You may not see it this way, but no matter what type of business you operate, you will have to sell. Whether you are selling your product, your service or simply your company's reputation, you have to be good at it to guarantee the long-term success of your enterprise. Here are some tips to help you sell your product or service using the resources at your disposal.

According to the Center for Exhibit Industry Research (CEIR), the majority of trade show attendees are decision makers or influencers that plan to make a purchase within the next 12 months. Don't waste an opportunity like that – follow these guidelines to help make sure your staff is ready to sell effectively.

Exhibiting at trade shows, expos, conventions, fairs, and other exhibitions gives you a unique sales opportunity that can also help you generate new leads, find suppliers, check out the competition, do some networking, and get publicity. In short, you can achieve at one trade show what it would take you weeks or months to do if you stayed home. And it may even save you money. Here's how to effectively plan for a trade show.