Not to sound like free advertising for the GAMA Trade Show, but man was that a great show. I have heard from more than one person that GTS this year had a higher pro vibe than in past years. With such crowded shows as in yesteryear, the manufacturers, developers, and distributors didn’t have much time to spend with store buyers. This year, there was a lot of talk between the exhibitors and attendees and business got done. This worked out very well for a graphic designer like myself, trying to make inroads into the industry.
So far, so GAMA…
Two important lessons about having business cards at trade shows/conventions. The first one is obvious: always have them on hand. Always have some, even when attending a social activity when that activity precludes handing them out, such as skydiving. If you leave them behind, you will encounter someone that could be a good contact just as you achieve terminal velocity.
Prepwork for GTS: The Cold Approach
“I’m really not comfortable with the cold approach,” I said to her as we walked from tent to tent at the Tucson Festival of Books. The last half hour had been a series of approaching prospective clients, chatting for a few minutes, and trading business cards. It’s a bit awkward to head up to a complete stranger and ask them for a job. She responded, “But if you don’t do it, you won’t get your name out there.”
I looked over at a booth I passed up. Their book jacket design, their advertisements were on display. “I can help these guys,” I thought.
“Go.”