Working Your Company's Trade Show Displays: Special Tips To Make Customers Feel Important

Reintroducing yourself to a potential client that you've met before is embarrassing. Nothing makes someone feel less important than having to tell a sales person that they've already been introduced. If you're having problems remembering a customer's name when they're visiting your trade show displays, use these tips to help make visitors to your trade show booth feel important and valued.

Introduce Yourself Immediately

You can't rely on a nametag to know what someone likes to be called. The tag might be spelled incorrectly or may not be what the client actually uses. For instance, someone named Michael may prefer Mike, or vice versa. Don't just assume you can use a nickname unless invited because nothing turns off a potential client like a sales person who's too familiar right off the bat.

Making Connections Through Observations And Association

While this method may not work for every visitor to your booth, making observations about names can be a great start toward remembering what to call someone. For instance, if a client's surname is 'Greenburg,' you can imagine them sitting on a large, green iceberg or holding a head of green, iceberg lettuce. Try not to imagine anything that could be considered offensive or inappropriate, especially if you jot down your observations. You never know if your observations could come out and you don't want to offend visitors to your trade show displays.

Write Down The Names Of Your Trade Show Stands' Visitors

Lots of people need to write down information in order to remember it and trade show booth employees are no exception. While you can certainly have a small notebook to write down names, sometimes picturing yourself writing down what they're called on their forehead can work. When you're meeting multiple visitors, putting the name literally on their face can do wonders for your memory.

Use It Immediately And Frequently In Conversation

Hearing and speaking something is another way to help remember information. When someone visits your booth and introduces him or herself, use his or her name in your greeting. Try to use it twice more in the conversation and once as you're saying your goodbyes. There is a fine line between using a name and overusing it so be sure you're acting naturally and that it doesn't seem forced in the conversation.

Jot Down Notes And Review Them Often

If you have visitors to your trade show booth, take a quick moment to jot down their names and companies. Before taking your trade show displays to a new event or making a sales call, take a minute or two to review your notes. These simple refreshers can help jog your memory to remember names and faces.

If all else fails, there is nothing wrong with a simple "I'm sorry, I know we've met, but your name has slipped my mind." Clients will appreciate the fact that you paid enough attention to them in the first place.

Chris Harmen is a writer for Skyline Miami, a company that helps customers with trade show displays in Miami. The company can design custom trade show stands in Miami for customers.