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Fish Bowl Marketing

Have you ever wondered why some businesses exhibit at Trade Shows and leave with Sizzlin HOT Leads that result in solid business opportunities, while others struggle to get qualified leads - even though they have  gathered every lead they can get their hands on while at the show?! There is a common misconception among some exhibitors; many feel compelled to leave with stacks and stacks of leads and resort to techniques such as “the fishbowl” approach.  : O  You know what I’m talking about!

For those of you who practice this habit, I am asking everyone to please “Save the Fishies” and stop using this approach for collecting leads! The fishies will thank you and your results will improve dramatically! Why? You ask!

Think back to the last show that you exhibited at with your handy dandy fishbowl, then think about those stacks of leads that you were so proud of collecting; during the follow up calls, how many times did you hear:

-  “What did I win?”

-  “Who are you again?”

-  “What is Your Product?”

-  “Oh you were the guys giving away xyz great prize! Did I win?!!!”

-  “Sorry, I don’t remember your business…"

….Ouch! That HAS to hurt! Are you starting to see why I oppose Fish Bowl Marketing approaches? The results are just not there – unless your sole purpose for exhibiting is to build a database!

There are plenty of targeted strategies you can apply for getting those Sizzlin HOT Leads you want; I don’t like to see businesses waste time OR money, so I am going to share a few of those tips with you to help you improve your Trade Show Leads!

Top 10 Tips for Obtaining Sizzlin HOT Leads:

1.  1.) Make sure you’re exhibiting at the right show for your business

2.  2.) Determine the Lead Acquisition and Follow up process BEFORE the show; inform all appropriate
    departments - and most importantly, the booth staffers!

3.  3.) Know what type of key prospects you are looking for (title, particular company, industry, etc.)

4.  4.) Have your signage address and direct your key prospects to the booth, NOT a stack of promotional
     items!

5.  5.) Ask prospects Open Ended Questions

6.  6.) Create a Lead Card with pre-printed multiple choice questions about the prospects needs

7.  7.) Write notes about the prospects needs

8.  8.) Categorize each lead

9.  9.) Let the prospects know when to expect follow up and what method will be used

10. 10.) Don’t expect to leave with stacks of leads – expect to leave with only several QUALIFIED, Sizzlin 
       HOT Leads that will result in business

• Cross promotion with UniLatina School of Business where the event was held; sent to their database, listed on their website, promoted at Networking Events, promoted at the school, etc.
• Seminar listing on the TradeShow Teacher Website
• Promotion on Social Networking Sites
• Colleagues posted the information on their websites