7 Easy Conversation Starters for Your Next Exhibition

Trade shows are the perfect place to talk up your business to potential customers. But we know that starting a conversation with trade show attendees isn’t the easiest thing to do. It can be overbearing, but we have your back. We’re going to help you ease in your potential customer in a conversation by using these convo starters.

With these cool conversation starters, you’ll be a smooth talker in no time:

1. Have an interesting display

An eye-catching and interesting display is the number one conversation starter at trade shows. It makes people curious to learn more about your business. Put out samples or prototypes of your new products. Have an infographic or video presentation about your services. These tools can help you start a conversation with the exhibition attendees.

Here are some ways you can strike up a conversation:

• What do you think about this video game demo?
• Does this video presentation make you excited about our new state-of-the-art action camera?

2. Ask open-ended questions about the attendees

People love to talk about themselves, just go on and ask them. Make sure your questions are open-ended in order to engage people in a conversation about themselves. This can also lead to a more personal conversation about their background. 

Remember: most attendees are there for different reasons, so try modifying your open-ended question for each person.

Some good examples of open-ended questions are:

• “What brought you to this trade show?”
• “How helpful has been this trade show so far for solving your problem?”

3. Ask for their pain points that your business can solve

Instead of being direct about selling your product or service, you can try easing them in with a question that puts their problem first, while highlighting your solution. This strategy will grab their attention and make them feel at ease when talking to you. If they do experience the problem that you talked about, you can start presenting your product as a solution.

Example:

• Are you tired of having trouble getting your drawers organized?
• Are you having trouble growing your potted plants?

4. Ask questions that reveal what you do

This is a standard, but simple sales chat question. Whether or not the trade show attendee knows anything about your business or the products and services you offer, this kind of question helps you talk more about your product or service.

Example:

• What do you know about our business/product/service?
• Have you ever heard of the organic henna hair dying method our company has launched?
• Are you looking for a shampoo that’s made of all-natural ingredients?
• Do you know about our new line of locally-sourced vegan snacks?

5. Offer a demonstration of your product or service

Product or service demonstrations are a great way to start sales pitches. It is a good opportunity for you to talk about the product and its benefits and for your potential customer to ask questions about your product or service. It is also a chance for them to interact with your product and see how it fits their needs and wants.

If you’re done with the demo but they’re still undecided, offer them a business card, brochure, or catalogue as a future reference.

Example:

• Would you like to see this product in action?
• Let me show you something that would blow your mind.

6. Offer a sample of your product

We all love a free sample, so offering it is a classic technique used to chat up somebody. Almost all companies who can give sample products, do so, as it’s an effective way to start a conversation.

When offering a sample, you can tell the trade exhibition attendees what makes it different from other products, what are the special ingredients, and what benefits they can get from it. A sample makes them inclined to know more about your product and potentially buy it. 

You can also offer them a goody canvas bag with your product and a flyer, advertising your business and explaining the benefit of your product. People would normally stop to talk to you if you have something free to offer them.

Example:

• Would you like to try our lotion bar made of all-natural, organic ingredients?
• Try our organic vegan cheese made from cashews!

7. Draw them in with a game or a challenge

Involve trade show attendees in a game or a challenge. Give them branded notebooks or pens or products as prizes no matter if they win or not. Try to make your games and challenges related to your business.

Example:

• Did you get your free homemade chocolate bar?
• Can you guess how many gumballs are in the jar?

With these conversation starters, it’ll be easier for you to ease in your sales pitch to potential customers. However, keep in mind that your actions are just as important as your words. 

Remember these three important things:

• Prepare your questions and greetings ahead of time. As people say, it’s better to be prepared. Create a list of possible open-ended questions or one-liners that you can use.
• Be mindful of your body language. Remember to smile and make eye-contact with the people you are speaking to. Remember to nod along to show your interest in what they have to say. 
• Practice your lines. It may feel a little weird, but by practising your questions and statements, you’ll become more confident in your exhibition chat. The more confident you become, the more natural you will be able to speak and act.

Do you feel ready for a nice chat with your customers? Go out and talk up your business to all the trade fair attendees.