Save money, hire trade show staff!

April 16, 2012

We just can’t get enough of trade shows here at GC. They’re such exciting and busy events and a great opportunity for GC Brand Ambassadors to shine. It’s also a win-win for vendors who get to staff their booth with experienced talent while also saving plenty of money!

How hiring trade show staff saves you money:

  • hiring trade show staffCut expenses – Vendors with booths at shows already have to buy booth space at a show and fill it with a great display. Why pay for hotel rooms, expensive meals, and transportation on top of all of that? GC staffs locally, so even if you’re travelling in from Los Angeles for a show at the Javits Center in New York, we’ll be using people who already live in the city. They won’t have jetlag, get lost on the way, or need reimbursement for cabs, hotels, and meals. They’re there to work just when you need them!
  • The right look – By hiring promotional staff that appeals directly to your target demographic, you increase the likelihood that your trade show efforts will be successful! Your team may know the products you’re promoting inside and out, but with a quick phone training you can teach this brand messaging to eager trade show reps who fit the exact brand image you’re looking to promote.
  • Double your productivity – By hiring fantastic trade show staff for your next show, you can leave most of your team back at the office. You get to save money that you would have spent flying them out and gain the hours that they’ll be working while the show is going on. How can you lose?
  • Trade show experience – GC Trade show reps have in many cases worked hundreds of trade shows or promotional events for various brands. They are excellent marketers with plenty of experience working in very busy and high-pressure environments. You’ll get more bang for your buck by hiring trade show staff that knows what it takes to shine on the show room floor.

Get your booth buzzing at a price that’s right for you and ask us for a free quote!

The GC Marketing Services Team

Post by Cricky Cicchetti

Posted in Trade Show | Tagged | 1 Comment

Keeping Focused for Summer Promotions

April 10, 2012

Spring weather is here! The flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and everyone’s breaking out the warm-weather clothes! The great weather heralds the coming of the summer, a notoriously busy time for promotions. The lovely weather also means that Brand Ambassadors will have increasing numbers of distractions during summer promotions!

Some usual culprits: Frisbee games, ice cream trucks, shady parks, cute guys/girls wearing revealing clothing and sunning themselves, etc.

So what can reps to do keep focused? Here some ideas we’ve heard from talent who have been able to resist the sunny weather temptations!

Avoiding summer distractions

  • ice cream truck summer distractionMake it a game – Get a little competitive with yourself or your team and set some goals to keep you engaged. If you’re handing out flyers, see who can hand out more. If you’re supposed to be engaging with customers, see how quickly you can get them to smile and start chatting with you.
  • Focus on the outcome – If you’re saving up for a particular item or just trying to make rent, keep that goal in mind! If you lose focus, don’t do a good job, no-show, arrive late, or leave an event early, you risk not only losing money from the job you were hired for but losing out on the opportunity to be booked for jobs down the line. Remember why the job at hand is worth every moment of your attention!
  • Use your willpower – If you know you’re prone to distraction, mentally prepare yourself to block out everything other than the promotion. Do whatever it takes! Give yourself a little treat after events where you maintain excellent focus. If possible, physically turn yourself in such a way that you won’t see distractions. Develop a mantra!

We hope you found something in here that will help you maintain excellent focus! If you have more ideas of ways to block out distractions, let us know in a comment!

The GC Marketing Services Team

Posted by Jeff Dean

Posted in Experiential Marketing | Tagged | Leave a comment

Promo Tips from The Big Bang Theory

April 9, 2012

If you’ve worked a lot of promotions, we wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve met Brand Ambassadors with something less than ideal promotional skills. We decided to take a look at some personality types that struggle in the promotional field and learn from their bad habits. After breaking down the characters in Downton Abbey and Mad Men, here’s a little breakdown of some of the characters in The Big Bang Theory!

The Big Bang Theory & Promotional Marketing

  • Leonard Hofstadter

    • Leonard Hofstader The Big Bang TheoryDespite his geeky hobbies, nerdy fashion sense, and thick glasses, Leonard is still perhaps the most functional of the four scientists featured on The Big Bang Theory. He serves as a go-between and mediator for Sheldon, Howard, and Rajesh in a lot of situations, attempting to explain their behavior to others. Leonard has always been in love with Penny, the hot girl from across the hall and, despite the vast nerdiness that makes them so different from each other, he never gives up his pursuit of her affection.

    - Be confident, speak up, and always articulate. Despite the obstacles in Leonard’s way, his dogged persistence and candor always end up persevering. If it doesn’t seem like you’re “into” the brand you are promoting, people will notice and it will affect everyone’s overall experience. Instead, be enthusiastic, confident and proud that you are promoting the particular brand! This will affect people’s overall outlook of the brand you are advertising. If you’re not into it the promotion, why should other people be?

  • Sheldon Cooper

    • Sheldon Cooper The Big Bang TheoryPerhaps the most dysfunctional of the four friends, Sheldon’s intelligence cripples his social life. He cannot function outside the confines of his own fabricated routines and belittles anyone he deems to be less intelligent. Sheldon brashly broadcasts his superiority complex while failing to grasp basic social concepts like sarcasm, sympathy, and humility.

    - Being a genius clearly can’t help you master every situation! Instead, being able to adapt to new situations is a valuable skill in promotional work–being wedded to one routine isn’t a good quality. Sheldon’s proclivity to be sarcastic isn’t a good one either. Having a genuinely happy demeanor will help you connect with those around you. Sheldon also usually speak fast and mumbles, placing additional distance between himself and those around him. Instead, don’t over-think! Just relax and focus on connecting with others in a positive way.

  • Howard Wolowitz

    • Howard Wolowitz The Big Bang TheoryHoward is a little bit creepy when he’s hitting on women. Though he believes himself to be incredibly suave with outlandish pickup lines, Howard’s total confidence and lack of self-reflection make him a bit of joke to those around him. His distinctly 60′s fashion sense is just a physical manifestation of how out-of-touch Howard is.

    - While Howard’s confidence is admirable, you must be able to reflect and re-work your strategy if it’s not working. Flirting is also not acceptable while working any job, so keep it together! While connecting on a personal level with potential clients or passersby is important, the focus must always remain with the product, brand, or event.

  • Rajesh Koothrappali

    • Rajesh Koothrappali The Big Bang TheoryThe most distinctive trait Rajesh has is his inability to talk to women (at all!) unless he’s been drinking. Besides this somewhat odd idiosyncrasy, Rajesh is otherwise pretty normal. He’s a little naive and lacks all of Howard’s confidence, but he’s much more socially aware than Sheldon.

    - Speak up! Being a Brand Ambassador is all about fantastic verbal communication skills. While drinking on the job is obviously unacceptable, it’s important to get yourself pumped up and enthusiastic at the beginning of every promotion. Whether it’s your first promotion or your fiftieth, being genuinely excited for an event can make a huge difference in the success of your pitches.

  • Penny

    • Penny The Big Bang TheoryPenny is a struggling actress (and a thriving Cheesecake Factory waitress!) that lives across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon. She’s attractive, spunky, and very loyal. Though not remarkably book smart, Penny’s actual real-world experience makes her a huge asset to Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Rajesh.

    While looks can be important for brand promotions, there’s a lot more to it. Though constantly mocked and insulted by Sheldon and hit on by Leonard, Penny’s perseverance and good attitude keep her going every day.

Contact GC today for a free quote for your event! We staff nationwide with a talent database of 70,000 brand ambassadors so that you can find the perfect person to represent your product or brand. For the right people in the right places,

The GC Marketing Services Team

Post by Jeff Dean

Posted in Brand Ambassadors, Experiential Marketing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

The Secrets of Crowd Gathering

April 6, 2012

At many promotional events Brand Ambassadors are tasked with gathering a crowd, but this isn’t an easy task! Some people are born with magnetic personalities that just draw people in, but for most of us this is a skill that requires considerable effort. But not to fear! It’s absolutely a talent that can be improved, honed, and perfected!

Crowd Gathering

  • crowd gatheringSmiling – We say it over and over but it’s true! Smiling makes you more attractive and when you’re looking your best and radiating a positive demeanor, everyone is more likely to want to speak with you. No one would rather approach someone looking glum. Don’t go crazy though, a crazy-eyed Cheshire Cat grin will also make passersby cut a wide swath around you. Just shoot for relaxed, happy, and eager.
  • Open Body Language – No slumped shoulders, no crossed arms, no fidgeting, no pacing, and no swaying! These are all signs of either nerves, boredom, or tiredness and they communicate that you’re in no mood to talk to people. If you’re bored or tired, your brand or product must not be that interesting. Instead, a stable and ready posture that requires just a little energy will also leave your mind more ready to greet someone.
  • Eye Contact – Another crucial part of making a personal connection with someone, eye contact is rarely done wrong (but we’ve seen it happen!) As someone approaches, meet their gaze and smile. Once you’ve made eye contact they will feel more free to speak; People don’t feel comfortable speaking to you if they’re not sure you’re paying attention to them.
  • Energy and Excitement – Whether it’s the kind of event at which you can attract people with a snappy shouted marketing pitch or where a rep has to shine in one-on-one situations, treating every interaction as though it were your main focus is important. Finding enjoyment in a sales pitch to a tradeshow attendee can leave both of you laughing which will definitely turn heads and get others interested. It doesn’t matter what the product is–just engage on a personal level with genuine enthusiasm and you’ll reap the benefits.
  • Look Awesome – Put as much effort into your appearance as you do into your sales pitch! If you show up to work an event with a wrinkled shirt and scuffed shoes, you don’t look as great as you could (check out these silly attire mistakes!) Wearing clean, unripped, and professional attire makes you look more trustworthy and authoritative and will make people more likely to pay attention when you speak.
  • Work Your Audience – Whether there are two people listening or twenty you’ve got to be aware of the audience. Gauge the mood, engage as many as you can without getting off topic, and keep things moving! Brand messaging isn’t a one-way street, so be sure to listen too.
  • Reach Out – Oftentimes people are afraid to move outside their comfort zone. Don’t just wait for people to approach you! Actively entice others whether it’s with humor, a convincing sales pitch, or just being friendly. You miss 100% of shots you don’t take, so take a chance and try reeling someone in. Your initiative won’t go overlooked!

What are some other tips for gathering a crowd and keeping them interested? What are the biggest groups you’ve worked with and what did you do? Let us know in a comment!

For the right people in the right places,

The GC Marketing Services Team

Post by Cricky Cicchetti

Posted in Brand Ambassadors, Experiential Marketing, Trade Show | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Making the Pitch: Street Team Marketing

April 5, 2012

We all know good pitches when we hear them. Effective street team marketing will get us to stop on our way to work or the store and listen to whatever is being promoted or take a sample. When you’re putting together a pitch you should be sure to think about specific need you can fulfill for a passerby, who your target audience is, and what behavior you want to elicit from them. Affecting consumer behavior is the whole point of marketing!

A good pitch versus a bad pitch

  • street-team-marketing“It’s free!” versus “Try a free hand lotion sample!”

    • In both situations there is correct emphasis on the fact that the giveaway is free. People love free things so letting them know this up front will only encourage them to take it. The big difference is that in the second version the pitch actually spells out what the sample is. Even if a BA has said this pitch a hundred times, there’s always the chance that someone within earshot hadn’t heard the pitch yet. No one wants a sample of something unknown, so tell them what it is very clearly.

  • “Would you like to know about the company called The Food Service?” versus “Looking for better local produce?”

    • The answer to the first option would probably be “no” for most people. Passersby probably don’t know anything about the company or product you’re promoting and without that background information, they won’t be interested in stopping and listening to advertising. If you phrase it in such a way that emphasizes a potential benefit to them, you suddenly give them a reason to want to hear what you have to say.

  • “Free concert tonight!” versus “Free contemporary jazz at 9pm!”

    • There are good things and bad things about each pitch. If this is a flyering event, the first pitch might is a lot more general and will probably get more people to take flyers–those who don’t like contemporary jazz or aren’t around at 9pm won’t take one. However, with the first pitch the flyer is also more likely to be thrown away. You’ll hand out more but get a much lower yield. With the second approach you’ll be handing flyers to those who might actually attend, not just those who generally like music.

Contact GC today for a free quote for your event! We staff nationwide with a talent database of 70,000 brand ambassadors so that you can find the perfect person to represent your product or brand. For the right people in the right places,

The GC Marketing Services Team

Posted by Jeff Dean

Posted in Event Staffing, Experiential Marketing | Tagged , | Leave a comment