Trade show attack dogs

We’ve all been there: you’re cruising down the aisles at a trade show. You know that there is something new and cool somewhere, you just have to find it. You also feel like a piece of fresh meat as you try to stay in the center of the aisle and avoid eye contact with the drooling attack dogs at each booth ready to pounce. You hope that you’ll be able to get some idea of what they do before they’re on you, so that you’ll know which defensive tactic to use (”I am not from this galaxy” works sometimes).

Many of us have also been on the other side way too many times, lined up with a multitude of other folks, all having invested a large amount of time and efort to try to be the one big thing that the attendee cares about at that show. The opportunities are limited. The prospects are moving down the gauntlet and you need to make some kind of contact. You’ve got all the latest catchy visuals and pumped-up videos going (and, if you’re lucky, attractive booth mates), but you still need something to lure them closer.

Ah yes, the giveaway! A worm on a hook doesn’t work in most of these situations, but we’re always intrigued (on both sides of the attack/opportunity) by new approaches to the problem.

Most recently, at SolidWorks World 2008, I was on the “attack” side of the equation and tried a new worm that worked surprisingly well - custom postage stamps. Huh?

Yes, custom postage stamps. US Post Office-approved sites like Stamps.com and Zazzle.com let you upload your own artwork and they apply the requisite bar code, print them up and send them off to you. Of course, they’re more expensive than the “regular” stamps, but they really do work on real mail. I know that there are at least two people that still use stamps and the post office, since I’m one of them and I did a non-scientific survey at home too.

When I approached folks at SolidWorks World with the stamps, they were at first rather surprised, then intrigued and then (almost always) they smiled! They didn’t always come over to the SupplierSource kiosk and get the full-boat show, but they did get a quick idea of what we’re about and something useful that they could take back with them. Whenever they see the stamps, they’ll be reminded of SupplierSource and how very useful we are too.

NOW COMES THE EXCITING PART: I still have a few pairs of these highly collectible stamps available on a limited-time, first-come-first-served basis just for you! But (there’s always a “but”), you need to earn them, since you didn’t have to pay to go all the way to the show in San Diego. To get your pair of stamps, just sign up your company with SupplierSource and make a comment here at the blog or let me know by email (dswavely@REMOVEALLTHISSTUFFsolidworks.com).

If you want to go for the whole enchilada, do a review for one of your favorite partners and I’ll give you TWO pairs of stamps! Yes, count them - TWO pairs, all for you. You won’t have to email me, since you do have to register to be able to provide a review.

Now, I know that you can barely contain your excitement, so please go to SupplierSource, earn your very own stamps and maybe even use some custom stamps yourselves to deliver a smile rather than a bite.