How to survive on fairs
Here you are: stretching your legs, coming out of the office, making for the world to see you. But hey! You’re not a superhero! Keep your eyes wide open, listen to what people say and what they gossip about. You never know who’s gonna sit right next to you in the lounge or who’ll want to buy you a beer.
Fairs are organized for salesmen, but if you’re just a visitor, you can never tell how things will go. But there are some things worth keeping in mind.
Organize yourself
Book a hotel as close to the place as you can afford. Your legs will appreciate it after working hours and coming back at night form the pub. Besides, you don’t know the city, remember?
Take your time. Don’t rush. Those crowds are here for two or three days. Take a look around, find an emergency exit, a snack bar and perhaps some beautiful girls with a lottery ticket. I mean, if you’re already there – why not win an iPhone or a Kindle. Not for you, for the team of course. Check your mailbox, read the bulletin and better drink coffee cause you’re gonna need it!
Be a good listener. It’s not a surprise that people in the booths want to sell. Don’t bother them with how good you and your products are. They don’t give a damn. Just try to make a connection, praise the glory of XX century inventions like emails, TGV trains or headphones. Memorize those faces. After coming back I’m sure you’ll want to check their profile on Facebook or LinkedIn or even send the invitation. Anyone who denies this is a liar.
Leave your business cards everywhere. You paid for them for a reason. It’s said that for every 100 cards taken, two or three people will contact you. It means a lot of handshakes and asking questions. Find the right guy to talk about your way of changing his business. Be specific, you don’t want to bore people to death. Talk even to those, who aren’t involved in your network. Maybe someday they’ll be or they’ll have connections. It costs nothing to be sociable.
Socialize
Pics are essential. Not for the next generations, but for your blog, fanpage and so on. Show how fun it was to be there. Once they see themselves on your website or Facebook profile, they have to like it.
Be at the afterparties. They don’t organize those? Well, make them. Aim at happy hours, save money, be smart and involve people. „Hey, wanna join for a beer at Green Donkey? Everybody’s in”. Duh… Suddenly you end up with Mr Microsoft Managing Director For The Whole World and Ms. Facebook Marketing Specialist For North Korea in a pub, singing English anthem and finishing 9th mug, squeezed between Manchester football fans and lovers of hard rock. These are the things to remember! Or not, if you won’t stop drinking.
Stay in touch. You didn’t come there just to see how it goes, right? Things don’t sell by themselves. Well… some do, but usually it’s not your case. That’s the boring part, it’s time to go back and make hay while the sun shines. And prepare for the next ride.
One thing I know for sure: whatever you do, don’t wear HIGHheels.
