Proper childcare trade show marketing is what gets your business noticed during the show. The childcare tradeshow marketing utilized before the show affects how much business your booth gets during the show. If you've never done a trade show, there are businesses available to help you manage your childcare tradeshow promotions.

If you're efficient with all your childcare tradeshows' advertising, then your childcare trade show sales should steadily climb. And the point of any trade show is to increase visibility within your industry and profit from industry buyers. Before investing in high-priced child care trade show promotions, utilize effective marketing strategies that don't cost much.

1. Find online business directories that let you post business cards and information for free or a small fee.

2. Give flyers to daycares that emphasize the childcare tradeshow giveaways you'll have at the show.

3. Designate a page on your website for tradeshow information and include all future tradeshows you'll attend.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Increase childcare trade show traffic with online marketing

Online marketing techniques include email marketing campaigns, listing in online directories and posting virtual business cards. Make sure any email marketing is done off an approved list of people who want your emails, so you don't get in trouble for email spam.

I recommend: Get a free trial of an email marketing program from Constant Contact that helps you customize your childcare tradeshow marketing. Make your childcare tradeshow follow-up easier by using an online appointment tool from Appointment Quest Online Scheduling Software. This helps you follow-up with no-shows because you have contact information.

Use mailing labels as part of your childcare trade show promotions

When sending out flyers to daycares and industry professionals, include mailing labels that advertise the tradeshow. These labels should have your business name and the date and name of the tradeshow. Including these on the seal of your envelope lets your target audience know that it's not just another piece of junk mail, but an announcement for an industry leading tradeshow.

I recommend: Design and order custom printed labels for childcare tradeshow marketing through BlumbergExcelsior. Get booklet labels and promotional labels that can hold lots of information from Labels West.

Order childcare trade show giveaways for all attendees

While it's important to offer large giveaways to attract a larger audience, small giveaways let all industry insiders walk away with something from your business. Pencils, magnets, notepads and small calendars are great goodie-bag type giveaways you can offer everyone who stops by your booth.

I recommend: Pick promotional items that you can imprint, such as kickballs for the playground or small boxes of crayons for the classroom, from Extra Mile Promotional Products. Get childcare safety cards imprinted with your company logo from Child Care Online.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  One of the easiest places for childcare tradeshow marketing is in the show's vendor packet. Not all shows offer free advertising in the show guide, so make sure you buy a spot, if necessary.