148: Grow Your Hardware Product Sales Via Trade Shows

With Jim Cermak, Founder of Trade Show University

Hosted by Kevin Mako of MAKO Design + Invent

Jim Cermak, the founder of Trade Show University, has a wealth of experience in the industry, having spent over 30 years helping hardware companies excel at trade shows. Through his organization, he offers education and consulting services to small businesses, including a new video series that addresses 7 crucial questions for achieving success at trade shows. Today, he will be sharing valuable insights on how inventors, startups, and small manufacturers can plan for launching or scaling their hardware products at a trade show, as well as strategies for maximizing success at managing their booth during the event.

Today you will hear us talk about:

• Trade shows offer a highly efficient and effective way to increase exposure for your product.
• Determine your goals for attending a trade show.
• Choose the appropriate trade show to launch or expand your product.
• Clearly define your product offering.
• Communicate effectively at the trade show.
• Make a bold and impactful presence.
• Understand the language and needs of hardware buyers.
• Implement pre-show marketing efforts to promote your product.
• Schedule appointments or stop-ins in advance.
• Utilize additional showcase opportunities offered by the trade show, such as complimentary placements.
• Obtain testimonials from attendees about your product.
• Prepare for the trade show floor by having qualifying questions ready and gathering commonly asked questions about your product.
• Don’t exhibit alone, even if you’re a solo inventor.
• Record a video of yourself after successful trade show interactions.

EPISODE LINKS

• Website: https://tradeshowu.biz/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimcermak/

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MakoInvent

Mako Design Links:

• Website: https://www.makodesign.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MakoInvent
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MakoInvent/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/MakoDesign/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MakoInvent/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/MakoInvent/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MakoInvent/

Kevin Mako Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.

About: MAKO Design + Invent is the original firm providing world-class consumer product development services tailored to startups, small manufacturers, and inventors. Simply put, we are the leading one-stop-shop for developing your physical product from idea to store shelves, all in a high-quality, cost-effective, and timely manner. We operate as one powerhouse 30-person product design team spread across 4 offices to serve you (Austin, Miami, San Francisco, & Toronto). We have full-stack in-house industrial design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, patent referral, prototyping, and manufacturing services. To assist our startup and inventor clients, in addition to above, we help with business strategy, product strategy, marketing, and sales/distribution for all consumer product categories. Also, our founder Kevin Mako hosts The Product Startup Podcast, the industry's leading hardware podcast. Check it out for tips, interviews, and best practices for hardware startups, inventors, and product developers. Click HERE to learn more about MAKO Design + Invent!