Many girls are asking me how did we do it? How did we manage to get sponsored for a booth for Exxxotica Miami? There is no easy question, but what I did do was come up with a way to help OTHER girls who can't afford $1500 for a booth at the expo's a way to attend, exhibit and promote themselves without paying the full fee. I even came up with a way to promote your brand, website, and name without even having to attend. HOW? It's VERy simple.
But before we get started on details, let's talk about what you need to know about EXHIBITING at a convention. I've blogged about GOING to a convention but actually exhibiting is a whole new playing field. Here are some of the things you need to know BEFORE opting to have a booth.
1. The cost of the booth only BEGINS your expenses. Your intent should be to brand yourself, get some recognition and network with other stars, companies and fans. Aside your expense of JUST the booth alone, you have travel costs (if your expo is out of your home city), hotel accommodations and your eating expenses.
2. Once you have budgeted the expense of the booth plus travel, etc now you have to think about the cosmetics of your booth. WHat is going to look like? What will YOU have that will draw the fans in and attendees to come and stop at your booth? Wall banners, trade show banners, and other visuals are necessary to help decorate and offer a unique impression on anyone walking by.
3. PRESENTATION IS KEY! Ok so now they are at your booth, NOW WHAT? If you are in a bad mood save yourself and stay home. The LAST thing you want to do is piss off a fan or come across as being "diva" and bitchy. If you just want attention go stand on the stage and yell FIRE... Don't bother exhibiting at the event and paying to be rude to people. Usually its the stars that sit and sign for other companies that tend to be snooty and could care less about presentation but this is YOUR chance to shine.
4. Promotional items are necessary to help network with your peers, potential companies for future work and indeed your fans alike. I recommend the 5x7 and 4x6 sizes for photos because the average person isn't going to place your 8x10 in a frame. If anything it gets bent and torn from all the goodies they get at the show and is likely to be thrown in the garbage. I hate to say it but its true. A large portion of the material obtained at the shows are thrown away at some point or another so establishing a good conversation and providing MEMORABLE business cards, signed photos and other goodies is a MUST.
5. Keep your conversations simple, positive and to the point. The last thing you need is to be talking to someone who turns out to be someone from the media and what you are saying is being "quoted" for tv, internet, blogs or newspapers. Trust me, its a tactic seen oh so many times. They know that if they tell you who they are you will give them "cookie cutter" answers so they come with a general approach and ask questions that will be repeated later. Treat it like a press conference. If they ask you something specific, then give them the press answer "Awww yeah, well I am not at liberty to speak on that right now... shall we talk about my new radio show coming out? I am real excited about it!!" This is NOT the place to air dirty laundry and act a donkey or show your ass. If recognition is what you seek, this is NOT the way to get it.
6. Wear comfy shoes. I said this in the attending blog and I will say it EVEN MORE SO in the exhibiting. You will be at the show all day in most cases so walk in with comfy shoes and if you decide to get sexy then make sure you have a chair to sit in. Not all booths come equipped with tables and chairs. Enough said.
7. Tables & chairs are not always provided. If you need them buy them - its cheaper to buy a table and chairs then to rent. If you are driving, then you can take them home with you.
8. Find out where your booth is and be prepared to make the best of any location. Being near the exit is NOT a bad thing because you are the LAST impression and exhibitor before your attendee's leave so you get to be the LAST thing they remember. Make an impression that lasts. Know who you are around, so for instance if they place you next to the body airbrush booth you can work out some deals to exchanges or simply network.
9. Set up a photo station for taking photos with fans and bring a photo printer so that you can print them. Get there early to set this up... it may not happen as easy as you like so make sure you get all that squared away enough in advance.
10. Take promotional dvd's for a display of your video work. Portable dvd players are best for this, although if you CAN bring a bigger screen laptop.
11. Watch your stuff, you don't want sticky hands walking off with your goodies. The show does NOT assume responsibility for items lost, stolen or damaged. Make sure you keep an eye on all of your things.
I will add more as they come to mind but for now that is what I can come up with. So the big question comes up now, how can I merge with others to eliminate some of the costs of exhibiting and help stretch my investment?
I am putting together a package that will give you an option to exhibit, your entry pass, your logo and url on the booth banner, your logo and url on promotional items and more. For those who can't attend the show, they get the same benefits minus the booth fees and entry pass. Prices are coming soon, for those bbw's interested please email me at platinumpuzzy@gmail.com.
BEFORE YOU EMAIL ME, POSITIVE, NON DRAMA, NON CADDY females/males ONLY! If you represent that crap online I can only assume you are going to bring that to the booth and the purpose of exhibiting in a public venue is to show the masses that we aren't crazy, hungry big chicks mad at the world with a burger in our mouth! A lot of people in mainstream see us as stereo typical drama queens with no class nor home training so let's not feed into it by lashing out. Go with a GOOD attitude, a smile and a marketing spirit that will win over new fans but also show your peers that we aren't ANYTHING like they thing!
XoXo Enough for now..
Kari
But before we get started on details, let's talk about what you need to know about EXHIBITING at a convention. I've blogged about GOING to a convention but actually exhibiting is a whole new playing field. Here are some of the things you need to know BEFORE opting to have a booth.
1. The cost of the booth only BEGINS your expenses. Your intent should be to brand yourself, get some recognition and network with other stars, companies and fans. Aside your expense of JUST the booth alone, you have travel costs (if your expo is out of your home city), hotel accommodations and your eating expenses.
2. Once you have budgeted the expense of the booth plus travel, etc now you have to think about the cosmetics of your booth. WHat is going to look like? What will YOU have that will draw the fans in and attendees to come and stop at your booth? Wall banners, trade show banners, and other visuals are necessary to help decorate and offer a unique impression on anyone walking by.
3. PRESENTATION IS KEY! Ok so now they are at your booth, NOW WHAT? If you are in a bad mood save yourself and stay home. The LAST thing you want to do is piss off a fan or come across as being "diva" and bitchy. If you just want attention go stand on the stage and yell FIRE... Don't bother exhibiting at the event and paying to be rude to people. Usually its the stars that sit and sign for other companies that tend to be snooty and could care less about presentation but this is YOUR chance to shine.
4. Promotional items are necessary to help network with your peers, potential companies for future work and indeed your fans alike. I recommend the 5x7 and 4x6 sizes for photos because the average person isn't going to place your 8x10 in a frame. If anything it gets bent and torn from all the goodies they get at the show and is likely to be thrown in the garbage. I hate to say it but its true. A large portion of the material obtained at the shows are thrown away at some point or another so establishing a good conversation and providing MEMORABLE business cards, signed photos and other goodies is a MUST.
5. Keep your conversations simple, positive and to the point. The last thing you need is to be talking to someone who turns out to be someone from the media and what you are saying is being "quoted" for tv, internet, blogs or newspapers. Trust me, its a tactic seen oh so many times. They know that if they tell you who they are you will give them "cookie cutter" answers so they come with a general approach and ask questions that will be repeated later. Treat it like a press conference. If they ask you something specific, then give them the press answer "Awww yeah, well I am not at liberty to speak on that right now... shall we talk about my new radio show coming out? I am real excited about it!!" This is NOT the place to air dirty laundry and act a donkey or show your ass. If recognition is what you seek, this is NOT the way to get it.
6. Wear comfy shoes. I said this in the attending blog and I will say it EVEN MORE SO in the exhibiting. You will be at the show all day in most cases so walk in with comfy shoes and if you decide to get sexy then make sure you have a chair to sit in. Not all booths come equipped with tables and chairs. Enough said.
7. Tables & chairs are not always provided. If you need them buy them - its cheaper to buy a table and chairs then to rent. If you are driving, then you can take them home with you.
8. Find out where your booth is and be prepared to make the best of any location. Being near the exit is NOT a bad thing because you are the LAST impression and exhibitor before your attendee's leave so you get to be the LAST thing they remember. Make an impression that lasts. Know who you are around, so for instance if they place you next to the body airbrush booth you can work out some deals to exchanges or simply network.
9. Set up a photo station for taking photos with fans and bring a photo printer so that you can print them. Get there early to set this up... it may not happen as easy as you like so make sure you get all that squared away enough in advance.
10. Take promotional dvd's for a display of your video work. Portable dvd players are best for this, although if you CAN bring a bigger screen laptop.
11. Watch your stuff, you don't want sticky hands walking off with your goodies. The show does NOT assume responsibility for items lost, stolen or damaged. Make sure you keep an eye on all of your things.
I will add more as they come to mind but for now that is what I can come up with. So the big question comes up now, how can I merge with others to eliminate some of the costs of exhibiting and help stretch my investment?
I am putting together a package that will give you an option to exhibit, your entry pass, your logo and url on the booth banner, your logo and url on promotional items and more. For those who can't attend the show, they get the same benefits minus the booth fees and entry pass. Prices are coming soon, for those bbw's interested please email me at platinumpuzzy@gmail.com.
BEFORE YOU EMAIL ME, POSITIVE, NON DRAMA, NON CADDY females/males ONLY! If you represent that crap online I can only assume you are going to bring that to the booth and the purpose of exhibiting in a public venue is to show the masses that we aren't crazy, hungry big chicks mad at the world with a burger in our mouth! A lot of people in mainstream see us as stereo typical drama queens with no class nor home training so let's not feed into it by lashing out. Go with a GOOD attitude, a smile and a marketing spirit that will win over new fans but also show your peers that we aren't ANYTHING like they thing!
XoXo Enough for now..
Kari
Comments