Having a trade show marketing budget is important, as without it you company may end up spending too much without realizing it and end up with very little in return. Even with a budget you may be spending too much, so here are a few tips you can use to help to trim your trade show marketing budget.

The first step is to keep track of any deadlines and discounts. By committing early to trade shows you can save on attendance costs instead of waiting until the last minute to commit. Also, if you are planning on shipping your booth and marketing materials to the venue ensure you send everything well in advance to save on shipping costs.

The size of your booth is another area where you can reduce costs. Don’t commit to a bigger booth unless you are absolutely sure that it will net results. Remember that a bigger booth doesn't just cost more in the cost of your display – it will also cost you more to attend the trade show and ship the booth to the venue. In many instances you are better served by spending more on the marketing program itself rather than enlarging your booth.

When you are looking at giveaways for trade show marketing, consider whether you will get a better response by giving a ton of cheap promotional items to everyone that comes by your booth, or by spending more to get a higher quality item that is only handed out to top prospects.

Finally, cut down on the cost of marketing materials. Instead of handing out high-gloss brochures to everyone that walks by, opt for a postcard or more economical marketing material to convey information about your business. Encourage a response by offering a coupon code or access to a custom product.

When the show is complete, ensure you review the results. No trade show marketing is worth it if it doesn't lead to more sales.