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15 Romantic Gestures to Show Love to Your Boyfriend

15 Romantic Gestures to Show Love to Your Boyfriend


If you’ve been with your boyfriend for any length of time, then you know it’s hard to buy for a guy. Are you running out of ideas for the perfect gift for your partner? Men are traditionally the ones who give to the woman, and it’s hard to reverse the roles.

Many believe that men aren’t hopeless romantics, but nothing could be further from the truth. They just aren’t as good at showing their feelings. Men can be quite sensitive and even romantic, but they aren’t going to let you see that side very often. Even macho guys love being showered and adorned with gifts.

Fifteen Romantic Gestures and Gift Ideas

Since it’s not easy to come up with gift ideas for your guy, here are some that are perfect for the man in your life.

1. Read Your Boyfriend a Book

Do you remember the excitement you felt in school when one of your teachers read you a book? You can invoke those same beautiful feelings by reading to your boyfriend. You can choose a romantic novel or one that is about a topic he likes.

Take a half-hour or so before bed and snuggle under the covers and read to him. It will be an extraordinary moment he will never forget.

2. Sing to Him

If you have a good voice, then you may want to serenade him. What partner won’t feel weak at the knees at the sound of your angelic voice? Does he have a favorite song? Practice this tune and maybe add some piano or guitar accompaniments.

3. Pack His Lunch Complete with a Love Letter

Everyone is concerned about their budget and their waistline. Why not pack your boyfriend a lunch of some of his favorite things? He will appreciate the gesture, and when you add a handwritten letter inside, he won’t be able to stop smiling the rest of the day.

4. Have a Candlelight Dinner with All His Favorite Foods

Every guy has their favorite foods that instantly takes them to their comfort zone. By now, you should know a few of these entrees. Why not show him what a hopeless romantic you are with a candlelight dinner? When it comes to dessert, you can get a little bit creative.

5. Put a Love Note on His Windshield

Everyone hates getting flyers on their windshield. It’s annoying to stop and remove them before driving away. Putting a love note on his windshield is something that will make him stop and smile.

It’s unique because you took time out of your day to make sure your boyfriend knew how much you loved him. It just might be what he needs to make it through work.

6. Take Him on a Picnic

Is there anything more romantic than a picnic in the park with delicious food? Bring a beautiful big blanket and spread out under a tree. Why not bring along the book you’re reading him and go through a few chapters? It will be a special time of being close and relaxing with food and a good novel.

7. Have a Lunch Delivery at Work

Why not surprise the one you love with a special delivery at work? Chinese anyone? Won’t he be shocked when a paid order comes to him, courtesy of you? It’s the little things that you do in life to show someone how much they mean that counts.

8. Buy Him Something He’s Been Wanting

Is there something that your boyfriend has wanted for a long time? Maybe a new cell phone, watch, or another collectible? It doesn’t have to be a special occasion for you to buy him a gift.

Why not surprise him with something special for no other reason than “just because?” The unexpected gift that comes out of nowhere is the best and most memorable one.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money or break the bank for these surprise gifts. Remember, it’s supposed to show him how much you feel about him.

9. Write Him a Poem or Love Song

Do you have an artistic side or a musical ability? Nothing would be more special than a poem or song that’s written specifically about your love story. If you can encapsulate the romance and passion as well as putting the magic into words, it will be something that you will both treasure for the rest of your lives.

If you don’t tend to be artistic, then you can have someone write the song for you. It doesn’t matter who writes it as long as the story is yours.

hopeless romantic
Science explains why it is okay to be a hopeless romantic.

10. Put Together a Scrap Book or Memory Album

There’s probably been plenty of selfies and other pictures that you’ve taken throughout your relationship. Why not print those photos out and make a memory book about the story of your love?

Customized gifts like this are so unique and will give him a special token of your love. He can pull out this book and flip through it during dark times, and it will bring him much joy.

Additionally, if you’re not into scrapbooking, then you can do a digital book too. Many sites are geared at creating such a book about your love, and they are very affordable and easy to do.

11. Let Him Have Control of the TV and Remote

It sounds like a small gesture that doesn’t mean anything, but when you’re always fighting over the TV, it’s a nice break to surrender. Let him watch his favorite programming and enjoy some time without the intrusion of your program choices. Who said you had to spend a lot of money to give him a romantic and sweet gesture?

12. Give Him Extra Cuddle Time

Don’t think for one minute that guys don’t like to cuddle too, but there just never seems to be enough time. Make sure that you allow at least a half of an hour each day to cuddle. During this time, talk about your dream and plans and reassure each other of your love.

After a stressful day at work and dealing with kids, you both need this downtime. Lying together and hearing each other’s heartbeat is a way to connect on a spiritual level.

Sometimes, it’s best not to say a word but just allow your bodies to touch and be united. Just the feeling of closeness is sometimes all you need to keep going.

13. Write Him a List of All the Things You Love About Him

Your boyfriend needs reassurance just like you do about your relationship. Why not write a list of all the things you love about him? If he’s having a bad day, or you two are on the brink of breaking up, then this list may be the thing that keeps him going.

When you create a point of reference that puts feelings into written form, it gives him the strength and courage to fight another day.

14. Give Him a Bubble Bath

Okay, so a bubble bath seems like a girl thing to do. However, there are plenty of guys that love a nice bubble bath too. Light some candles, get his favorite champagne and let him soak the cares of life away.

If your guy is a hopeless romantic, then he will undoubtedly enjoy some mood music too. It can be very sensual to wash his hair and back for him and just be there enjoying the ambiance. Plus, soaking in hot water is an excellent way to relieve tired and aching muscles.

You could do a shower for two if you don’t have a tub, complete with a gentle massage. It’s okay to fuss over your guy a little bit as he will enjoy it.

15. Put a Scarf with Your Perfume in His Car

If you hardly get any time with your boyfriend because of work or distance, then you should try something that keeps you close. Do you have a perfume that you wear that he finds fantastic? Why not spray a scarf or other memento with that scent and stick it in his car?

He can have your aroma with him wherever he goes, and it might be something beautiful if distance separates you. If you don’t have any clothing you want to give up, you can write him a love letter and spray it with your cologne, and you should seal it with a lipstick kiss. He might like that even better.

Final Thoughts on Using These Tender and Sweet Ways to Show Love to Your Boyfriend

Life is chaotic and hectic, and you must remind yourself that you need to take time to stop and smell the roses. You must find the little opportunities that you have to do something special.

There should be some sort of tenderness between you and your partner every day. Don’t let the cares of life get him or you down. Do little things to build him up and show him how much he is loved.

Lifestyle

Therapists Explain Why You Must Show Vulnerability to Find True Love

Therapists Explain Why You Must Show Vulnerability to Find True


It seems like vulnerability is a big topic these days in people looking for their soul mate.

What does being vulnerable mean anyway? It merely involves putting yourself in a position that you could either be hurt physically or emotionally.

It sounds easy to let down your defenses when it comes to the one you love, but it’s not as easy as it may appear. You have a natural defense mechanism that is there to protect you from being hurt, and when you let down your guard, it means exposing the most intimate parts of yourself.

Many people push away love because they don’t like to share some of the most intimate parts of their hearts, and it’s quite scary to expose yourself. When something goes wrong, the first thing you want to do is withdraw from the situation to avoid getting hurt. However, what if you stay and work through it?

Is it possible to control your natural-born instinct to defend yourself? So many people are missing out on love because they prefer to isolate and withhold the secret, innermost parts of their hearts. To accept and express affection requires vulnerability, and if you don’t master this art, then you may never find your true love.

Engage in The Act of Generosity

Generosity and vulnerability go hand-in-hand, according to the London Journal of Primary Care. Moreover, it improves your general feeling of wellness.

When you’re generous, you are showing an outward expression of the compassion and sensitivity you have deep inside. Being generous to a partner will show that you are willing to give your time and energy to help them.

Let’s assume your partner is sick and needs assistance. When they’re ill and can’t get out of bed, that’s when they need you the most. So, you clean their apartment and bring them chicken soup and tea. You’re allowing yourself to see them at their worst, and they are accepting your gift and showing their vulnerability too.

Remember, being vulnerable is a two-way street. You’re not on your “A” game when you are down and out and sick. When you do a generous act like taking care of an ill person, it gives you both a sense of gratification. Another benefit is it helps to counteract the human desire to withhold from others.

Authentic generosity

You open yourself up for emotional exchanges that you might not have the opportunity for when you isolate. Make a strong effort to give in a situation where you normally would stand back. Don’t expect any reciprocal treatment for the act, but you should do something kind to help another person.

If you make a nice gesture in the hopes of getting something in return, then you miss out on the true spirit of generosity. Plus, you won’t learn how to be vulnerable. There are many ways that you can be generous. The easiest way to do so is by buying gifts or giving money.

However, these acts are a little less emotional and don’t have the same psychological impact as something that comes from the heart. To be labeled a generous person, you must be willing to drop everything in your schedule to lend a helping hand. You will notice that you will look for opportunities to respond to people in need, even if it’s just offering a shoulder to cry on.

Commitment to your relationship

When you’re in a committed relationship, there should always be acts of generosity that go back and forth. You must learn to receive as much as you give, which can also be difficult for some. It’s the same reason why some women don’t like to have the doors opened and closed for them.

Allowing someone to do something for you takes away your power to do it for yourself. Sure, any woman can open her car door, but it’s something special when her partner does it for her. It shows that he or she will take care of her and go the extra mile to protect her.

Generosity is physical and emotional

Keep in mind that generosity isn’t just a physical display, either. Your words and actions can also be giving. Compliment your love on how they look and help them to destroy any negative self-image they may have. While this gift doesn’t cost a dime, its value is priceless.

Lastly, when you give to someone else, you feel liberated, energized, and less defensive. It will teach you how to be fulfilled in relationships. Many say that it’s essential to your emotional wellbeing, but it’s also a moral way to live your life.

Be Clear About Your Wants and Needs

Another way that you can show your vulnerability is by communicating your wants and needs. Your self-protective defense wants you to keep your desires hidden, and in many instances, people turn to others to find gratification for those desires. When you hide your agenda, you risk falling into narcissism, according to researchers.

Additionally, during your isolated times, you develop an attitude that you don’t need anyone else, and you can take care of yourself. It’s weird to ask someone for a need as it puts you in an inferior state where you may feel shame, and when you feel guilt, it’s often a painful emotion that you relate to childhood events.

Many children go through life longing to be understood, seen by others, loved, and touched by affection. Sadly, many didn’t get their needs met, so they develop a shame when they ask for friendship and humiliation because they will never seem like anything more than an unlovable child.

Even in their adult life, they feel the pangs of humiliation asking their partner for the things they need. It may be as simple as needing to hear at least once each day the words “I love you.” Yet, many can’t even bring themselves to ask for such a simple request.

If you want to meet and build a relationship with your soul mate, then you must be vulnerable. It will require overcoming your resistance to communicate with that person about your wants and needs. This also puts you in an uncomfortable position because you are putting yourself out there for a rejection or even frustration.

Thankfully, when you make these simple requests based on your needs, you will become stronger and more aware that you are no longer a child who feels pushed into the corner. There’s no shame or humiliation in asking for your needs to be met.

Offer and Receive Affection

You encourage vulnerability when you both offer and accept affection from others. Over time, you will learn that your soul mate isn’t going to use your vulnerable times to control you. When you share warmth and love with others, then you are making a statement that you’re ready to receive it in return.

Affection is both verbal and physical. It can be playful, tender, caring, or seductive. However, it’s given, it’s an outward expression of your generous nature and fulfilling the needs of others as well as asking for your needs to be filled.

But, how do you achieve this?

At first, you may feel a bit anxious or uncomfortable as these behaviors are new and challenging to display. You need to protect yourself will undoubtedly come into play too. There’s always the risk that you will be hurt, or someone will take advantage of your generous nature.

However, if you hold steadfast and put your doubts aside, then you will learn why vulnerability in love is so essential. Research proves that individuals who had issues from their childhood that stem from abandonment, controlling, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and neglect often have problems with vulnerability. These people withdrawal into themselves and walk on eggshells around others.

It makes it hard to have a meaningful relationship with someone who isn’t emotionally available. However, you can teach someone to be more vulnerable by giving them the tools they need to build confidence. Working with a therapist is a great place to start. If you want long and meaningful relationships, you must open yourself to the innermost parts you hide from others.

Final Thoughts on the Connection Between Vulnerability and Falling in Love

The beauty of finding your “person” or partner in life is that this is the one that understands you better than anyone else. Some people note that they find it easier to let down their walls when it’s with the right one.

Your partner will make you feel like an equal and not less than in life. Research indicates that with therapy, your childhood battles, and feelings of abandonment and neglect, can melt away when you’re in a safe place. What is it that you hold back in love, and how has it affected your ability to have meaningful relationships?

If you’ve been unlucky in love, perhaps it’s time to explore if your lack of a vulnerable nature had anything to do with it. You can learn to open and expose those secretive places to someone who isn’t there to hurt you, but they only wish to help.

Lifestyle

10 Ways to Show People You’re Smart Without Saying Anything

10 Ways to Show People You're Smart Without Saying Anything


Being smart in this world isn’t everything, but it sure helps.

For the sake of non-confusion, let’s define the word ‘smart’ for our reference. We’ll set the term as:

 having enough mental and emotional aptitude to succeed in your life’s goals.

Some people equate smartness with a high I.Q., but there are plenty of people with an off-the-charts I.Q. who live a self-described miserly existence. Is this, then, a good, practical definition of “smart”? What’s the use of being highly intelligent if your life is chronically unhappy?

Say someone you know has a 150 I.Q., an exceptionally high score – almost genius level. Yet, they live their life in a state of self-perceived lack – of relationships, fulfillment, and meaning.

Is this smart? After all, shouldn’t someone this “smart” be able to figure out the source of the shortcomings of their lifestyle and make the necessary changes?

Therein lies the problem of equating intelligence with smarts.

Being smart involves a keenness for navigating life. Perhaps this is why Stephen Hawking, the late, great theoretical physicist, once remarked, “People who boast about their I.Q. are losers.”

In other words, to be considered ‘smart,’ there need to be present a certain degree of emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence, or ‘E.I,’ is broken down into four categories: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management, and includes such factors as:

  • Knowing your emotional states
  • Managing your emotions
  • Motivating yourself
  • Recognizing and understanding other people’s emotions (empathy)
  • Managing relationships

A rather broad definition of smarts, but there you go.

In this article, we’re going to discuss why it’s beneficial to (subtly) display your smarts to others. We’re not talking about bragging or waving around your college diploma. We’re talking about small, everyday activities and behaviors that you are smart and capable.

Let’s get to it then!

smart people dont tolerate these behaviors

10 Ways to Show People You’re Smart

“Be as smart as you can, but remember that it is always better to be wise than to be smart.”  ~ Alan Alda, 6-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner

As you go through this list of ten things to do to show people you’re smart, you’ll no doubt read items that you think are basic common-sense. This shows awareness; another quality often left out of the intelligence “equation.” It’s also a critical aspect of smartness.

Without further ado, here are ten ways to show people that you’re smart!

1  – Always be on time

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.” ~ Charles Darwin, founder of the Theory of Evolution

To be on time is to demonstrate your self-awareness and sense of responsibility. People who are chronically late are perceived as unreliable, untrustworthy, and undisciplined. None of these traits should ever be associated with a smart person.

People who achieve their goals are masters of their time. Take Charles Darwin as an example. By his own account, Charles Darwin didn’t possess any kind of extraordinary intellect. Something he did possess was mastery over his time.

It is said that Darwin would observe different animals for hours, ensuring that all of his work was done as meticulously as possible. The only way he could do this, of course, was to carefully allocate his waking hours for what he perceived to be his life’s most important tasks.

2 –  Be a good listener

“It takes a great man to be a good listener.”  ~ Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States

Really quickly: Think of a couple of people in your life who are good listeners. People whose eyes remain fixated on yours while you speak. People who always seem to offer excellent and timely advice.

What characteristics do you associate with them?

The odds are that “smart” is up there.

The reason is simple: it’s challenging to be a good listener. To listen well requires the honing of attention and the trait of open-mindedness. It also involves restraint and the ability to control impulsive thoughts.

These qualities are the bedrock of active listening – the ability to remain receptive to the words of another and to offer a timely, relevant response.

socially intelligent people listen well

3 –  Spend money wisely

“Don’t tell me where your priorities are. Show me where you spend your money, and I’ll tell you what they are.”  ~ Dr. James W. Frick, former Vice President for the University of Notre Dame

Did you know that most countries with the highest personal savings rates (money left after taxes/bills/etc.) tend to have lower incomes?

In other words, saving money has nothing to do with money coming in or out. It has everything to do with prioritizing.

Smart people save and spend money wisely, period. They know that going to war with yourself over why there’s nothing left in the bank isn’t worth it.

Fortunately, this is a problem that’s quite easy to fix!

Come up with an accurate budget of your average monthly expenses and income. Don’t allow the former to exceed the latter. Yes, you may have to cut back or eliminate costs.

In a few months, you’ll have a bit of cushion!

4 – Get organized

“For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.” ~ Benjamin Franklin, American statesman, inventor, and philosopher

So many of us waste time and energy simply because we’re unorganized. A smart person doesn’t allow this to happen.

Simple things like putting your keys in the same place, automating your savings, spending a few minutes cleaning up your workspace – and so on – can save you time and make your life easier.

Start by identifying the most significant time and energy wasters in your life. What can you do to ease the burden?

5 – Be polite

“Please be polite. Nothing in life should erode the habit of saying thank you to people or praising them.”   ~ Sir Richard Branson, Founder and CEO of the Virgin Group

Politeness displays that you have a sense of sophistication and selflessness. Doing things like holding the door open or helping an elderly adult with their groceries not only feels good but contributes to your self-esteem and self-worth.

Rudeness, on the other hand, sends the opposite message. Rude people are perceived as ignorant and social misfits – two words that are never applied to someone smart.

oversized ego

6 – Have a sense of style

“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality that is everyday life.”  ~ Bill Cunningham, American fashion photographer for the New York Times

We don’t buy into the extreme materialism that has seemingly dug its hooks into the collective psyche of developed countries. This top isn’t about greed, adornment, or braggadocio.

It’s about presentability.

Appearance still matters in many ways, including how smart you appear to others. Take a pair of eyeglasses, for example. Do they not transform the wearer into a more studious form?

Bottom line: own a nice pair of slacks and some decent dress shoes. Patch, repair, or replace clothing as needed.

7 –  Remember the details

“The difference between something good and something great is attention to detail.” ~ Charles R. Swindoll, Christian pastor, author, and educator

Details run our life. Those whom others perceive as smart pay close attention to those details. Failing to do so can result in adverse consequences, up to an including the catastrophic.

Getting better at paying attention to detail requires the honing of both selective and sustained attention. Selective attention is the ability to choose a specific stimulus out of many, while sustained attention involves holding the attention onto the stimulus (e.g., a task or target).

Attention is analogous to a muscle. Use it, and it becomes stronger, don’t, and it atrophies. Some useful exercises for strengthening focus include meditation (of course), reading, and physical activity.

8 – Take notes

Okay, so you may feel a bit embarrassed by taking notes at your next meeting. But you know what? It sure as heck conveys a positive message.

First and foremost, taking notes shows your commitment to excellence. Second, it shows that you’re willing to study to get better.

Being a smart person requires that you remember the essential things. Unfortunately, we tend to be somewhat biased in this regard, thinking that we’ll remember more than we actually will.

This is where taking notes can help a ton. It’s also an easy, subtle way to show off your smarts.

9 – Keep the right company

“Tell me with who you associate, and I will tell you who you are.” ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, German writer and statesman

Speaking of easy ways to appear smart (or not), there’s who you choose to call your friends. Fair or not, who you “hang out” with is seen as a reliable indicator of your judgment – and thus, smarts.

The choice to keep in good company isn’t an exclusionary or elitist ideal. We tell our kids all of the time to avoid the “wrong crowd,” after all. While we’re a bit less susceptible to corrosive influences as an adult, it’s still essential to associate with the right person; if for none other reason than to be seen as having good character and judgment.

10 – Take care of your body

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~ Jim Rohn, entrepreneur, author, and motivational speaker

While some people care for their body to boost their egos, we seek a more holistic reason.

The best one: well (or poorly) your body is taking care of will affect (positively or negatively) everything that you do. Energy levels, susceptibility to disease, and degree of mobility are all influenced – to a great extent – by how you care for the body.

With this in mind, try to get at least 30 to 45 minutes to light to moderate exercise every day.

Final Thoughts on Showing People How Smart You Are Without Bragging About It

Taking these actions puts your “smarts” on display. You won’t need to tell others how sharp-minded you are. Indeed, your behaviors will speak volumes about you.

Business

Standing Out at Trade Shows: The Top Trade Show Display Ideas

Standing Out at Trade Shows: The Top Trade Show Display


Standing Out at Trade Shows: The Top Trade Show Display Ideas

Are you looking to create some noise for a new product? Or perhaps you’re rebranding your company and are planning to let everyone know about it? Regardless of the reason, joining a trade show is a wise move to make.

Trade shows offer numerous benefits. Regardless of the industry you belong to, you may generate enough mileage in a trade show.

But one of the keys to a successful trade show appearance is your booth. You need to have a solid display that will capture everyone’s attention.

Let’s discuss some of the top trade show display ideas that you may incorporate or draw inspiration from.

Lucky 13 Tips Top  to Consider 

As we mentioned earlier, it doesn’t matter which industry you belong to. There is potential in trade shows. There are also numerous trade shows you can join.

But before joining any of them, you need to prepare the right way. Your booth is your means of connecting to the public. It should catch their attention and provide the key details about your brand.

So how should your booth look like? Here are 13 of the top trade show display ideas that will help you come up with a show-stopper.

Aim for an Inviting Vibe

If you want people to enter your booth, you need to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Set up some chairs so guests can read your brochures comfortably. Keep in mind that trade shows only have limited seating options.

While they are sitting, you can introduce yourself and break the ice. If they have any questions, provide clear and complete answers. 

You may also want to place some padded mats on the floor. This will create more room where people can sit in case you run out of available chairs. Most of the time, trade shows take place in areas that feature concrete flooring.

This type of flooring is not too comfortable to sit on. 

You should also make sure that your booth’s lighting is on point. People tend to enter booths that have excellent lighting. This is also beneficial if you have some brochures and reading materials to give out.

Create an Early Buzz

Sometimes, success at a trade show begins even before the event. You should look to create a buzz a few weeks before the date of the trade show. 

Use your social media accounts to create some noise. Post hints and teasers leading to the day of the event. Publish photos from the event coordinators to keep the excitement high. 

Your goal is to sustain the people’s interest as the trade show approaches.

The Pop-up Tent

The pop-up tent is a staple in trade shows. This is especially true if the event takes place outdoors. Primarily, the tent provides shade from the sun and other elements. 

It also creates a more intimate atmosphere. When guests enter the tent, they get this feeling of entering a private place. 

Another great thing about pop-up tents is their flexibility. They are easy to transport. You will not have a hard time setting it up. 

To complete your setup, make sure to put up some banner stands outside of your tent. Even only one banner stand on every corner will do.

Opportunity to Teach

If you are introducing a new product, you want to use the trade show as an opportunity to educate the public. People attend trade shows to learn something new. They want to know the latest offerings from the companies they follow.

Thus, make sure they take home some new knowledge after visiting your booth. The key is to make the learning experience an engaging one. Don’t hesitate to use interactive tools to spruce the interest of your visitors.

If you need to demonstrate how your product works, do so without rushing. You want the guests to understand how to operate your product. 

Schedule different sets of demonstrations throughout the day. This way, people will know when to visit your booth if they wish to get to know your products better.

Offer Necessities

Offering knowledge is good. But going the extra mile by offering things the guests need is better. These are the small but essential things like bottled water. 

People walk around for hours in trade shows. They will likely go thirsty and hungry. You may also offer snacks like cookies or fruits. 

If you don’t feel like serving food, you can put up a charging station right beside your booth. While visitors charge their mobile phones, you can talk to them about your products and services. 

Make sure that you put your brochures on top of the charging or refreshments table.

Branded Giveaways Work

If you have the money to spare, consider giving out branded giveaways. These things can be hats or pens. 

People love branded items. They will not hesitate to visit your booth to grab a giveaway. 

And when you give out the freebies, make sure to put them in a large bag. Guests will appreciate big recyclable bags, as they will likely carry a lot of stuff during the event. Make sure that the big bags carry your branding.

But if you are working on a tight budget, you can turn the branded giveaways into prizes.

Put up a Contest

Speaking of prizes, you may also hold a contest during the event. People gravitate toward contests. They want to try their luck on winning. 

You want to come up with something creative that will earn a great prize for your guests. But make sure that people can easily join the contest. Avoid mechanics that are too much complex.

You don’t need to spend a lot on the prizes. But make sure they are worth the effort of the guests. As for the nature of the prizes, you may consider sticking to things that concern your product. 

If you are selling dog or cat food, you may want to give out some pet care products as prizes.

Be Quick and Informative

People in trade events move to and fro. They go from one booth to another and get all the brochures and leaflets that they can. Thus, you need to be quick and informative in your engagements.

You want every guest to come out of your booth with a takeaway. If you see them rushing, give them a brochure or company card before they leave. 

This will give them the chance to get back to you via email or phone call for any inquiries. Your goal is to not make them leave empty-handed.

Use the Photo Booth

There is no doubt people love taking photos. So why not spend for a photo booth right inside your pop-up tent? 

Your photo booth must come with all the works. This means it must showcase your flags, branded backdrop, and other props. You can send the photos later on via email of instantly using Polaroid printouts. 

Photo booths not only keep the excitement up, but they also serve as a medium for brand promotion and awareness.

Get Straight with Your Branding

When it comes to your branding, you need to get it right. This means preserving your brand through consistency. If your product is all about car accessories, your booth must come with automobile elements all around.

If your service involves health and wellness, you can set up your booth with a relaxing ambiance. Your booth must remind prospective customers what your products are all about.

Focus on Attendee Experience

One of the best ways to stand out during a trade show is to blow away the minds of everyone. This means placing more focus on the experience of the attendees. 

Your goal is to excite them the moment they enter your booth until the step out. If your product is a brand new car, you can offer a virtual test drive inside the booth.

If you are offering new flavors of ice cream, then give everyone a free taste. You want prospective clients to experience what you have to offer.

Invest in Space

The space of your booth plays a crucial role in your campaign’s effectiveness during the event. Thus, you should consider renting more space. 

The more space you have, the more products you can showcase. More space means more room for interactive features. A bigger booth means a greater number of people who can come in at the same time.

Additionally, you need to maximize the space that you have. Fill up the gaps and extra spaces with interesting elements. Place some items that will open up conversations. 

Set Up a Beat

Last but not least, your booth needs to have some music. When choosing your playlist, make sure it is in tune with the demographics of the attendees. 

If the trade show caters to the younger generation, then play some music from today’s popular artists. You should also align the music with your brand and products. To be safe, don’t play anything boring.

Take Your Brand to the Next Level with These Trade Show Display Ideas

With these top trade show ideas we discussed above, you can get a step ahead of the competition. You can stand out during the event and generate more leads than ever.

As for the other marketing and advertising concerns, you need to continue learning and incorporating new ideas. We invite you to check our other articles and blog posts on brand building. 

We discuss different topics that aim to help companies take their brands to the next level.

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Trading Up: 10 Tips for Success in Your Trade Show Booth Presentation

Trading Up: 10 Tips for Success in Your Trade Show


Trading Up: 10 Tips for Success in Your Trade Show Booth Presentation

Is your trade show technique working for your business?

If you’re struggling to make it a success you may wonder if trade shows are worth the hype. Well, according to statistics, they are.

About 80% of visitors buy a product or service they interacted with at a trade show. Why? Because the samples or demonstration motivated them to do so.

Some businesses seem to have a secret recipe to success when it comes to their exhibition booth. But what’s the secret?

Read on for ten trade show tips that will expose all the secrets of a successful presentation.

1. The 30 Second Window

Did you know that we only have a 30-second window to make a good first impression? Whether it’s the beginning of your presentation or how you set up your exhibition booth, you’ve got to catch the attention of your audience.

Your exhibition booth should be unique but matching your brand. You should design your booth to catch the eyes of passersby.

For example, Polaroid created a summer camp-style exhibition booth. It had a treehouse with chimpanzee figures hanging around. It certainly drew in the crowds.

Your actual presentation should also draw the crowds in. Start with a video, music or a bold statement to grab attention. You’ve got to stand out, or you’ll get lost in the crowds.

2. Trade Show Presentation Ready

To make your presentation great, you need to set up your presenting area in a professional way. Here are some of the things you will need:

  • A small stage area
  • A podium for your iPad or notes
  • A large screen or projector and high-quality speakers
  • A preplanned slideshow or digital presentation
  • Spotlight (the oldest trick in the book)

If you’ve got the right set-up, your presentation will come across as professional. Customers will be more likely to take you seriously.

3. An Experience to Remember

Instead of taking the stage and lecturing your audience, create an experience instead.

For example, Charity Water is an organization that helps remote communities around the world to have a clean water supply. As part of their presentation, they invite their audience to carry two 40lb buckets of water across a 50-yard platform. This helps the audience to understand the struggles some go through to have clean water.

Can you offer some kind of experience to make your brand seem engaging? This will create a buzz of excitement around your trade booth.

4. Mix It Up

To hold the attention of your audience, you need to mix up your presentation. It should include a variety of techniques. For example:

  • Lecture (up to 5 minutes)
  • Slideshows
  • Charts (facts and figures)
  • Animations and videos
  • Audience participation
  • Q&A

This will keep your presentation entertaining. Potential customers will feel motivated to stay throughout the performance. Instead of getting bored and leaving halfway.

5. Practice Makes Perfect

One of the most important trade show tips for your presentation is to practice. But don’t over practice as you don’t want to sound rigid or scripted. A natural, relaxed style will be appealing to your audience.

You can practice by writing out a script (but not word for word). Rehearse your presentation out loud, and make adjustments to the script accordingly.

Don’t forget to add humor! Adding humor to your presentation can create a relaxed vibe that will put the audience at ease.

6. Repeat Your Presentation

Remember to repeat your presentation throughout the day. Give it at set times during the trade show and have a schedule posted in your exhibition booth so that potential customers know when to come back.

This will help you to get your message out to a wider audience.

7. Be Generous

Give your guests a warm welcome. Not only in your manner, but also in how you set up your exhibition booth. Make it your aim to help your guests feel comfy and relaxed.

For example, have comfy chairs or beanbags. Give out free coffee and tea or try luring them with freshly baked cookies. Some businesses have created a zen den in their trade show booth (which is a place to meditate but also connects with the brand).

And don’t forget the freebies!

Promotional giveaways are like walking advertisements. Hand out wearables, stickers or anything that draws attention to your brand.

But make sure to give them their swag bags at the end of the presentation. Or they may be more interested with what’s in the bag than what you’re saying.

8. Don’t Forget Your VIP’s

It’s always easier to get a previous customer to buy again than it is to find a new customer. If your best clients aren’t going to the trade show, why not encourage them to do so?

You could even buy them a ticket as your VIP. Or hold a social media competition beforehand where the winner gets a free ticket to the event.

It might sound expensive, but you have a big chance of getting a return on investment.

9. Get Social

Don’t limit your audience to who are in attendance. Add an online avenue to your trade show presentation. This may extend your audience across oceans.

Assign someone to keep social media updates running throughout the day. You should post some portions live, such as one of your presentations.

Interact with online visitors to keep the connection. For example, during your presentation, you may hold a Q&A. Let online visitors ask questions too.

10. Reach Out

You may have stolen the show at the exhibition. But what’s next?

You must follow up with leads ASAP! The longer you hang around, the more likely they will forget about you. You weren’t the only business they interacted with after all.

Don’t be afraid to reach out quickly. Try to get in touch within a few days. This will keep the fire burning, and you’ll be more likely to make a sale.

Do Your Homework

Of course, these ten trade show tips only scratching the surface. If you want to make your next trade show a marketing goldmine, you need a killer strategy.

Do your homework and read more about these strategies. Trade shows are a huge investment, after all. You’ve got to make it worth your while, and you can only do that if you prepare thoroughly.

Steal the Show

As you can see, the key to trade show success is to prepare. Make it engaging, draw people in, and be unique to your brand. Give it everything you’ve got; you might just steal the show!

Are you trying to make a success of your business? Check out these amazing marketing ideas that will put your business on the map.