Affiliate reps and trade shows
 

Are they worth it?
I see some very good reps at shows talking about and showcasing their programs.
However I also see a bunch of drunks that may pass out the odd bizz card and that is about it.
They seem to only spend time buying drinks for themselves and there friends.
I have talked to many account reps and never had them even mention their programs at all.
I used to travel in the mainstream world and when I did you had to come back with contacts and a debriefing of what you accomplished.
In other words justify the expense.
I see some programs where it is the owners that travel to the events and take the time to network and sell themselves and their company.
Anyone have any insight into this stuff.
I don?t want to make this a pissing match about certain reps just a general question. :upsidedow

I make contacts when I go, collect biz cards and follow up upon return, but yes, having a few drinks is part of it too

The party animals definitely do less business than the more serious minded reps.

just networking is good for any rep and drinks are part of the networking process

There are some people, reps and program owners, that should not be allowed in public in general. But never under estimate the impact of a face to face meeting and conversation, especially if you have your act together.

Some people are great at talking business. Others are great at buying drinks and making people feel comfortable. The best type of rep can be both.

It's making your audience feel confident with your product by the means you best know how.

That's well put. To me, that is a serious business minded rep by definition.

The first thing I ask someone at a show is. "what can I do for you? And what can you do for me?" I then hand them a card, and extend a hand waiting for theirs. :winkwink: I like to drink too, but not so much that I forget who I talked to. Social lubricant is good. Besides most of the sponsored events tend to have watered down drinks in my experience hehe.

I'm going to back out of this thread and quit smiling....

I find that some reps will even seem vaguely perturbed when I suggest I could send them traffic or something, after I've been hanging out with them and they've been buying me drinks or dinner or whatever.

Reps come & go, and a lot of them seem to find jobs in time for a free trip to a show.

I deal with owners only.

I have a strong preference for meeting the decision makers. I'll deal with affiliate reps after I meet the owners and on a daily basis for ongoing stuff, but I do want to meet the owner(s) first nowadays.
WG

Some good point,
I did not mean to say reps should not have a few pints with the rest of us, that is a big part of the biz.
It just seems to me some companies would not be pleased if they knew where some of there promotion money goes.
Like I said I guess there are good and bad just like any other biz.

Probably because they were more interested in trying to get into your pants than doing actual business. Business wasn't likely the first thing on their mind and were thrown for a loop (or back to reality) when you brought it up. :2 cents:

But Amelia is seckzay :pimp

haha very good point

without stroking me, what do you think of the way I do things at shows?
I never actually talk business, I build relationships/friendships.
Once they are built, you don't needf to sell someone, you just need to ask.

This business isn't as profetional as others are ... it all depends who you are working for and if you're a good employe.

true true good post

That is not necessarily true.

Living proof writing this.

:2 cents:

Who wouldn't prefer to deal with owners or decision makers???

Those dudes HIRE reps so all of US aren't constantly bothering them. It's part of the game, if you want that business badly enough you have to go through the reps.

It's like hazing.

hmm interesting.... one thing I HATE about any sales rep is someone that straight up refuses to do anything for you (buying you a drink doesn't count but is a good step)!

Since you asked . . . I know you actually have the authority to make deals, but you approach the shows a lot like an affiliate rep. You wear a super cute outfit, you make totally charming conversation, you get huge props for actually choosing a restaurant I would eat at on purpose myself if it were not a show, but, when it comes down to it, it doesn't appear to be possible to transact any business.

I find a lot of people just assume that having cleavage means I'm a rep, rather than the owner.

I banned myself from going to shows for bad behavior.