Promoting Your Business at a Conference

You probably have already heard about promoting your businesses at conferences and trade shows by purchasing advertising and exhibit hall space, but how can you promote yourself if you are merely attending the conference and you don't want to spend the extra money for exhibit space? Here are a few ideas:

1. Pass out your business cards! As you go from booth to booth in the exhibit hall, introduce yourself and hand out your card. Tell the person you are talking to who you are and what you do. Look for opportunities to develop mutually beneficial partnerships between your business and theirs. If you attend a workshop or seminar, introduce yourself to the people sitting around you. Give them your card.

2. Put your website on your name badge. If the conference promoters won't pre-print it for you, hand write your URL on your badge.

3. Take pictures and tell people you'll be publishing them on your website. Get their names and their permission., and give them your card so they can find your site to see their pictures.

4. Be prepared to talk about your business with others at the conference. Some people go to conferences as if they are on vacation. They are not prepared for conversations about business. Always remember that, as a self-employed business person, you are never "not working." You need to always be prepared to discuss and promote your business.

Be open to opportunity!