10 Tips for Making Custom Inflatables Pay Off

10 Ways to Achieve Event Marketing Success with Custom Inflatables

Mobile. Attention-getting. Emotional. Functional. These are just a few of the many attributes custom inflatables offer event marketers as they travel the country. Over the years, we've worked with some of the best in the industry as they've mastered the art and science of attracting traffic in the midst of a flood of people. Want to know what we've found works best? Here are 10 tips for making custom inflatables pay off for you.

Tip #1 - Think Outside the Booth - Sure, everybody knows inflatables are an excellent addition to any tradeshow booth, but what about outside the main exhibition space? Ask about placing a custom inflatable in the lobby, outside the building by the door or even on the roof. Use an attachable banner to direct attendees to your booth inside.

Tip #2 - Add Banners & Bucks - Leave room in your design for interchangeable banners. This opens the door for advertising and sponsorship opportunities that bring in additional revenue as you attend various events.

Tip #3 - Distribute Coupons En Cognito - Dress an employee in an inflatable costume then cut them loose. As they are roaming about the convention center or fairgrounds, they can hand out flyers, coupons or samples to attendees.

Tip #4 - Design a Central Hub - Rather stay close to your exhibition area? No problem! Custom inflatable kiosks make the perfect spots to distribute samples, conduct demonstrations and more.

Tip #5 - Click a Pic - Create irresistible photo opps using custom inflatables. Scenery, product replicas, caricatures and more scream, "journalists look over here!" They have a strong social media pull as well meaning the tweets and Facebook postings will keep on comin'.

Tip #6 - Project a Whole New Image - Video is all the rage. Get in on a trend in a whole new way when you use inflatable movie screens or other displays to project videos or cool effects that instantly pique the interest of passersby.

Tip #7 - Give Tiny Takeaways - Put the theme of your corporate event right into the hands of your attendees using miniature, sealed inflatables.  Cruise lines may choose a beach theme and give each person a small beach ball or ship-shaped keychain to take home.  Manufacturers may opt for smaller versions of inflatable product replicas that match the 30-foot-tall replica that takes center stage.  Whatever the case, attendees get something fun that helps increase brand loyalty.

Tip #8 - Create a Sportsman's Playground - Use inflatable sports cages to create a fun environment for visitors.  Batting, soccer or pitching: it's fun to watch or participate.  Working in conjunction with sponsors, you may be able to do more for less and make some additional revenue in the process.

Tip #9 - Offer an Oasis in the Crowd - Custom inflatable tents offer a sanctuary from the weather as well as being a resting place for weary walkers.  Whether you opt for a fully enclosed model or one that's open for full view, sponsorship opportunities exist when you use attachable banners. For meet-and-greets, demonstrations, or just a convenient place for attendees (a.k.a. your captive audience) to relax, inflatable tents are multipurpose wonders.

Tip #10 - Mix & Match for Maximum Impact - Think outside the box.  Using different types of custom inflatables in conjunction with one another can result in the biggest payoff. For example, hand out samples of your food or beverage via an inflatable kiosk then invite recipients to relax and enjoy their snack under your inflatable tent. As they do, representatives can engage them, hand out coupons for future purchases and perhaps get visitors to complete surveys while they unwind.

Any way you slice it, custom inflatables are a perfect match for event marketing. The creativity they display, the emotional connection they make and the enormous visual appeal they have pay off for you in more visitors wherever you exhibit.

Need creative ideas for your next marketing event?

Check out our gallery of custom inflatables.