I can recall a time when it was extraordinarily difficult to get almost any detailed information that you might need. This was before the Internet, of course. Now though we had a very different problem. We are deluged with data, mountains and rivers, and oceans of data. It’s called “big data” and experts talk about it all the time. Today though, I want to talk about a much smaller issue. With so many different ways to communicate, so much research, and so many people out there to connect with, how do you connect with the right person?
At EZTrackIt, we have been wrestling with this problem for a long time. We worked very hard to develop a simple, easy-to-use package logging software solution. Originally, I thought that just “building a better mousetrap” would be enough to cause people to beat a path to my front door. As it turns out though, simply putting up a website and doing some online marketing doesn’t really do the job. Even in our online world there are times when there is absolutely no substitute for meeting people face-to-face, sharing a smile, and a handshake.
Thus, I find Suzannah and myself doing three tradeshows in three weeks. While tradeshows can be tiring, I have discovered that they really help us to hone our message. For instance, instead of telling every person that walks by that our package tracking system allows you to log packages 4 to 10 times faster than by hand, we simply asked folks to tell us about their package logging process. Using this interactive approach allows us to get a better sense of how our package logging software is used as well as how it might be used in the future.
Most importantly however, I think that a tradeshow highlights the importance of talking to the right person. A dozen people may walk by before you find the right person to talk to. Once you’ve connected with that person suddenly everything becomes very easy(no pun intended). Mixing and mingling in the real world is perhaps the best way to know the types of people that can help you achieve your goals.
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