At the showstore like most other online stores you have numerous roll up banner stands such as the Genie or Alpha available that fundamentally do the same thing, so which one is best for you?

Drum roll please……..introducing a FREE guide to banner stands that runs through the differences between stands and the things you should be looking out for before you buy. We understand through experience how confusing it can be for clients so we have compiled a handy little guide which we think will help people along the way. I have included an excerpt from the guide as a little taster…….

Why do so many products look the same?

Yes that’s right I know, I know…yes they all look the same!

We have gone to huge lengths to try and get across the differences between banner stands at www.theshowstore.co.uk because fundamentally a banner stand is a banner stand is a banner stand. I know that isn’t what you expected to hear but we’re not in the business of hard selling to you.

The only real difference between each kind of banner stand other than whether they are tension, roller or cassette is their size and what the base of the stand looks like, how it looks from the side or back in 99% of cases from the front other than at floor level they look the same!

So if isn’t important to you, go for the cheapest and if it is important to you go for the most stylish it’s just like choosing between a moped and a Harley it’s your choice.

If you are interested in receiving the FREE guide then please use the sign up boxes to the right of this post and a copy will be emailed to you immediately.

Lightboxes are proven to be an extremely effective advertising tool, particularly in window features and store outlets. They are also utilised in floorstanding media strategies and wall mounted display campaigns. Research has shown that lightboxes and illuminated point of sale features used in a store environment can drastically increase revenue. The attention catching mixture of colour and light often is the effective collaboration that will attract prospective consumers to your items, services or details.

There are a huge range of illuminated signage displays to select from like backlit or edge lit, front loading or slide in, internal or external, standard poster size or bespoke, aluminium or acrylic, ultra slim or standard widths, wall fitted or freestanding and lastly curved or flat.

Illuminated displays and light boxes can also be quite useful in areas just like airports, train stations, night clubs, pubs, bars, coffee shops, banks, places to eat, show rooms, supermarkets, cinemas, media channels, ferries, office buildings, industry events and exhibitions. All light boxes is usually supplied with printed back lit films using your design on them. You must make sure your light boxes illuminate your graphic image with the most even light distribution feasible, bringing your images to life and creating powerful appealing displays. Changing the artwork in these great items is quick and easy to do, making them perfect for use in shops.

Freestanding light towers and illuminated pillars are one of the ideal platforms to make your graphics, branding, logos and marketing stand out. A dual sided illuminated light tower will ensure that your message is never overlooked. Extra options may be incorporated into your light box to improve your exhibit. These range from shelving units and literature racks or brochure holders.

Full details on all of our Lightboxes are available on our Show Store Site, please click the link – Lightboxes

The idea of freebies are that when the potential customer has gone home he will look/use your gift regularly so when they need your product they automatically think to call you instead of your competitors. So what you give them is important, you don’t want them binning it or shoving it to the back of the draw.

Ok, back to my article………..

A survey has been carried out and a new Top 10 has been revealed and I thought I would share it with you.

1. Sweat Shirts
2. Drawstring Backpacks
3. Pocket Calculator
4. Clocks
5. Computer Accessories
6. Umbrella
7. Flashlights
8. Packaged Candy
9. Lip Balm
10. Coffee Mugs

Controversially the good old pen has been missed off this list….I have read many reports which say the pen is the  “king” freebie as it is cheap to mass produce and people always need a pen! Make your own mind up on this one.

One item that is a new comer and is fast becoming the numero uno item to give away is hand sanitiser – since the outbreak of swine flu some genius came up with idea to add company details to the bottles and it is taking the freebie market by storm.

Moral of the story – think before you exhibit, give something away that people will use and remember you by!

I have in the past had a client (who will remain nameless) take 3 sets of graphics with him to a show and each day had a swap around to test which concept worked the best with potential clients. As he pointed out it worked out much cheaper buying the extra sets of pop up stand graphics than paying to attend 2 more exhibitions to test his theory – good point well made!!

Most people though have a change of logo, or the images are looking tired and out dated or they want to promote a different product………these guys can just replace the graphic easily and save money!

When looking around for people to replace the graphic make sure they are able to do so.  Sounds daft but some companies will only produce a graphic for the systems they have in stock. Also if you are looking to replace a graphic on a banner stand my advice is to send the whole unit back and get them to do it for you. Most banner stands work on a tension basis and if you don’t do it properly then you can get into all sorts of bother.

The Showstore, although always offered the service, have put a new catergory on their on-line store for replacement graphics.  They will produce graphics for any type of stand (pop up stand, pop up banner stand, roll up banner stand etc), whether they stock it or not. You must be aware though if it is a stand they don’t normally stock there may be a small extra charge if they need to source special materials in order to complete the job (this will be in a minority of cases!!).

Click the link to view their prices – Replacement Graphics.

Lots of customers tend to order a transit case to store and obviously transport their pop-up stands but never know they can convert them to a handy lectern. I know when I have exhibited that the transit case can be a bulky item to have to cart around and aren’t the easiest thing to hide. There are usually two ways of converting the case, the least popular is a wrap and the most is a wooden top plus wrap.

Most companies will supply a fabric wrap in a choice of colours which usually allows you to velcro posters, logos etc to it if required. The best and most professional wrap is the printed one – this allows you to have images/patterns to compliment your graphics on your stand. Each is easy to use, they simply velcro to the case in the provided grooves and if you use a the wooden top they attach to the base of this.

The converted case is substantial and is ideal to use to display items or best of all to use as a reception area. I have in the past used it to house my laptop and leaflets.

To view our transit case conversion kits please click the link – keep an eye out in the specials as I will be adding in conversions for Ultima cases.

Please note that each conversion is specific for the case and manufacturer so not all cases allow for conversion – so check before ordering.

The ShowPRO Club is opening it’s doors again soon with some additional new places and you can get yourself to the front of the queue by jumping on the early bird list here -  ShowPRO Club

Just in case you didn’t already know and have been hiding under a rock some where – The ShowPRO Club is designed for serious marketers and businesses who want to get the absolute most from their outside advertising events, trade shows, conferences and even in their retail stores and external signage.

The ShowPRO Club is a unique and a one of a kind club, combining super solutions, amazing privilages, healthy discounts and even has the ability to make extra money by becoming a reseller of  both Show Store and specially selected ShowPRO products.

Members simply sign up to a monthly membership to be part of an exclusive club, which includes exciting benefits and features like -

• Large Discounts for products in The Show Store
• Private Members Store
• Priority service & delivery as standard
• Payment Plans on larger purchases
• Free Delivery Service
• Ability to resell our products and/or use across multiple businesses
• Free Hardware Hire
• TestMyMarketing design and print facility
• Discounted Design Service
• Discounted Print Service
• Discounted Promotional Product Service

There are 3 levels of membership available – silver, gold and platinum – just remember there are limited places and they’ll sell out fast! In fact with our original launch in January 2009 all 50 places went in less than 48 hours and this time we’re only going to be releasing another 25 spaces!

What’s more there is no long term contract and as standard we offer a 30 day money back guarantee – so if you join and you’re not happy we’ll give you your money back in full and with no questions asked… not that you won’t like it of course!

The monthly membership cost is low and the benefits and savings are huge!

It’s the perfect place to get a jump on your competition and beat the recession blues. So do yourself a favour, to find out more details and to get yourself on the early bird list first go here – ShowPRO Club

Give your business a massive lift with this unique marketing club.