We live in a digital world, and any budding entrepreneur who ignores this fact is bound for failure. This doesn’t mean, however, that offline marketing is a lost cause. In fact, some research shows that this type of marketing can boost your online campaigns by as much as 40 percent. With that in mind, you should always have these offline marketing tips in the back of your head.
Realize that Print Isn’t Dead
Sure, there are far more emails sent than letters each day. Like… far more. This doesn’t mean that printed mediums are dead. Whether it’s business cards, direct mail or even newspaper ads, printed material is still an effective way to market offline. Keep in mind, though, that not all of these strategies will work for every demographic or in every locale. Find what works and go with it, but always have a business card on hand.
Get Exposure in the Community
A newspaper ad might get you noticed by a few people, but sponsoring the local little league team will garner the attention of hundreds – if not more. You should take active measures to involve your business in the community. This could be anything from donating to charity to holding a back-to-school drive. While this may not seem like marketing, the fact is that people love philanthropic companies. Getting involved in your community will certainly attract new clients.
Visit Trade Shows
When it comes to local businesses, the owners either swear by trade shows or ignore them entirely. The fact is that these industry events can really get your product or service out there, and you can even make sales while onsite. Your specific offering might not perform well at a trade show, and if this is the case, you’ll know they’re either not right for you or your pitch needs tweaking. Either way, trade shows are an offline marketing technique worth taking a shot at.
Regardless of how prominent the digital world becomes, offline marketing is likely here to stay. Fortunately, these techniques can supplement what your online marketing pros are doing. In the end, the two combine for a great promotional strategy.