Distance learning centers can seize the opportunity to increase enrollment by creating a buzz early on with extensive distance learning trade show marketing. Unlike email, print advertising and Internet marketing, a distance learning trade show exhibit allows prospective students to interact with curriculum programs and see firsthand the benefits of distance learning.

Participating in a distance learning trade show can be a real asset to your online or correspondence college course credit or degree program. To obtain successful results at distance learning trade shows, it’s important to create a distance learning trade show marketing plan that targets the intended audience and engages trade show attendees. Consider the following tips to help you take full advantage of the benefits of distance learning trade show promotions.

1. Outline your distance learning tradeshow marketing plan.

2. Start your distance learning tradeshow promotions well in advance.

3. Don’t forget distance learning tradeshow follow-up.

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

Create a concise distance learning trade show marketing plan

Participating in a distance learning trade show can be an inexpensive way for learning centers to increase awareness of their curriculum offerings and increase enrollment. However, it's quite easy to overspend on distance learning tradeshow marketing, giveaways and display items. Be sure to identify your target audience, create a trade show theme or message and stick to it to avoid going over budget.

I recommend: You may consider partnering with OnPoint Marketing, a marketing firm that specializes in online and offline trade show marketing strategies. North Star Marketing is another firm that specializes in designing targeted Internet marketing and interactive media promotional plans.

Increase interest with distance learning tradeshow promotions

Once you decide to participate in a distance learning trade show, it's important that you spread the word by inviting current students, associates, colleagues and vendors. You can also promote your participation on your company website. At the event, you can use distance learning trade show giveaways and interactive demonstrations to further increase distance learning trade show traffic.

I recommend: Craig Interactive specializes in designing and building interactive learning environments for distance learning trade show exhibits. You can also check out unique distance learning trade show exhibits designed by Creative MediaWorks.

Generate distance learning trade show sales

The excitement and pre-planning involved in trade show participation can be intense. However, the real work starts once the trade show ends. Distance learning tradeshow follow-up is a crucial step in turning trade show leads into distance learning trade show sales. Be sure to promptly make phone calls and send out emails and other distance learning trade show marketing materials.

I recommend: Lead Generation Solutions can help with your follow up by calling leads. You may also consider email marketing services offered by DataDog Marketing, which allows you to further your distance learning trade show promotions by sending emails to all trade show attendees who expressed an interest in your program.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Trade show attendees love free stuff. Be sure to strategically place your logo on distance learning tradeshow giveaways such as pens, t-shirts, book bags, folders, etc. This allows you to get your company name into the hands of the trade show attendees.