FaceTime is the promotional body for face-to-face marketing. Think Events, Exhibitions and Experiential marketing.
It was founded in early 2010 to provide expertise and guidance for marketers and businesses, explaining why and how face-to-face marketing works and to get the very best out of it.
That is why when you have answers like these...
- 80% agree that live events deliver better ROI than other media
- 93% of marketers and business directors feel that face-to-face marketing is the most effective media channel to convert prospects
- 93% of marketers and business directors feel face-to-face marketing to be the most persuasive media channel
- 89% of marketers and business directors and business owners feel face-to-face marketing to be the best quality media channel
- 86% of business directors agree that exhibitions are the second most effective means of generating sales leads after a company's own website
- 87% of business directors agree it is easier to communicate with people face-to-face than on the phone or email
- 81% of directors agree that the average order value with human interaction is over 15 times greater compared to other media investment
- 85% strongly agree that meeting prospective customers in person leads to a longer term relationship
- 80% agree that a person spends more money with people or companies they have met face-to-face than with people not met
- 90% agree that a person is more likely to trust people/companies met face-to-face than people only communicated with via email and phone
...there is no need to ask "Why exhibitions?" but instead "How is the best way to exhibit?"
The better prepared you are before and during an exhibition - the more results you will have afterwards. Here are a few pointers to take onboard:
1. Set measurable objectives. Write down exactly what you wish to achieve when exhibiting. e.g. 150 qualified sales leads.
2. Choose the right exhibition. Select the exhibition that attracts the visitors you want to meet.
3. Organiser marketing plan. Ask to the see the exhibition organisers marketing plan to make sure it is going attract your potential customers.
4. Design your stand to meet your objectives. Good stand design helps deliver your exhibition objectives.
5. Train, train, train. 80% of the success of your stand is down to your staff SO TRAIN THEM.
6. Talk to strangers. At an exhibition there is no time to be be shy - speak to everyone.
7. Can I help you? Not a good opening question as the answer is almost always NO. Ask open questions that require more than a one word answer.
8. Record. You must must must record and classify all your leads.
9. Don’t. Use a mobile, eat on the stand, sit down, have your back to the aisle, have a messy stand or have cheap tacky giveaways.
10. Follow-up. If you don’t follow-up your leads then there is no point to exhibit. Make sure you follow-up all your leads at least six times after the show.
You can find more information on www.facetime.org.uk or contact OTSA directly if you have decided to take your business to the next level.
