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Writer's pictureAlison French

The Power of the Ask - Crafting Compelling Calls to Action for Trade Show Success

Updated: Oct 1

Today, we're diving into a crucial element of your trade show strategy: the call to action (CTA). You've identified your ideal prospects, but now what? How do you motivate them to take that next step? Let's unlock the secrets to crafting CTAs that drive real results!


crafting a call to action

The Right CTA for the Right Situation

Your CTA needs to align with your trade show presence and goals. Let's break down some winning options:


1. "Stop by Your Booth": If you're exhibiting, this is your bread and butter. It opens the door for in-depth conversations and demos.


2. "Meet You Somewhere": Perfect for the "walk the show" or "post up" strategy. Suggest a nearby coffee shop or hotel lobby for a focused chat away from the noise.


3. "Say Hi at Their Booth": Great for building rapport when you're targeting exhibitors. Pro tip: Suggest specific times to avoid missing them in the crowd.


4. "Watch You Speak": If you're presenting, use this to gauge interest and follow up with attendees later.


5. "Demo Your Product": Whether at your booth or a pre-arranged meeting, this is ideal for showcasing technical solutions or visual benefits.


Crafting CTAs That Convert

Here's your recipe for a CTA that prospects can't resist:


1. Action-Oriented Verbs: Use words like "visit," "schedule," "connect," "watch," and "discover." They create a sense of momentum.


2. Benefit-Driven: Always highlight what's in it for them. What pain point will you solve? What opportunity will you unlock?


3. Urgency: Tap into that trade show FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Use phrases like "limited-time offer," "book your spot now," or "exclusive show discount."


4. Clear Next Steps: Don't leave them guessing. Spell out exactly how they can take action, whether it's your booth number, scheduling link, or presentation time.


Motivating Prospects to Take Action

Let's face it – your prospects are bombarded with requests at trade shows. How do you stand out? By getting creative with incentives that speak to the person, not just their professional persona.


1. High-Value Giveaways: Free AirPods for a 10-minute demo can be a powerful motivator.


2. Interactive Promotions: A scratch-off direct mail piece that must be redeemed at your booth for a cash prize creates excitement and urgency.


3. Exclusive Experiences: If you're walking the show, consider offering a meal at a hard-to-book restaurant or a unique local experience.


Remember: While these tactics can be effective, they should complement, not replace, a clear articulation of how you solve your prospect's problems.


CTAs Tailored to Your Target Audience

Remember those prospect tiers we talked about in the last post? Your CTAs should reflect those priorities:


1. Priority 1 Prospects: Offer personalized, high-touch CTAs like pre-scheduled, dedicated demos or consultations.


2. Priority 2 Prospects: Focus on discovery calls or short booth visits to gauge their level of interest.


3. Priority 3 Prospects: Invite them to follow your company updates, watch your speaking session, or connect on LinkedIn for future engagement.


Key Takeaways: Your Trade show & Conference CTA Action Plan

1. Segment Your CTAs: Don't use a one-size-fits-all approach. Tailor your calls to action based on your prospect tiers and your trade show strategy.


2. Emphasize the Value: Go beyond generic asks. Focus on the specific benefit they'll receive by taking action.


3. Test and Refine: Track which CTAs get the most responses, clicks, and booked meetings. Use that data to continually improve your approach.


Remember, a great CTA is your bridge from initial interest to meaningful engagement. By crafting compelling, benefit-driven calls to action, you're setting the stage for productive conversations and long-term relationships.


Stay tuned for our next post, where we'll explore the power of multi-channel outreach to maximize your trade show impact. You won't want to miss these strategies for reaching prospects wherever they are!

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