How do you fit in and make a great lasting impression on the businesses you meet at trade shows? This section of the article will guide you through some general points on Japanese business etiquette and operational execution at the show.
What are some key cultural nuances I need to know before going to trade shows in Japan?
- Business card etiquette
- Be respectful when exchanging business cards. Once you receive one, take a moment to read and examine it before putting it away.
- Exchanging business cards in Japan is a bigger deal than one might assume. To learn more about Japanese business card etiquette, check out our article on Japanese business cards.
- Politeness and respect
- Ojigi, which is the Japanese term for bowing, is a respectful gesture that will leave a positive lasting impression.
- Use honorifics; if somebody introduces themselves as ***-san, it is ideal to refer to them that way.
- Dress code
- Dress appropriately; trade shows generally do not have a strict dress code, but if you want to make a good impression, you’ll want to consider dressing in smart-casual clothes.
- Gift giving
- Receive gifts with both hands as it emphasizes your gratitude.
- If it is not your first time meeting a business at a trade show, consider bringing a small gift from your home country.
- Silence and non-verbal communication
- Remember that silence is completely normal. It allows individuals some mind space for thinking.
- Language consideration
- Not everybody may speak English as their first language. Remember to speak slowly and avoid complex language.
- Hierarchy
- Seniority is an important factor in Japanese business culture. Be sure to respect your elders and prioritize their input in decision-making processes.
Taking your business a step further with a Japanese company? See our article on Japanese Business Etiquette for a comprehensive guide on the Dos and Don’ts in Japanese corporate culture!
How do I market my booth at trade shows in Japan?
Pre-show marketing strategies
One way you can widen your reach at a trade afghanistan phone number library show is to be one step ahead! This means that your game plan starts before the actual event takes place. With digital marketing strategies, your business will be able to reach and communicate with prospective show-goers so that they can anticipate your attendance at the show. Digital marketing will also allow you to build your presence online, adding credibility and reputation to your image once you’re at the trade show in person and introducing your business to others.
There are several effective digital marketing strategies such as Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Pay-per-click (PPC), and social media marketing. However, this is a wide topic on its own. If you would like to learn more about the specific strategies you can implement before attending a trade show, we’ve got you covered with our Guide to Digital Marketing in Japan.
At-show promotions and networking
On the day/s of the trade show, you’ll need to seize all the opportunities presented by the event to make sure you can get the most out of it. You can do this by networking with the exhibitors and merchants and promoting your own business. However, don’t forget about some of the important points on Japanese business etiquette listed above. You can also check out our other article on business networking in Japan for a crash course on how to network and how to be a pro at it! It’s important to build as many connections as you can in your industry as these relationships can provide you with valuable insights that could contribute to business growth.
For merchants, it would be ideal to bring multiple staff members to the show. You could have some staff at the booth and some staff tasked to walk around the venue and drive potential customers to your business. You may also prepare physical materials (e.g. brochures, pamphlets, flyers) for people to take home and refer to in the future.
As for exhibitors who wish to make a lasting impression through their presence, it would be helpful to do some research on the booths you wish to visit before coming to them. This will provide you with background knowledge of a business and allow you to engage in a substantial conversation with the staff at the booth. Doing so will show the merchant your interest in what they have to offer. Towards the end of your conversation would be a great time to exchange business cards as well.
Leveraging social media and digital platforms
As mentioned previously, digital marketing would be one of the strongest instruments in making your presence known. During trade shows in Japan, you can check the organizer’s website and social media pages for updates on popular booths, businesses whose booths you have not yet seen, and possible programs with speech opportunities.
Struggling To Close Sales in Japan?
You can also use this to your advantage by connecting with businesses digitally before and/or after meeting them in person. This way, you will be able to keep in touch even after the trade show.
How do I operate a booth at trade shows in Japan?
If you’re thinking of running your booth at trade shows in Japan, this section of the article will guide you through critical aspects you’ll need to consider. These include how to design your booth, sell your product, and make sure you’re complying with local trade regulations.
Logistical Considerations
Booth design and setup
Most trade shows in Japan are quite big which means that there will be hundreds of businesses and brands with their booths as well. You’ll want to design and promote your booth so that your brand stands out and is easily distinguishable. This will help exhibitors remember your business and make it easier for them to come back to your booth later on. Additionally, trade shows can be crowded so people are bustling through the venue trying to visit as many booths and meet as many people as they can.
That being said, it would help to set your booth up in such a way that exhibitors can easily see your selling point. Also, consider placing some flyers or promotional materials in a reachable spot for exhibitors to refer to. This will save lots of time for both you and your potential customer!
On-site services and support
When it comes to attending to a potential customer’s needs, you need to make sure that communication is done smoothly and that you can give them reasons to engage with your business. In doing so, you can build their trust and show them what kind of customer service they can expect from you.
Feel like you need some selling tips? We have a comprehensive guide on selling products in Japan to teach you how to do it effectively, so you might want to give it a look!
Booth size
Choosing a booth size at trade shows in Japan could be tricky. You would need to consider the price of a space and understand if you will be able to maximize it. For some businesses, a smaller and compact booth is enough to cover their selling point and entertain their customers. On the other hand, other businesses may need bigger spaces to accommodate a larger collection of products and sometimes a private meeting room to hold conversations with some of their VIPs. Nevertheless, it really depends on what you think is optimal for your business.
Financial Planning and
Speaking of optimizing your presence at trade shows in Japan, this section of the article tackles important considerations when you’re budgeting for the show, estimating and tracking your return on investments , and other financial aspects of attending a trade show.
Budgeting for the show
If you are attending trade shows in Japan, you’ll need to come up with a budget by considering your goals and researching potential costs. Goal setting is much more important than one would initially think. By setting your objectives for participating in trade shows in Japan, you will be able to discern what aspects and expenses you will want to prioritize in your budget to attain those goals. After setting your goals, gather information on all potential expenses. These would include booth fees (for merchants), travel costs, marketing materials, and more.
Estimating and tracking
Once you have set your goals and found all the tips to improve the roi of your influencer marketing strategy necessary expenses you expect to make, it’s time to estimate your . To do so, you can allot a certain monetary value to each of your goals which represents how much you anticipate you will be gaining from attaining them. This will make it easy to compare your expected net profit to your costs.
From here, you can use the following formula to get a percentage that represents your expected :
Sponsorship and funding opportunities
Costs may also be mitigated through sponsorship and funding opportunities. Most beneficial for small to medium-sized businesses with limited budgets, these kinds of opportunities will help secure spots in larger trade shows in Japan that have higher booth fees or admission fees. We have an article on subsidies in Japan in case you’re planning to attend a trade show soon and need some funding opportunities to help you maximize the experience.
How much do things cost?
Some common fees that a business may incur ch leads when attending trade shows in Japan include both fees, registration fees, marketing and advertising packages, shipping and handling, and more. For your convenience, we’ve constructed a table containing the average cost of certain fees that you might encounter.
