As an individual Amazon seller, you should consider attending Amazon trade shows. These events can help you better understand the ins and outs of the Amazon marketplace and make beneficial connections with other sellers, vendors, and even your Amazon competitors.
But with so many Amazon trade shows across the country, how do you decide which ones to attend? No one has the time or resources to hit them all—so how do you choose the shows to attend? The trick is in identifying the ones that are right for your business.
Here, we take a closer look at Amazon trade shows and offer five practical tips for choosing the show that is just right for your Amazon business. We then offer some tips for how to make the most of your time at an Amazon trade show.
Why Attend an Amazon Trade Show?
In the digital world where all your data and metrics are available with the touch of a button from your Amazon seller app, many people may not think it’s necessary or even useful to attend an Amazon trade show. However, trade shows still play an important role. Here are just a few reasons why it’s still beneficial to attend these Amazon trade shows:
· Meet potential suppliers face-to-face.
· Quickly build trust and a real relationship.
· Easy access to product samples.
· Learn about new products to grow your store.
· Identify industry trends.
5 Tips for Choosing the Right Amazon Trade Show to Attend
Define Your Objectives
Before you even begin researching different Amazon trade shows, you should first identify your objectives. What are you looking to get out of this experience? Increase in sales? Develop a professional network? Promote your brand? Whatever your objective might be, clearly defining it is an important early step before selecting the right Amazon trade show.
Research
Research, research, research. This is a critical step for any Amazon seller before you decide on a trade show. Dig into different websites to learn about what each trade show offers, the industries they cater to, and their history. Spending time early on research can save you a lot of time and money in the big picture.
Know Your Target Audience
An important part of your research should focus on your targeted audience. What types of people and businesses attend these trade shows? What are the areas of specialization and what are their needs? Much like researching and understanding your customers for your Amazon store, you’ll want to analyze the audience of these trade shows.
Look at Your Schedule
Once you’ve identified the most beneficial trade shows for your Amazon business, refer back to your schedule to make sure there isn’t a conflict. There’s nothing worse than finding the right trade show only to discover later that you already have an engagement scheduled.
Establish a Budget
Most people are selling on Amazon to make money, which means that it doesn’t make a lot of sense to blow all your profits on trade shows. While attending trade shows is beneficial, they can also get pretty expensive. In addition to registration, you’ll need to factor in travel costs, including lodging, transportation, and a food budget.
Tips for Attending an Amazon Trade Show
Once you’ve found the perfect Amazon trade show, it’s time to start preparing for the experience. While these events can certainly be a fun place to meet new people, you want to go in with a plan to optimize your time. Here are a few handy tips for attending an Amazon trade show:
· Pre-register online (saving you time at check-in).
· Research the exhibitors and the show map to formulate a plan.
· Bring business cards.
· Keep your smartphone fully charged to store potential contact information and take pictures of any exciting vendors or products.
· Dress professionally, but also be prepared to be on your feet for most of the day.
Conclusion – Choosing the Right Amazon Trade Shows to Attend
There you go: five simple steps to help you choose the right Amazon trade show for your online business. Exhibiting in a trade show isn’t always easy or straightforward; however, by following these steps you’ll be off to a great start.
By clearly defining your objectives, doing enough research, and establishing a schedule and budget, you’ll be prepared to make the best use of this valuable opportunity. When done successfully, trade shows are a good way to learn more about your customers, gain valuable insights and grow your business.
