Trade show attendees expect more from the trade show experience these days. It is not enough to display a few banners and promotional items; advances in technology, design and lightweight materials have turned trade show displays into a very powerful marketing tool.

Incorporating strong video elements into your trade show exhibit is a good way of connecting with your customers – an eye-catching video is more accessible than a marketing brochure and transmits your message more effectively.

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, trade show exhibitors can no longer afford to ignore the powerful benefits of video presentations.

What type of video should you use in your trade show display?

Trade show display videos offer a unique opportunity to show off products and services to potential customers. For maximum impact, use a variety of testimonials, interviews, product displays and adverts.

You can use video to promote newly launched services and also can field video product demos without the cost of employing a demonstrator for the show. Celebrate your product by getting someone else to say how wonderful you are! Contact your customers and ask them to give you a video testimonial to use in your display. They will probably thank you for the free publicity.

Shooting your video

Remember that your display is a gateway to your business. It is worthwhile preparing a good quality presentation, as a poorly prepared video can give customers the wrong impression of your business.

There are many video shooting options available.  Of course, there are many professionals you can hire to manage your videos for you, but this can work out expensive.  If you wanted to do it yourself many cell phones have good video facilities, in addition to flip cameras, monitors and camcorders.

Sharing your video

Using a smartphone to capture video gives a powerful immediacy to your display. Imagine the impact of recording customer testimonials at the trade show and immediately streaming it through your monitors, or being able to present a live product display.

Your video display does not need to be restricted to people at the trade show.  Make sure you share your videos with your customers via your Web site and with your social media networks on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. The viral effect of social media shares means you will reach far more people this way.

Many cell phones allow video uploads directly to Youtube. From there, you can embed the video link onto your Web site, Facebook page, Twitter account and blog. This makes your videos available to millions of social network users, and means you do not have to use your bandwidth to host the video directly.

If you master these 3 simple steps, you’ll have video, and attendees, in your booth and engaged with your business.  Once your trade show exhibit is compatible with video and technology, the possibilities for awareness and exposure are endless.