Trade shows and conventions are ideal places to promote your meeting planning services, and are a great way to come in contact with large numbers of potential clients in a cost-effective, efficient manner. While there are many ways to advertise your business, few allow you to enjoy face-to-face contact with prospects like conventions and trade shows. As an added benefit, if you select events that are related to business, meeting planning, travel, event planning and related topics, the prospects with which you will come in contact have an increased likelihood of being members of your target audience.

This type of targeted marketing allows you to increase awareness of your services and expand your business, while staying withing your set marketing budget and avoiding incurring unnecessary costs. Advertising can be expensive, but you can rein in these costs by opting for tabling at events that focus on your market. If you plan to table at multiple events, it is well worth the initial investment to purchase a creative, professional display that is easy to put up and take down, and convenient to transport. This will cut down on your set up and break down time, and will keep your table looking organized and professional, allowing you to focus on meeting prospects and introducing them to your brand.

If you have your own planning business and have suffered over the summer, you’re in good company. Almost every business has reported less business. Even though things are picking up for most people at least to a small degree, things may have changed permanently for planners. You might have to change your methods, advertising, and even your day-to-day business activities to stay lean but productive.

However, one of the best things you can do for yourself–and your clients–is stay positive. Of course you have heard that all summer long. But there is a reason for this you may not have heard from anyone else. Besides keeping yourself emotionally and mentally healthy, it helps you keep your customers. Read the rest of this entry »