Today, there is no shortage of ways to generate leads. The internet has made data collection easier and more accurate than ever before, enhancing both inbound and outbound marketing strategies. At the end of the day, the best way to generate leads is by building relationships with consumers and business partners. Human interaction is key in this development.
While video chats and phone calls help facilitate these interactions, nothing is more effective than shaking someone’s hand and looking them directly in the eye. Of course, transportation and scheduling conflicts can make it difficult to be in the same room as someone else at any given time. This is why collaborative events are so important.
If you’ve ever seen or attended a convention, conference, or showcase, you already know about collaborative event marketing. It’s a way for companies to come together to increase brand recognition, make sales, teach others via presentation, and find potential leads. These events can be large or small, and either exclusive or open to the public. A single business might create and run the event, inviting other businesses and sponsors to join, or several companies might create the event together.
These events work for a variety of reasons. On the consumer end, people willingly choose to attend them, meaning they’re already interested in some of the products and services on display. Businesses benefit from attending or creating these events as well. A shared venue means plenty of opportunities to mingle with other business leaders to talk about ideas, share contact information, and learn about new industry developments. Also, every company in attendance can freely present, advertise and possibly sell their products throughout the event.
Collaborative events provide ample opportunities for businesses to get creative in their lead generation strategies. The level of freedom will depend on the size of the venue and how much space is allowed for each business. With enough space, a business can reserve a table to set up business cards, sign-up sheets for contact information, product displays, and more. This is all standard fare, though. To stand out among the crowd, a business might try some other techniques.
One fun way to land new leads is to set up a game. Businesses might create a spinning wheel or card game to entice attendees to visit their table. These games might offer prizes such as promotional gifts or coupons. While the person plays, a representative might also inform them of the business’ services, products, and/or mission. When the game is over, it’s much easier to continue talking to the person who was playing. This can be a great ice breaker for building a new relationship and generating leads.
If an event features a luncheon or dinner, this provides another avenue for lead generation. Tables can be set up strategically or at random so business leaders can get to know one another and make new connections. Talking over food and drinks is another great icebreaker and ensures a more positive atmosphere for communication.
Collaborative events are one of the most effective methods for generating leads. It allows people to come together in one place to share ideas and establish connections. ProScout Lead Generation can create and manage value-based events for your business. These include lunches, seminars, happy hours, and open houses to help you get your message out there and close deals. ProScout will use data to find the perfect invitation list for your next event. To learn more, contact us at our Chattanooga or Nashville, TN offices here.