We’re currently in the Information Age – an era where information is shared among people almost at the speed of light. The internet has obviously played a central role in this, as more and more people are getting online.
Many small businesses now only market their business online because it is a powerful medium to market products and services, shelving the ever-reliable offline marketing methods of the past.
If this sounds like you, then it’s a mistake! Offline marketing is still a valuable way to promote your business. It is also made more significant if used hand in hand with online marketing.
Here are five offline marketing methods that still work today:
Offline marketing method 1: direct mailing
Offline direct mail comes in the form of flyers, brochures, letters and postcards. Mailing postcards are also cheaper than mailing letters and fliers, so make sure that make use of this method to maximise your capital. Websites like www.moo.com, and http://www.vistaprint.co.uk are among many that provide cheap and affordable flyers, postcards and brochures.
One avenue where you can focus your direct mails is the brick and mortar businesses – this is especially good if you run a local business, where you would want to make contacts in a particular area.
Offline marketing method 2: seminars, workshops and conferences
Conducting seminars, workshops and conferences can go a long way into making your business more visible, and at the same time, showcase your expertise on matters concerning your niche. If you are able to build a reputation in the industry you’re part of, word will spread, and this in turn will help make your product a household name.
And these days, you can also complement this with online seminars, workshops and conferences, thanks to web conferencing software. You can even have a Twitter conference, using a hashtag( e.g. ‘#businessmums’) and letting people know the time the conference starts so they can start following tweets that mention the hashtag, and join in on the conversation themselves.
3. Offline marketing method 3: print advertising
You can also advertise in newspapers and magazines. This type of offline marketing campaign can cost you some money, so you’ll have to tread carefully and make use of your budget wisely. The key here is to choose the right publications that will advertise your product – choose publications that distribute their papers at a high volume.
If it is local, choose a publication which distributes to an area that has a large population.
Visit www.mediauk.co.uk to see a list of UK newspapers and magazines that you can advertise in.
Don’t forget the telephone directories whiel you are there (Yellow Pages, BT Business Phonebook and Thomson Local), which now all have their own websites, too, of course!
Offline marketing method 4: charity events
Charity events are a great opportunity to showcase your product. As one of the sponsors, your brand’s logo can be displayed on all the event’s advertising materials. Make sure your website address is displayed as well.
Offline marketing method 5: you as a brand
Finally, you can use yourself as your own product’s advertisement, much like what a mascot does for a company. No – you don’t have to wear silly costumes. Wearing a t-shirt with your logo and the website’s address printed on it, as well as a car sticker with the same effect, should suffice. When you are your own advertisement, you can execute your offline marketing campaign on a more personal level.
