This low-cost key to unlocking hidden profits
With powerful product displays
Comes right out of the bedroom
One of the biggest challenges to getting your audio products off the ground is doing it on a shoestring budget.
Sure, its easy to crank out a blockbuster once you're successful or if you've got a big bankroll. The rest of us have to be creative.
One of the best ways to start the revenue machine a crankin' is a display for your audio products at speaking gigs, presentations, workshops and networking events. And one of the keys to creating a great budget display is as close as your bedroom.
In fact, you may be sleeping on it.
Its the bed sheet. That's right, the bed sheet.
Folks have been using them to make signs and banners at parades and sporting events for decades. You can also use them to add a touch of class to your products displays at a price anyone can afford.
Cause lets face it -- there's nothing more boring than the simple white tablecloths most conference venues use to cover the tables they setup for speakers and vendors. If you’ve got money to blow on a custom made sign, more power to you.
But you'd be amazed what a colored bed sheet can do for your visibility and profile. And you can find a queen sized flat sheet at any discount store for around 10 bucks.
Here are a few tips for a classy professional display:
- Color . . . but not too colorful
Sure, those iPod commercials are neon. If your audience is into that, by all means go for it. However, as professionals, most of us can go overboard and turn potential customers off if we get too garish.
I use a deep royal or navy blue sheet. It makes an impression, but is still somewhat dignified. I figure having a cow as my logo pretty much blows my dignity margin for error, so I need to play it straighter in other areas.
You can also use earth tones like Navajo Brown or Sienna to great effect. - Coverage
Be sure your sheet covers the entire table top, with enough left over to cascade over the sides of the table. Remember, you can be a bit showy here. One other technique to create interest is to place the sheet diagonally on your table. Yeah, that kinda contradicts what I just said. The good news is that it leaves triangle-shaped splotches of the base table color showing through at the corners, for a snappy two-tone effect.
This white accent at the corners adds variety, and can even call attention to a flyer or product placed there. - Dress in Layers
If you have a great design sense, you can play with different colors and different sized sheets. As we just mentioned, different shades can call attention to different areas of your display. You can even color coordinate your sheets to match your company or product packaging colors. Of course if you don't have a plug nickel worth of design sense, you might call attention to your display for an altogether different reason. One that will drive your customers away screaming.
So you want to be careful here. Try out a few combos on your friends for feedback. Or have a spouse or colleague with style help you choose something that works.
The whole point here is the first impression people have of your audio product is VISUAL. (Strange, isn't it?)
So go for it. Make sure your displays are stunning. And don't spend alot of money doing it. Because while you may sleep on sheets, you don't want potential customers falling asleep at your display. And if you play your cards right, with this handy (and cheap!) workaround, you can be doubly sure they won't.
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The simplest way have plenty of audio products to stock your terrific display, is to record your workshops, presentations and speaking gigs. And the simplest way to do that is with our upcoming Create Your Own Blockbuster Speaking CDs. Including our amazing bonus, "iPod Recording: The Do’s, Don’ts and Delights of Using Your Favorite Electronic Gizmo to Record Your Speaking and Boost Your Profits". Check it out now!
