January - February 2004
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In This Issue:
-- A Strategy Helps Make the Most of Trade Shows
-- Save $100 on Banner Stand / Roll-Up Displays
-- This Month's Featured Client - Real Mex Foods
-- Literature Rack Winner...
-- Featured Product - Puzzle Foam and Carpet Flooring
-- Member Question - Are "Lead Sheets" a Good Idea?

A Strategy Helps Make the Most of Trade Shows Of the many mistakes small-business owners make, a big one is participating in trade shows and business expositions without a strategy for turning those marketing opportunities into sales. Here are four tips to get you started... 1. Have a goal. What do you want to get out of the event? Most small-business owners think sponsoring an event will bring them a ton of business. Not necessarily. Follow-up is critical. 2. Make sure the audience is your market. If your company is a business-to-business provider and the events for consumers, the likelihood of new business is slim. Sponsoring an event that doesn't include your target market is just a waste of money. Do your homework. 3. Don't dismiss "expensive" events right away. Just because an entry cost is high doesn't mean you can't afford it. You could offer to work on the organizing committee, perform specific duties for the event or donate a product or prize in return for partial payment. 4. Plan for follow-up. Before you sign up for the show, have a plan in place for how you will follow up with those prospects interested in what you have to offer. This article was written by Denise O'Berry, a small-business consultant in Tampa, Flordia.

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Save $100 On Our Most Popular Banner Stand / Roll-Up Display... Sale Price = $649.00 -- That's a $100 Savings! Top quality, Innovative, retractable banner stand constructed of durable aluminum components. This unit is light weight, super easy to set up, and comes complete with a nylon carrying bag. - Available in black or silver - Includes full color printed graphic - 29.75" wide x 78" tall - Graphic design fee additional if required

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This Month's Featured Client - Real Mex Foods Carlos Angula of Real Mex Foods and Acapulco Restaurants came to TradeShowJoe.com looking for a unique trade show display. Carlos visited our site to seek assistance in acquiring a 10ft pop up display with custom design full graphics. After a brief discussion, Carlos decided to purchase a display and professional graphic design from our company. After some discussion, Carlos then offered to provide brochures to help us understand the look and feel he wanted for the display. Armed with this information, our designers were able to closely capture the basic look and feel while effectively conveying the client's marketing message. The completed project is very successful and serving the needs well for Real Mex Foods! Quote: "Your designers captured the feel of the brochure very well. We are very pleased with the display." Carlos Angula Real Mex Foods Inc. Santa Fe, CA

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Literature Rack Giveaway... Congratulations to Kellie - Richmond Association of Realtors - Richmond, Virginia... winner of a brand new TSJ Slope Literature Stand! The TSJ-Slope Literature Rack is stylish and practical. If elegance is important, then the TSJ-Slope three-pocket literature stand gives you a custom designer look for half the cost. The "flat-pack" design is assembled in seconds and will transform the appearance of any trade show display. The TSJ-Slope Literature Racis is available in black or stylish silver power-coated finish - and includes nylon carrying bag. Please click here for information on this literature stand, as well as other styles of literature racks.

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Puzzle Foam and Carpet Flooring Are you tired of paying outrageous prices to rent carpet for trade shows? If so, we've got the perfect solution... Buy your own carpet in convenient, easy to transport 2' x 2' squares! Tradeshowjoe.com proudly offers custom portable tiled flooring, perfectly suited for any trade show application. Both carpet and foam are available and each option comes in a variety of colors. Each 2x2 tile connects together much like a jig saw puzzle. And, for maximum convenience, we offer plastic molded carrying cases with wheels. Your feet and your wallet will thank you for purchasing portable flooring from TradeShowJoe.com! Call us toll-free... 866-821-1520, or email us with any questions or to order. Visit our custom portable flooring page for more information...

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Member Question - Are "Lead Sheets" a Good Idea? MEMBER QUESTION: Member Question - Are "Lead Sheets" a Good Idea? TRADESHOWJOE RESPONSE: YES... Lead sheets are both a good idea and a great way to keep up with the potential new clients you meet at the show! We suggest that you create a lead sheet with specific information, making sure you have everything you need to do a follow-up. Remember to always follow-up within the first week, as even the best impressions only last so long. Additionally, your lead sheet should be small and to the point. Sincerely, Sherry Douglas TradeShowJoe.com ---------- Do you have a trade show question for our experts? If so, please send it to info@tradeshowjoe.com. We will respond to all questions and post one new question each month in our newsletter.