What Are the Most Effective Tips for Engaging Leads Pre-Show and Post-Show?: Part One

Published on:

May 28, 2024

Published in:

Marketing, Part One

Each week, we delve into the realm of artificial intelligence, posing one burning question to three prominent AI programs. After three decades in the event industry, TPNI has discovered that AI offers valuable insights and innovative perspectives on the logistical and technological advancements for planning successful events.
We asked three AI programs—ChatGPT by Open AI, Gemini from Google, and Bing’s Co-Pilot—our question for this week: 

First, here’s what ChatGPT had to say:

Engaging leads effectively before and after a trade show or event is crucial for maximizing your ROI and building lasting relationships. Here are some of the most effective tips for engaging leads pre-show and post-show:

Pre-Show Engagement Tips

  1. Identify and Segment Your Target Audience:
    • Use data and analytics to identify your target audience.
    • Segment your leads based on their interests, industry, and level of engagement.
  2. Personalized Outreach:
    • Send personalized invitations to your target leads.
    • Use email marketing campaigns tailored to their needs and preferences.
  3. Leverage Social Media:
    • Promote your presence at the show on social media platforms.
    • Engage with potential attendees by creating event-specific hashtags and participating in event-related discussions.
  4. Content Marketing:
    • Share valuable content related to the event, such as blog posts, infographics, and videos.
    • Offer sneak peeks of what attendees can expect at your booth or sessions.
  5. Schedule Appointments:
    • Allow leads to schedule one-on-one meetings or demos in advance.
    • Use scheduling tools to streamline the process and ensure availability.
  6. Interactive Pre-Show Campaigns:
    • Run contests, quizzes, or surveys to engage leads and build excitement.
    • Offer incentives such as early access to new products or exclusive content.
  7. Email Reminders:
    • Send reminder emails leading up to the event with details about your booth location, schedule, and any special activities.

Post-Show Engagement Tips

  1. Prompt Follow-Up:
    • Follow up with leads within a few days after the event.
    • Personalize your follow-up emails based on your interactions and their interests.
  2. Share Event Highlights:
    • Send a post-show email recapping the event highlights, including photos, videos, and key takeaways.
    • Include links to any presentations or sessions that were recorded.
  3. Nurture Campaigns:
    • Place leads into targeted nurture campaigns based on their behavior and interests.
    • Provide valuable content that continues the conversation started at the show.
  4. Leverage Social Proof:
    • Share testimonials, case studies, or success stories from the event.
    • Highlight positive feedback and outcomes to build credibility.
  5. Offer Exclusive Content or Promotions:
    • Provide leads with access to exclusive content, such as whitepapers, e-books, or webinars.
    • Offer special post-show promotions or discounts as a thank you for their interest.
  6. Schedule Follow-Up Meetings:
    • Invite leads to schedule follow-up meetings or demos to discuss their needs in more detail.
    • Use online scheduling tools to make it easy for them to book time with you.
  7. Survey and Feedback:
    • Send a survey to gather feedback about their experience at the event and with your booth.
    • Use the feedback to improve future engagements and demonstrate that you value their input.
  8. Utilize CRM Tools:
    • Ensure all lead information is accurately entered into your CRM system.
    • Track and manage follow-up activities to ensure no lead falls through the cracks.

By effectively engaging leads both before and after the event, you can build stronger relationships, convert more leads into customers, and enhance the overall success of your trade show efforts.

If you’d like to learn more about how to make the most out of your event, reach out to us at customerservice@tpni.com for a customized consultation.

Don’t forget to come back later this week for Part Two and Part Three! We’ll be sharing what the other two AI programs had to say in response to this week’s question.