* Develop a PowerPoint presentation to display on your table (if an electrical outlet is within reach of your booth). You can make it on your desktop computer and transfer it to a laptop, which you can rent or borrow if you don’t already have one. Your visitors will find this visually appealing and will draw in their attention.

* Have a portfolio of your work available. Print off some of your best projects, put them into plastic sheet protectors, and arrange them in a binder. Then lay out binder where visitors can flip through pages.

* Have plenty of giveaways, such as business cards, brochures, pens, magnets, and anything else that has your company name and/or logo on it. Most people who attend trade shows are expecting to take home some goodies. And, be sure to use display racks for showing your flyers, specials, brochures, and such.

* Offer something a little different… FOOD. I displayed at Bridges to Better Business trade show in Brampton and included a basket of Girl Guide cookies on my table. They were a big hit… I wish I had brought more. If you can, package your food in a way that will allow you to have your company contact info on it.

* Offer Gift Certificates for some of your services. There’s nothing better than getting a deal and, when they ‘cash in’ their certificate, they will see how valuable your services are and will come back for more.

* Have a draw for a prize. Offer a prize that, in some way, compliments your business if possible, and appeals to anyone. Have visitors and entrants sign a guestbook, fill in a ticket, or drop their business cards into a fish bowl or gift bag. You can then use this information at a later date to make a follow up contact.

* If show will be on for an extended length of time, be sure to have assistance in manning your booth so you can take a break. If you don’t have option of having someone take over for a bit, be sure to put up a note that tells people how long you will be gone or when you will be back.

Most importantly, be friendly and inviting. Say hi to those that turn and look toward you or your booth. Strike up a conversation and be sure to have a short introductory speech ready. And…have fun!

These memory nuggets consist of anecdotes, facts, statistics, stories, or something unlikely, unusual, controversial, shocking, funny, humorous, romantic, poignant, emotionally moving, or dramatic.

6. Make sure you're blurbable. By definition, a blurb is a very short advertisement or statement about a topic, product or idea. For example, many book jackets have blurbs about book, or what people have said about book. The average sound bite on television is 10 seconds, so it takes some intensive practice to say something meaningful about your book or topic in such a short period of time. Practice with a timer until you can speak your message in 10 to 20 seconds. 7. Get booked on local shows first. Even before you consider approaching Oprah with your idea, get practice on your local news and talk shows. This will give you a chance to fine-tune your sound bites so you won't be shocked by speed of national television. Many people don't realize that Oprah Show isn't a platform for their subject. When you're on show as a guest you'll typically have a total of one to seven minutes to communicate your entire message-in 10 to 20-second increments. Once you have a good feel for rhythm of television, you'll feel more relaxed and ready.

8. Wow producers with brevity. Remember, moment you open your mouth you are auditioning. Keep your list of talking points by phone when you call a producer (or a producer calls you) so you'll be succinct. You will already have rehearsed them so that they sound natural and inviting. Make sure all your points are targeted exactly to angle you're proposing-making you (and your product or book) irresistible on air.

Smile! You're on Oprah Now that you know what it takes to pitch an idea to Oprah, you need to know what to do when you actually appear on show.

1. Connect with your eyes. It is very important to maintain eye contact with Winfrey 100 percent of time when she addresses you. This means while you're talking and while you're listening. Audiences believe that you're sincere and knowledgeable if you keep consistent, soft eye contact.

2. Create a "Top Five" list. Help your audience remember you by developing a "Top Five" list to be projected on-screen so all your key points will be illustrated visually as you discuss them. This is also a secret way to keep Winfrey on track. Once she's stated that you'll cover five points, she has to help move you through all of them or her audience will feel cheated. Making this list guarantees you more airtime.

At request of producers speaker and author Victoria Moran, who wrote Lit From Within (HarperSanFrancisco) created a quiz for a show on vanity with questions like, "Are you constantly comparing your appearance to other women's? Does way you look in morning determine your mood for day?" After Winfrey got her guests to answer, she asked Moran to comment. She got five chances to speak-totaling one minute and 33 seconds.

3. Bring visual props. Visual props add liveliness and helps your viewers remember your points, which indirectly translates into buying your product or book. Let producers know how you plan to use your prop(s) ahead of time. During show you also need to direct cameraman to your object by pointing to it or holding it up to cue them for a close-up. 4. Introduce yourself with a stellar sound bite. On television your very first utterance sets tone for all information you plan to deliver. Say something that instantly brings focus to your most important message that ties into your book.

With dedicated practice, channeling your passion, enthusiasm, and knowledge about your subject will come across to your audience, and people will naturally want to know more about you, your products and your services.