TradeShow Giveaways – Do You Think About Your SWAG?

On my main blog, I posted an article on tradeshow SWAG – better known as trade show giveaways.

After nearly 30 years in the trade show business, it amazes that some trade show managers or marketing/event managers put little to no thought into choosing a piece of advertising that an attendee can actually take home or to their office with a brand on it.

So, I wrote this piece on trade show giveaways. You can find it here – http://funnymotivationalspeaker.wordpress.com/ .

 

Trade Show Manager – Using an In-House Presenter at a Trade Show Can Kill ROI

If your company has decided to deliver its message via a theatre style presentation at a trade show, one of the easiest ways to fail is to use an in-house presenter. The only exception is if your company is hosting the show or you have the biggest booth and the latest “hot thing.” If that’s so, then an in-house presenter may work. However, if that is not the case, and you’re just “another exhibitor” at the show, no matter how great you or your executives “think” your product is, using an in-house presenter can reduce your ROI and most likely deliver bad, if not embarrassing results.

By embarrassing, I mean your booth will suffer from few attendees in seats, attendees leaving during the presentation and more. This translates into few quality leads, even fewer demos, angry sales reps, and even disgruntled employee/presenters, as well as executives who can’t understand why the seats are empty and no one is listening. What’s worse is an empty booth with nothing but chairs and no attendees – talk about sending a message. (The message: no one really cares about what you have to offer.)

And don’t kid yourself into thinking that “those who stay and listen are better qualified.” That’s a cop-out. You have no idea if those who got up and left were qualified or not. They were bored and you lost the opportunity to provide them with your messaging. (Additionally, if you ask the hand-full of porfessional trade show magicians that work full time at trade shows, we will tell you that we love to be next to a booth that has an in-house presenter as we will gather all the attendees missed by your booth.)

So, why do most in-house presentations fail? Primarily, because most in-house presenters (employees of your company) do not possess the same type of personality on a professional level as that of a professional trade show presenter and they can’t compete against a professional trade show presenter, let alone a trade show magician who blends content with entertainment. Bottom line: While your in-house presenter may be the “funny” one at the office or perform at local theatres, they lack the same level of professionalism, as well as the skills and knowledge to perform the job.

As a trade show magician with nearly 30 years of experience in a variety of industries, I know that facing an audience 2-3 times an hour for 8 hours a day is challenging and hard work, but a professional trade show presenter knows how to do it. They are professional speakers who earn their living week after week by providing this service. They know how to keep information fresh and exciting. They know how to guide attendees to demos and keep the seats filled.

While using an in-house presenter will save you money, it’s not unlike an airline using an unseasoned pilot to fly a major airplane. The risk far outweighs the cost savings.

After all, your company has spent a small fortune in exhibiting at the show – from the booth and set-up to hotel expenditures and promotions. And contrary to your executive’s belief system, it’s not more cost effective to sponsor the golf tournament or lunch than to use a professional presenter. Attendees don’t remember which company sponsored what – nor do they care, but they will remember your message, if delivered properly. And what’s more important – a chicken wrap for lunch or your message being heard by attendees?

To try and save money at the exact point where you have an opportunity to deliver your sales message to existing and potential customers is ridiculous. Yet, I have seen many trade show managers drop the ball, when it comes to getting the main message out in a professional and engaging way. True, oftentimes, it’s not their fault, as a product manager or executive thinks that their people can “do the job” and attempting to convince them otherwise is like trying to teach a pig to sing. They only find out they were wrong at the show and secretly blame the trade show manager for the poor result.

However, if you do have the power to decide whether or not you should out-source the use of a professional trade show presenter or try and save money by using one of your own employees, remember that while your employee may be good at his or her job, they are not a professional speaker who specializes in working trade shows. And since the theatre is the main focus of your exhibit and the key area where your messaging will be heard, you don’t want an unseasoned person “flying the plane.” If you do choose for the in-house presenter, be prepared for a lower ROI, followed by a lot of explaining on your part, when you get back to your office after the show.

Bob Garner is recognized as one of the best trade show magicians in the industry. With an impressive worldwide client list of Fortune 1000 corporations, Bob helps his clients increase their trade show ROI via effective presentations, as well as consulting. Visit his trade show magician site for demos and video client testimonials.

©2013 Bob Garner. All Rights Reserved. You may use this article, but you must use the whole article, the byline and author resource links.

Article on Making Sure Your Corporate Entertainment Doesn’t Destroy Your Client or Employee Appreciation Event

You’ve done a lot of hard work for your event and then your entertainment bombs. Who gets the blame? You do. Don’t let that happen. There is a process for choosing the right corporate entertainer and corporate entertainment. Why not use it?

Check out this article on corporate entertainment that provides 7 tips to make sure that your corporate event entertainment doesn’t destroy your customer appreciation event or your employee appreciation event.

http://tinyurl.com/3nkvr54

Trade Show Magician and Corporate Entertainer Garner Aids Clients in Doubling Booth Demos and Creating Buzz in Two New Videos

As a trade show magician, my responsibility is to draw attention to my client’s exhibit, entertain the crowds and, also, deliver important information about my client’s service or product.

Being a corporate magician – that is a corporate entertainer who uses his/her skills as a magician to enhance a corporate presentation – allows me more flexibilty then a typical trade show presenter, who is just a “talking head.” Most people liked to be entertained, while they are learning.

My style is that of a trade show mentalist, which is different from a trade show magician. However, whatever you want to label it, the job is to help the client get a better ROI from their massive trade show investment.

With that said, I am appreciative of my clients who provide me with a video testimonial. While I have all of my written testimonials on file – and they match my client list – the video testimonials are special.

Here are two of the latest:

In this video, my client confirms that I DOUBLED their booth demos…

 

In  this video, my client confirms that I created a “BUZZ” for them and aided their reps in “breaking the ice.”

 

Bottom Line:  If you just want to show up at a trade show and wait for attendees to “drop by,” then you probably don’t want me – or any draw in your booth.  However, if you want to actually get attendee’s attention; have your reps speaking to more interested prospects; create a “BUZZ” at your booth and increase your number of demos, then give me a call or go to my trade show magician site. Watch the video demo of my services as a trade  show corporate magician.

Kindness: Give Me Flowers… While I’m Alive

Have you ever noticed what happens at a funeral? Someone dies and everyone sends beautiful flowers and expressive cards. They show up at the funeral and say nice things about the departed. (To whom are they speaking?)

Food for thought: If the departed could hear you, what do you think would be said about you? Maybe, “Wow … it would have been nice if you would have said that to me when I was alive.” or perhaps, “Look at all of these flowers! I didn’t know that all of you really cared.”

Think about the people with whom you interact with now. How often do you say thank you? How often do you stop what you are doing and say to someone “I love you”? How often do you practice “random acts of kindness” toward family and friends (and strangers)?

In the corporate world, when someone retires, they throw a party and people come up and say, “It was great working with you. You always did such a fantastic job.” Question: Did those same people ever say that to that person, while he or she was working at their job? Probably not.

What difference does it make that you think someone did a good job, when they are walking out the office door never to return again? What difference does it make when someone is dead that you thought he or she was a valued friend, if you never told them so when they were alive?

What about people you don’t know? What about hotel maids, front desk help, service reps? I have seen people order waiters around like they were indentured servants. When the waiter delivered what was asked, the recipient just ignored them.

Here’s another example: I was just at the airport and an airline employee went out of her way to help a passenger find the right gate. I mean the employee stopped what she was doing, walked this woman out to the monitors, showed her where her flight was located on the monitor, and then walked her in the right direction. The passenger didn’t even say thank you. She just kept walking. The airline employee stood there, shrugged her shoulders, and went back to doing what she was doing, prior to the passenger’s questions. Would it have killed that passenger to say “thank you”?

What we’re talking about is kindness. It’s about doing the “right thing.” As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The time is always right to do the right thing.” Why wait until your fellow employee is walking out the door for the last time to tell that person you enjoyed working with him? Why wait to tell an employee that she is doing a great job? Why wait to say thank you to someone who assists you … helps you … extends a kindly gesture? Why wait until a loved one dies, before you tell that person that you care about them?

The “right time” to do the “right thing” is right now. And don’t expect that your actions will always be reciprocated or rewarded, because – as in my airport example – most often they will not. However, you can’t wait for others to be kind; you have to show them how.

Mark Twain wrote, “Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Doing the “right thing” is to speak the language of kindness to others, while they are in a position to receive it. Make a point today – and everyday – to give kindness to people while they are in our midst. Give them “flowers” … while they are alive.

Recognized as one of the leading funny keynote motivational speakers, this article is an adaptation from Bob Garner’s popular free motivational podcasts. Listen at Bob’s funny keynote motivational speaker site and click on “Podcasts” at the bottom of the page.

©2012 Bob Garner. All Rights Reserved. You may use this article, but you must use the byline and author resource.

Client Confirms Corporate Trade Show Magician Provides Great Leads and ROI

At SPECS 2012, corporate trade show magician Bob Garner appeared in the NOVAR booth and WOWED the attendees for his 3rd straight year. Here is what the VP of Marketing had to say…

Great leads and ROI, as well as plenty of traffic. Few trade show magicians  – or the generic trade show presenter – can provide these kind of testimonials.

Watch a number of trade show magician video testimonials of Bob and see why if you want to create a “BUZZ” at your next show; if you want great leads and ROI, then  you need trade show mentalist Bob Garner.

Working From Home – Home Based Business Success for Entrepreneurs and Others

Many entrepreneurs work from home. While this can be liberating, it can be challenging, as well. For those who were previously employed by a company, making the transition to being an entrepreneur can be doubly challenging, as you will understand what any entrepreneur will tell you that it’s now all up to you to get the job done. As a successful entrepreneur for nearly 30 years, here are six tips to help those new to the world of entrepreneurship – as well as those entrepreneurs who have been doing it for a while, but may need a reminder – to be more successful,

 1 – Your Environment: Clear out an area from which you can comfortably work. If this can be a stationary location such as a small desk or table in your abode – or a separate room – so much the better. That way, you know when you sit down in that location, you are “at work.” Having a dry erase board, a post-it board or something hanging from a wall on which to clip notes is always good for reminders, etc. With regard to keeping your desk neat and tidy, Albert Einstein said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what then is an empty desk a sign?” Well, I would ask, “Of what then is an orderly desk a sign?” Unless you have a mind like Einstein, keeping your work location neat and orderly may be beneficial to increasing your overall efficiency.

2 – Minimize Visual Distractions: Make sure your work space is free from visual distractions such as the television or awaiting chores (i.e. dirty dishes in the sink). That doesn’t mean that you must face away from a window with a nice view. It means eliminating what might detract you. If you are in the middle of an important conversation and something comes on the television that distracts you, then you have just potentially created an uncomfortable moment that could have been avoided. The TV diverted your attention, which is different from looking out the window and taking a short break.

3 – Minimize Interruptions: When working from home, put phone numbers from relatives or friends who may call during your work day on vibrate. When checking your email, skip over personal messages until you take a break – that is also the time to check your personal phone messages. Also, refrain from web surfing, tweeting, and Facebooking, during your work time. Focus on what needs to get done and do it.

4 – Work Time & Breaks: Coordinate your day, so that you know when you will be working and when you will be taking any breaks. Try to stick to that time schedule. When it’s time to take a break, step away from your “office.” When it’s time to return to work, put personal issues or responsibilities aside and do your business.

5 – Shirt or Slippers: Maybe you can work just fine at home in your pajamas or sweats. However, for many people, “cleaning up” and wearing something more “appropriate” can increase efficiency and overall productivity. You don’t need to put on what you might wear if you were to actually go into the office, but you will probably feel more “professional” if you are wearing something other than a bathrobe and fuzzy slippers.

6 – Make Time for Motivation and Inspiration: Prior to starting your work day, take a few moments to read something that will inspire or motivate you. As stated, working from home requires discipline and discipline requires you to be self-motivated. Write down some sayings or affirmations that you like and keep them near your workspace.

While these strategies appear to be simple, many entrepreneurs will overlook them. However, by following these strategies, you may increase your performance and productivity and, therefore, be more successful as an entrepreneur.

What do I do as an entrepreneur? I’m a trade show magician. That’s right. Corporations worldwide engage me to drive traffic to their booth and act as their spokesperson. To find out more about my work as one of the leading trade show magicians, just click on the links. You can also view my trade show magician video here .

©2012 Bob Garner. All Rights Reserved. You may use this article, but you must use the byline and author resource. Jillops works for Bob Garner.

Trade Show Presenter Testimonial Confirms Trade Show Magician Garner is the Best

It’s one thing to have a client write a testimonial, but it’s another thing to have them be willing to be video taped. I really appreciate it when my clients take the time to provide me with a video testimonial.

At the show referenced on this testimonial, I was not there as a trade show magician – I rarely am – I was a trade show mind reader. And after I got a crowd, I would then transition the attendees to two of the best trade show presenters in the business.  (I have been booking these trade show presenters for many years and I am proud to have them on my team.)

The show was awesome and we all had a great time and helped our client achieve their goal. Take a look at the video for a super testimonial. Thank you Bev!

For more information on my services under trade show magicians or trade show presenter, just click on the link.

Deal With Challenges – Harry Houdini Can Teach You About Dealing With Challenges

As a trade show magician and funny motivational speaker who uses magic and mind reading in my presentations, my life was transformed by reading about Houdini when I was 8 years old.

Even though Harry Houdini died 85 years ago on Halloween, his legend lives on. Check out this post on what Houdini can teach you about dealing with challenges and escaping from problems: http://funnymotivationalspeaker.wordpress.com/2011/10/27/dealing-with-challenges-and-escaping-from-problems-what-harry-houdini-can-teach-you/

 

Trade Show Magician Testimonial Confirms Bob Garner is the Best

Looking for a trade show magician? You need to check out this blog http://funnymotivationalspeaker.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/trade-show-magician-testimonial-confirms-no-one-can-do-what-bob-garner-does/ and watch the video.

Instead of a boring trade show presenters, trade show magicians deliver excitement, as well as a message.  A good trade show magician brings in a crowd, delivers content and then pre-qualifies attendees and gets them into the exhibit to talk to reps. That’s trade show ROI! That’s trade show magic!