Ecobuild checklist from the construction PR professionals
It’s around this time of year that manufacturers in the construction industry begin to think about how they are going to let other businesses know that they will be attending Ecobuild (8-10 March).
This is the show to attend if you want to showcase what’s sustainable about your construction products and PR is the best way to spread the word. As a PR company that specialises in the construction sector and has attended and supported clients at Ecobuild for the past ten years, we know a thing or two about getting the most out of this exhibition.
The fact is that the show is attended by a large number of specifiers, housebuilders and influencers from public and private sector organisations.
With that in mind, here are our top FIVE tips for getting the most from Ecobuild:
- Starter for one
Sounds obvious, but it’s still definitely worth issuing a press release at least two months before Ecobuild. This should talk about your latest new products or services and sign post visitors to your stand – so don’t forget to include your stand number!
Make sure that your press release is uploaded to the official Ecobuild website and sent to the organisers press office. That will ensure you are included in the all the official guides.
- Tweet what’s happening on your stand – in real time!
This can start as soon as you book your stand and continue right through until the end of the show. Many companies find it useful to tweet from their stand as it is amazing how many people follow the #ecobuild hashtag while they are at the show.
We manage social media for our clients as it’s a great way to communicate with existing and potential customers. With events like Ecobuild, we are constantly tweeting updates about what is going to be on the stand, who is attending, tips for the best time to visit and any other snippets that are going to grab visitors’ attention.
Twitter isn’t the only platform that you can use, either. Our digital team really understand the building and construction sector and we can maximise interest through Facebook, Pinterest, RSS, YouTube and LinkedIn to keep you in front of visitors.
- Extend the hand of friendship
Make sure you invite editors on to your stand! These are the individuals that are going to write about your company before and after the show. The more they understand your product, the more likely they are to include you in the next relevant feature. Our construction PR team has contacts with all the editors in the sector and can make these visits run like clockwork.
- Talking heads
Often, shows like Ecobuild, look for knowledgeable presenters, so it’s definitely worth a PR agency like Dragonfly PR that has extensive contacts getting in touch with the organisers to find out if there are any speaking opportunities. Securing a speaking podium can open up many opportunities for your business because you are talking directly to specifiers and developers. Interestingly, Stephen Fry is a speaker that this year’s show – a great story to grab the headlines but, come on Ecobuild, let’s hear more from the people that know and understand our industry!
- Opportunity missed
And, finally, obvious that it may sound, make sure that you put an icon on the home page of your website letting people know that you will be at Ecobuild – and, again, include your stand number where it can easily be seen! Some don’t, and it’s a great opportunity missed when you consider that most construction sector companies have thousands of people visiting their website each month. If you need any help with your website, call our creative team on 01709 300130.
Here at Dragonfly PR, we know this industry inside-out. That’s because we specialise in the construction sector. Aside from that we have a digital team, which means we can offer an integrated, joined-up approach between PR and social media.
For more information on Dragonfly PR, call; 01709 300130 or email; john@dragonflypr.co.uk