the heck it is, and once you get your hands on the, (even if for 3-4 min), oftentimes you will have hooked them on the idea. Have a book set up specifically for email addresses, tell them you have special offers just for people who leave their email!  (you can always send out monthy newsletters to these clients, also, with special offers)  As always, your hands will sell your service faster than ANY brochure, no matter how pretty it is. Take your chair, work 3 min per person. You can talk and work at the same time, talk to  other people (who WILL be watching you) while youre working on one.

 

[chefjoezieger]

I participated in the Phenomenews Body Mind Spirit Festival last year.  A friend and I that do chair massage together got some booth space, set our chairs up amongst all of the other therapists (right in between 2 other chair massagers) and while the event was long (9 hours) our total work time was about 4-5 hours and we walked away with about $500 total, not a bad take for the day!  We displayed our cards, a small little 1/3 page flyer on our business, as well as ideas to have us do (luncheons, bridal showers, meetings, etc), a small radio and a couple of massage tools.  I would definetely do it again, but it's better for a one time thing, because there were thousands of people there, but something like a women's luncheon would be a great way to generate some new business for yourself.

 

[SleepyJ]

Thank you all for your input!I was all set to bring my chair with me (and I did) but I forgot face cradle covers. I probably could have improvised, but honestly I think it worked out OK. Summer is here in Nebraska, which means incredibly sticky evenings, and that frequently means that people aren't in the mood to be touched (I have learned in the past). At any rate, I handed out coupons, bus. cards, and brochures and talked to a number of ladies about massage and yoga. A few asked if I'd be a guest speaker at their chapter in the fall. And I *just* now realized that I forgot to do the email list signup -- I tell you, it was a _crazy_ day yesterday.  But as my overriding business philosophy is "you just never know", I hope for the best. Thanks again to all of you for your great ideas -- I anticipate doing this again in the future and I will have an even better display then!Andrea

 

[udaya k]

I'm new to this site so here goes.  Thanks for your inputs on chair massage.  I recently was at a local festival and was the only booth with chair massage.  I had mints out for fresh breath and info I tied with a ribbon to hand out with business cards.  People were mostly curious about the Chair... only got 15 people to have massage.  It was my first exposure with the Chair.  Hope next time will be better.   Any suggestions?

 

[harxy]

Exhibitor table marketing -- what works?

your hands will sell your service faster than ANY brochure, no matter how pretty it is.

this is a great quote.

i've been doing a few expos and have a few big ones on the horizon for fall. fall seems to be the season for expos.

i used to do so much chair massage that i really got burned out on it and for the past few years have downright refused to do chair at events. but my new MT, the magic MT, has talked me back into and i forgot what an impact it makes with people who've never had massage before... i forgot how mesmerized they are when they get off the chair and i can tell you no brochure can top that.

we have two on the same day in september and then a three day event in october. i'm really looking forward to the possibilities. and at the one in september, the organization has suggested that we sell 10 minute sessions for $10 in lieu of giving away chair massage. this will help our hands with the 2-4K attendees but also help us make our booth fee back (and then some, hopefully!). so we're going to set up the tables with a screen and do clothed back and leg massage as well as sell the massage oils and bath products that miss magic makes.

last time what worked was getting the email addresses, sending a follow up email through constant contact and then researching which attendees clicked through to our site and were interested. we gave away 3 massages for each of the 3 of us to have the opportunity to make a new client. we also had our laptop and were able to book appts on the spot and show the website which people were very impressed with.

anyone else have any jewels since this thread began in '04?