Going to a trade show/expo
Should be a great week for me, but wanted to run some questions by some pros. First, the background.
What I've got - I have built a hyperlocal directory in a small (12k) but affluent town that also has a bunch of 2nd homeowners.
The site is named mytowncontractors dot com and:
- Is still less than 2 months old
- Is already ranking ahead of BBB and other, more established, directory for 'contractors' keyword
- Has appx 12-13 businesses already on the site
I DO NOT give free listings to businesses. What each business gets is their own PAGE on the wordpress based site with a clickable logo/image, all of their contact info, link to existing website, and a brief (100-300 word) write up on their business and why people should call them.
The only other links on their page are to the directory categories. No other ads or anything like that.
The other thing I'm offering is the ability to share information via the blog that is set up on the same site, with categories set up in the blog that are the exact same as the category pages that are set up for visitors to find businesses. Basically, all any business that joins has to do is write their own blog post or get me the information, and I will post for them, with their contact info included.
Now, the first month, they could get their annual page with blogging ability, for $200. One time introductory pricing. Through January, it's gone up to $250 annually, and, beginning Feb 1, it's $300 annually.
Like I said, already ranking above locally established sites for the general search term 'contractors', and rising some categories - custom home builders, landscape, kitchen and bath, etc.
So, here's what's going on...
I have signed up for a local real estate expo/trade show in 2 days. There will be 50 exhibitors ranging from me to local banks to local builders to mortgages to local tradesmen, etc. The real estate company putting on the event has mailed out 3000 direct mail flyers to homeowners in the area.
My question is...what the f#@k should I do!?
What can I give away? I've got an online marketing magazine type of thing that I thought I could print hardcopies and give to businesses who are attending.
What can I have for a giveaway to joe q public?
I will have candy...everyone loves candy at tradeshows.
I will by then have some biz cards, but I think I'm going to give a different size of biz card, or something. May be to late and to expensive to get refridge magnets or something like that.
Anyway, post is way to long, but just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what I should, or SHOULD NOT, do.
In a moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing. ~ Theodore Roosevelt
What if they're not stars? What if they are holes poked in the top of a container so we can breath?