3 Ways To Make A Pop-Up Event Worth Your Time, Even With Zero Sales

In-person events are often a hit or miss. With travel, booth fees, several hours at the event, and other tiny expenses, the costs can add up very quickly. There are a few tips and tricks to get the biggest bang for your buck and maximize your time, even with zero sales.

Although very frustrating, it is best to keep a level head and think strategically when conducting in-person events. Planning ahead and being well prepared will put you in the best position. When sales are low, focus on lead capture, brand awareness, and consumer feedback. You will want to take advantage of the golden opportunity of face-to-face engagement.

The ability to contact potential customers is critical to businesses in any industry. Although people are not yet ready to buy, this does not discount that they find value in your product. Properly capturing a lead is the key to staying in touch with potential customers and not missing sales.

A great example of a fun and exciting way to capture leads at pop-up type events is a giveaway or freebie. The task is easy and pressure-free. I simply approach nearby patrons, letting them know that we have an exciting giveaway at our booth. Interested individuals are shown the freebie and reminded that simply signing up for our newsletter registers them for the freebie. This works 99% of the time.

It is important to use a SaaS product like MailChimp or Constant Contact to collect leads. I typically have an electronic device in hand with the landing page ready. The patron enters their information, I am shown the confirmation screen, and then the patron receives the freebie! It is as simple as that.

Brand recognition is often undervalued. Getting the name of your business in front of people has so many advantages, and pop-ups are a great opportunity. Even though people are not making purchases, there are still several ways you can connect with the patrons and help them keep your brand top of mind.

A common tactic is giving away swag. People love free, branded items. These swag items help you and the brand increase recognition and build loyalty with potential customers. One common swag item is a coozie, or a more practical one is a phone charger. My go-to swag item is a branded everyday item like lip gloss or key chains, but we can’t forget stickers! People love stickers.

Face-to-face events are amazing for real-time feedback. I love to ask customers product preferences. As well as other great questions regarding the product selection, their must-haves and their not-so-favorites. This valuable feedback helps me understand the wants and needs of the customer. This helps me save time and money on what items I bring to my next pop-up event.

It is important not to take feedback personally, but as free market research. Learning about price sensitivity, product preferences, and quality concerns directly from customers is priceless, valuable first-hand feedback.

I find it very interesting to offer a deal when a customer is on the fence. A pop-up is the perfect time for getting a better understanding of why people are not buying. Is it price vs quantity or quality vs price?

A long day at a pop-up event with zero sales does not feel good. But don’t be discouraged, there are a few things that can make your pop-up event a win. Despite low or even if you leave with zero sales. Capturing leads, generating brand awareness, and getting valuable consumer feedback are three simple ways to maximize your time and effort. In-person events have value, even if you don’t make sales.