〽️ FabTech Part 3. Beyond the Booth

Skip the In Person Introduction

This is probably my biggest piece of advice in this entire guide.

Don't introduce yourself at FabTech.

I know...

That sounds completely backwards.

Of course you should introduce yourself.

But what I mean is this...

Don't let your first introduction happen on the show floor.

If there's a company you've admired for years...

If there's a manufacturer you'd eventually like to work with...

If there's a brand you'd love to review products for...

If there's a company you hope might sponsor you one day...

Don't wait until FabTech.

Start today.

Follow them.

Comment on their posts.

Share their content when it makes sense.

Tag them when you're using their products.

Send them a message introducing yourself.

Nothing complicated.

Something as simple as:

"Hi! My name is Jonny. I'm a welder and content creator from Pennsylvania. I just wanted to introduce myself because I'll be attending FabTech this year. Looking forward to stopping by your booth and finally meeting everyone in person."

That's it.

No asking for sponsorships.

No asking for free products.

No asking for anything.

Just introducing yourself.

Now imagine this...

Three months later...

You walk into their booth.

"Hey! I'm Jonny."

Instead of...

"Hi... who are you?"

They respond...

"Oh yeah! We've been following your welding projects! Glad you stopped by!"

That completely changes the conversation.

The friction is gone.

Now you're picking up where the relationship already started.

Use Their Products Before You Ask To Represent Them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This one sounds obvious…. But it isn't.

One of the fastest ways to tell whether someone actually supports a company is to look at their content.

Are they using the products?

Talking about them?

Teaching with them?

Showing real projects?

Or...

Did they suddenly become the world's biggest fan the week before FabTech?

Companies notice.

Social media managers notice.

Customers notice.

If you truly want to work with a company...

Start by becoming a customer.

That doesn't mean you need to spend thousands of dollars.

Maybe it's a welding marker.

A pair of gloves. A torch. A welding cup. A grinder. A shirt.

Something…. Anything.

Use it…. Learn it.

Share your honest experience.

If you already love the product, your content will feel genuine because it is genuine.

If you don't...

That's okay too.

At least you'll know before trying to build a relationship.

Help Their Social Media Team

Here's something most people never think about.

Every company has a marketing department. (Or at least someone responsible for social media.)

Those people need content. Every. Single. Day.

Product photos… Customer projects… Videos… Testimonials.

Real people using their equipment.

You can help them!!

Let's say you're welding with one of their machines.

Take a nice photo - Shoot a short video - Tag them.

Maybe write a sentence or two about why you enjoy using it.

That's useful.

Maybe they repost it.

Maybe they don't.

Either way...

You've now demonstrated something very important.

You create content.

You use their products.

You understand social media.

That combination gets noticed over time.

Don't Chase Sponsors

Build Relationships!

This is worth repeating.

Build Relationships!

I see people chase sponsorships.

I'd rather see people chase friendships.

Because friendships turn into opportunities.

Opportunities sometimes turn into sponsorships.

The reverse rarely works.

Companies don't usually sponsor strangers.

They sponsor people they know… People they trust.

People they've watched for months or years.

Your goal shouldn't be to leave FabTech sponsored.

Your goal should be to leave with stronger relationships than when you arrived.

Wear Your Brand

If you own a business... Wear it.

This doesn't mean dressing like a walking billboard.

It means representing yourself professionally.

A clean shirt. A hat. A hoodie. A logo.

Your business name…..

You'd be surprised how many conversations begin because someone recognizes your logo.

Maybe they saw one of your videos.

Maybe they follow your page.

Maybe they've heard your business name before.

Brand recognition works exactly like that.

Every time someone sees your name...

It becomes a little more familiar.

That's marketing.

Stickers Beat Business Cards

This is probably going to be controversial.

Business cards are still useful.

Absolutely bring them.

But if I had to choose one promotional item...

I'd choose stickers every time.

People love stickers.

They put them on toolboxes.

Welding hoods.

Water bottles.

Laptops.

Shop cabinets.

Work benches.

That means your logo continues getting seen long after FabTech ends.

Business cards often get filed away.

Stickers get displayed.

Bring more than you think you'll need.

Trust me.

Every Photo Tells A Story

Take the selfie.

Seriously…. I know it feels awkward sometimes..

I know it sometimes feels cheesy.

Take it anyway!!

Not because you need another picture.

Because that picture tells a story.

It shows your audience you're actually there.

You're meeting people.

Learning.

Connecting.

Growing.

And don't underestimate the power of collaboration posts.

If you're standing with someone you've admired...

Ask for a quick picture.

Tag each other.

Those simple interactions often become some of your highest performing content because they're authentic.

Walk The Show Floor With A Purpose

One mistake I see every year...

People wander.

There's nothing wrong with exploring.

But don't spend all day randomly walking.

Before you arrive...

Make a list.

Companies you absolutely want to visit.

Products you want to see.

People you hope to meet.

Educational demonstrations.

Booths you don't want to miss.

Then leave room for surprises.

Some of my favorite discoveries have come from booths I wasn't planning to stop at.

Have a plan.

But don't be afraid to change it.

Learn More Than You Buy

One of the biggest advantages of FabTech is the ability to compare products side by side.

Even if you're not buying this year.

Learn.

Try the machine.

Ask questions.

Watch demonstrations.

Talk to engineers.

Talk to sales reps.

Talk to people using the equipment.

Maybe you don't need that plasma cutter today.

Maybe six months from now...

Your shop grows.

Now you already know exactly where to start.

Knowledge has a funny way of paying dividends later.

Represent Yourself Well

Whether you're standing in a booth...

Eating lunch...

Waiting in line for coffee...

Or walking through the hotel lobby...

Remember something.

You're representing your business.

People notice.

Not because they're judging you.

Because they're deciding whether they'd enjoy working with you.

Smile.

Shake hands.

Listen more than you talk.

Be respectful.

Treat everyone the same.

Those little things build a reputation that lasts far longer than FabTech itself…..

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