Taking your marketing products to Internet marketing tradeshows offers unique possibilities. Your team can use special features of the Internet of demonstrate your team's marketing expertise in ways not available at a "real" trade show. To locate local, regional and national events to attend, use an Internet marketing trade show directory. Several are available online.

Exhibiting at an Internet marketing trade show offers tantalizing opportunities. Your team will have the ability to do virtual demonstrations of your company's marketing prowess and to embed viewers in captivating "stories" created around your marketing materials. Another feature of online marketing trade shows is the powerful ability to collect contact information transparently. As you plan your company's journey into online marketing tradeshows, consider the following points:

1. Build a schedule for your company's online marketing trade show exhibit.

2. Not surprisingly, you can find Internet marketing trade show information online.

3. An online marketing trade show is a chance to gather data for your sales team.

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

Schedule an exhibit at an Internet marketing trade show

An online marketing trade show offers new opportunities to market your product. And marketing seems made for online presentation and exhibition. Train your staff on trade show expectations and apply those to your virtual exhibit. Establish a company online marketing trade show directory with guidelines for messaging, exhibit design and expected outcomes. Refine the directory as you debrief after each show.

I recommend: Find out the latest about online marketing trade shows from the Marketing Pilgrim. You can test virtual shows and register for upcoming events. Connect with Unisfair, a group that specializes in online trade shows. It can help your company build a schedule of Internet marketing trade shows.

Use Internet marketing trade show services for success

Create an amazing virtual booth to wow customers at Internet marketing trade shows. Add games, giveaways and prize drawings to excite them. People are willing to exchange contact information for the chance to win a prize, play a game or receive a free gift. That contact information is money in the bank for your marketing company. Get online marketing trade show advice from experienced online exhibitors.

I recommend: Offer a unique marketing trade show experience with expertise from Cyber Expo 3D. Have your company's event marketing staff check its interactive website for ideas. Start your company's online trade show planning with Go Exhibit. Its website contains a wealth of virtual trade show planning materials.

Capture leads by exhibiting at online marketing tradeshows

One of the benefits of participating in an online marketing trade show is the contact information gathered from potential clients as they sign on or access your 'exhibit.' Follow-up is essential - the reason your business participated in the show. Don't drop the ball here. And remember, the sooner the contact, the more likely the person will remember your exhibit.

I recommend: Register for online marketing trade shows at Virtual Trade Shows by Ziff Davis Enterprise. Check back frequently for an updated schedule of events. Check into purchasing attendee contact information. The Direct Marketing Association has a number of virtual events, such as the B-to-B Lead Generation Summit. Register to exhibit at several of its online marketing trade shows or attend sessions to learn more about the business.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be careful not to overdo your online marketing trade show booth. The Internet provides opportunities to shout, scream and bombard potential clients with multiple images. Don't. Focus your presentation on displaying your marketing expertise at it's best.
• •  It's an Internet marketing tradeshow, so make sure your exhibit focuses on marketing. In addition to all the tradition marketing methods, demonstrate your company's facility with email campaigns, website banners and other online marketing services.