Make Money at Home

It happened again. I ran into an old friend while registering for the World Masters Games last month and as we were catching up, she complemented me on a necklace I was wearing. When I told her I bought it in South Africa on my last trip there, she exclaimed, “You have to start importing these. You’d make a fortune!”

The Great Import Plan

This is a refrain I’ve heard over and over again and while there is some truth in it, you can make money being an importer, there is a certain amount of naivet

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“Welcome to Mom-preneur Colorado!” Says the sign out front. Moms from everywhere gather in the great state of Colorado for - you guessed it - a seminar for moms who run their own businesses. From selling candles to selling Avon, coaching high end professionals in their careers to leveling the playing field for marketers everywhere - these moms rock.

A press release starting with the preceding paragraph speaks volumes to Mom-preneurs everywhere, drawing them in, getting their attention, and building anticipation for a coming event. The missing details won’t be obvious until mom’s exit security at Denver International Airport. Just any random driver sitting on the front of his limo won’t know where Mom-preneur Colorado is being held if you don’t have the details in your packet.

Any press release should include motivating factors to bring in the clients for a quick look-see and registration for whatever your business is releasing. But leaving out essential information might be deadly to the purpose of your press release.

Essential information includes:

1. Who
2. What
3. Where
4. When
5. Why

The five “W’s” every reporter learns right out of the starting gate to include in the top paragraphs of his news report dramatically affect attendance to your event. Without them, readers can’t make an educated decision of whether or not to attend the event. With them, you might actually entice readers to attend.

While most of the moms I know would love to attend a seminar at The Broadmore in Colorado Springs, cost may be a factor. So, if the seminar indicates a place like The Broadmore - including the price would be highly beneficial - particularly if your price is highly discounted for the event.

Press releases must include all pertinent information about the event you publicize. Without that information, your press release is “just another article about your business”.

Jan Verhoeff leads function with formality with White Paper Report an informative production oriented publication presenting highly targeted detailed information for Entrepreneurs. Build your business with the knowledge of professionals. For your free subscription visit http://janverhoeff.com

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Here are several suggestions to help keep trade show display expenditures in line:

1. Consider renting a trade show booth rather than buying one.
Renting a trade show exhibit applies only if you are planning a one time or occasional trade show appearance or if you have a simultaneous trade show in another part of the country that conflicts with your exhibit schedule. It does not make economic sense to rent a trade show display if you plan to exhibit more than three times in a given year. Be sure to rent a booth that will fit into the size of the exhibit space. Renting will save you not only on trade show booth construction costs but also the expense of warehousing your display after the trade show is over.

2. Upgrade your existing trade show booth. If you choose not to rent, you can upgrade your older booth by changing its graphics, relaminating color panels, and redesigning structural elements. This is a much more cost-effective way than starting from scratch.

3. Invest in a pre-owned trade show display. If you do not already have an existing trade show exhibit booth to upgrade, you can find pre-owned trade show exhibits that are greatly reduced from their original cost. Many trade show exhibit houses offer top quality pre-owned exhibits that are well maintained and easily adaptable to new signage, often affording reductions in exhibit design time and construction costs by more than half. You also have options on size, design, scope and price similar to trade show booth rentals with a variety of style and dimension options. Perhaps with little more than a customized graphics upgrade your trade show exhibit can be “out the door and on the floor” in a matter of weeks.

4. Consider a lightweight trade show exhibit. A lightweight exhibit will reduce operating costs such as freight, drayage, and storage. Select a trade show display that packs easily and is uncomplicated to install and dismantle. A custom modular or custom portable trade show exhibit can have the look of a custom exhibit, while reducing operating costs by 50 to 90 percent.

5. Pack extra supplies. When your installation and dismantle company installs your exhibit at your trade show, you’ll find that emergency repairs and materials replacements often are costly. So keep a backup supply box filled with items that may need to be replenished at the trade show. Include power cords, tools, light bulbs, Velcro, scissors and duct tape.

6. Plan well in advance. This will help you avoid unnecessary rush charges from not scheduling adequate lead time for the trade show display’s graphic design and production requirements.

7. Set up the trade show display during pre-show week days. Avoid costly weekend and overtime labor costs on the trade show floor. Early trade show booth assembly also helps you to avoid last minute glitches that run up the tab.

8. Understand trade show services. You will frequently require supplemental assistance from trade show services at the trade show exhibit hall. These are representatives and union laborers who provide such support services as installation and dismantling, carpeting, furniture, lighting, phones, drayage and security. If you are aware of the nuances of these charges for trade show services and plan in advance you can save money while avoiding numerous pitfalls.

Experience is the best teacher in keeping trade show exhibit costs under control. If your display team has limited know-how, tap into the wealth of knowledge available from the staff of a reputable trade show exhibit house. Also do your research on trade show exhibit company websites for industry insider tips.

Dick Wheeler is President of Professional Exhibits & Graphics headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. His firm is a full-service premiere trade show exhibit, graphics and management services company. Go to http://www.proexhibits.com
for more information on excellent full service trade show display, graphics and management services.

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