Millions of people use the internet each day. It is a wonderful proving ground for testing new strategies for growing your online business.
But, have you thought about using offline marketing strategies to promote your business?
When you run a business from a website, you are one among thousands.
It is just like walking down a street and seeing many business marquees. They all look the same unless something makes one stand out from the others.
This is where you have the opportunity to distinguish your business.
Employing marketing strategies in the right combination takes time and patience.
You can easily find a combination of online marketing tools to help you reach your market and keep them coming back.
But, just in case you didn’t know there are quite a few offline strategies that are available to you as too.
And contrary to what you may think, they are not just for offline businesses either!
If you keep an open mind, you can expand into that realm and find an untapped market for your products.
Here are six things to help get you started:
Offline Marketing Strategy # 1: Fundraisers
Contribute products to raise money for local companies.
Be sure to place a business label on each product and also include business cards and a typed letter to the lucky winner about your products and how they can get more.
Offline Marketing Strategy # 2: Charity Functions
Much like fundraisers, if you give money or your time to promote a charity event, your name can be included in the programs and on any other promotional items for the event like t-shirts and giveaway items.
Offline Marketing Strategy # 3: Business Shows
Renting a booth at a business show gives you a small corner of the world to promote your business to other business people and the local market.
Stock your table with business flyers, business cards, promotional items and sample products.
Offer a contest prize giveaway to get people to sign up for free mailing lists or monthly newsletters.
Offline Marketing Strategy # 4: Seminars
As a business professional, you may have something important to say to others.
Just like you give interviews and do webinars, create a plan to offer your services to local business fairs, college seminars and church or community workshops.
Speak about your business and offer advice to other small business owners. Don’t forget the business cards.
Offline Marketing Strategy # 5: Direct Mailing Advertising
This is where marketing really all began!
Add a promotional flyer to direct coupon mailing packets in your area.
Use straight-to-the-point language and offer a coupon or coupon code for people to take advantage of a special offer.
Offline Marketing Strategy # 6: Local Business Organizations
Join with other local small business owners. It doesn’t matter that you have an online business, you are still a part of the community and have something to offer.
Partner with other businesses to bring awareness of your product locally, using their client base.
Of course you will also be lending your client base to help them venture in the online arena too.
Promoting your online business offline can be a win-win situation.
You bring awareness to a new market that can add substantial dollars to your bottom line.
What are some of the ways that you’ve marketed your website offline?
Have an awesome day!
Pam Lawhorne
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Pam, it’s important to remember we have millions of years of history before the invention of the internet. Flyer marketing is the mother of all marketing, and not so different to online methods. Flyers can be targeted to a particular geographic area, industry, interest group, etc. just like search engine marketing and PPC.
I agree Leisa! It’s a great way for both online and offline businesses to get even MORE business!
Thanks for pointing that out again! I think people need to hear that one twice! ;o)
Pam
Pam,
This article blessed me so much. This post reminded me of this video that I’ve been watching over and over from TED with Simon Sinek’s take on the difference between great leaders and everyone else.
The only way we can really stand out is not by our tactics and strategies, they help, but the way to stand out is for us to walk in our authentic purpose and live our lives and communicate from the inside out … from that central passion to fulfill that purpose.
Definitely passing your awesome article on.
Sincerely,
Donna Johnson
Co-Founder of WAHMs WIN
Donna -
Thank you so much for the kind words! I truly appreciate them and I’m glad to hear that this information was helpful to you!
And I agree – I do what I LOVE to do and I hope that it continues to show!
Pam
Many small business owners do not realize they can have the best of both worlds. If you combined offline marketing with online marketing, the results can be quite impressive. Traditional marketing still work especially direct mail. The six tips above are great.
Thanks so much Jerry!
Some people forget that you can still be just as creative when marketing your business offline as you do online.
I advise my clients to do a combination of both because you never want to put all of your eggs in one basket!
Thanks so much for the great feedback!
Pam
Pam, this is indeed useful for all the people who are involved in marketing and website promoting. You have pointed out things which are neglected by most of us and after reading the article is so clear how important they are. Thanks a lot
You are welcome! I work with a lot of small businesses and I have to constantly remind them of the importance of taking their marketing campaign offline too! I’m glad you found the information helpful as well!
Pam
Hi Pam,
I need to know, how I can advertise my newly built website?
It is similar to alibaba.com. How do I create a buzz so that businesses will register on my website.
Hi Sheldone!
A little more complex then a simple reply. Please contact me if you’d like to schedule a consultation.
Pam
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