Trischia and I have found that the best way to get invited to speak or to start conversations to the curious is by having a booth at whatever event you can get into. A Farmer’s Market, an Artists Bazaar, a Christmas Market, you name it, it should work.
We had a booth recently at Daniel Jenkins Academy for Community Day. This was from invite from a previous class we presented here, which they found us at an artists bazaar at a local distillery. The teacher that invited us to DJA attended the bazaar and had an interest in our booth because the word Education was in the banner headline. Now, based on our attendance at Community Day, we were seen by the local school district’s community outreach director, and have been invited to have a booth at a perfect attendance celebration at the end of the school year.
Some booths are free, some are paid (maybe $50 at most generally). The banner you have is very important – it is what will drive traffic. Make sure you have your keywords very prominent, and that the banner is a quick read for passing eyeballs. It drives me crazy when I see banners that say nothing about what the company does or provides – the audience is not mind-readers and the lack of keywords or what your product is will not entice someone to stop an inquire on what you do. They will keep on walking, and you won’t talk to anyone, no matter how amazing your product is. We get our banners from Canvas Champ – they have an online design tool, are inexpensive, and a very fast turn-around time.
For your table, give handouts – people want tangible items – and something that reviews your offering and has an action item on it (Sign Up Here) is a must. Offer a QR code for those that want digital, but a paper flyer is the best.
Having swag is ok, but that also attracts just those who want swag – don’t spend a lot of money or effort on this.
And then be inviting to your table, smile, talk to people. Don’t be overbearing, and be present with the person you are speaking.
If you find someone that is part of a group you want to speak or present to, don’t be afraid to ask for the opportunity. A lot of groups are tasked with bringing speakers in regularly for their member meetings. Your talk makes it that much easier for a group coordinator to do their job.
Do these things and you’ll have a successful outreach event on your hands in no time.
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