Build Buzz at KBIS: Mix Social Media with In-Person Networking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 29, 2010 --

Create buzz, familiarize and engage prospects and customers face-to-face by utilizing a TweetUp. A TweetUp connects Twitter users with similar interests in one physical location with an event or social gathering that can focus on your company’s products or services. Many trade shows across several industries, like the Kitchen and Bath Show (KBIS) in Chicago, offer a great opportunity to meet prospects, customers and even members of the media. Put a human face on the increasing number of digital personas your business interacts with regularly. Use this effective social media strategy to combine new age marketing techniques with traditional in-person networking.

Many businesses harness TweetUps to meet customers, prospects and drive sales. For example, if your business launches a new product at the Kitchen & Bath Show, turn to Twitter. Alert your followers, the Twitter-verse and show attendees about your event. (Be sure to use the official Kitchen and Bath Show hashtag, #KBIS2010.) At the TweetUp, offer free samples of your products or demonstrations to familiarize prospects with your business and innovative offerings. The benefits are threefold. You gather immediate feedback, attendees share their experiences of the event with their online peers and attract editors who attend shows like KBIS.

TweetUps create valuable buzz. An added benefit to these Twitter based gatherings is the amount of messages your attendees will spread before, during and after the occasion. Twitter users will tweet their experiences, photos and possibly forthcoming blog posts about the event. To make the most of the attendee-generated buzz, provide a steady stream of content during the event. This content can also foster authentic testimonials spreading in real-time to the multitude of each attendee’s Twitter followers.

Keep TweetUps conversational and brief. Take time to build your relationships with your Twitter followers. Encourage attendees to tweet photos, quotes and interesting information. Establish a reputation as an interesting contributor and you’ll cultivate a following among prospects, influencers and customers.

Use a gathering, like KBIS, to position your business as a valuable member of the growing online communities which are relevant to your industry. Leverage the event to qualify prospective customers. TweetUps can also present a unique opportunity to forge deeper relationships with past and current customers.

Businesses turn to TweetUps to help fuel demand for their products or services. If you have a new display in your showroom, a speaker at your KBIS booth, or a newly launched service, unveil it with a TweetUp. Take, for example, a sandwich shop in Connecticut. On days with light in-store traffic, the managers turn to

KBIS 2010     kitchen and bath show 2010     Social media     trade shows     tweetups     twitter