Online marketing is key to your company’s success. But don’t forget offline! Offline marketing can boost your visibility and sales in unique ways as well. And when you connect your offline marketing to your online, your brand will do better in more areas. Here are six ways to promote your business offline.
Promote Your Business Offline with Direct Mail
Direct mail is still alive — and thriving! In 2017, it was shown to have a median ROI of 29%. To put that in perspective, social media was found to have a median ROI of 30%. Yep, direct mail is an old-school method that still works in this digital world.
And it’s likely not going anywhere for a while, since 65 percent of millennials pay attention to direct mail. And 54 percent of consumers actually want to receive mail about brands that interest them!
If you send a personalized piece of direct mail to your customers, it’s likely they’ll pay attention. Integrate this with a smart social campaign by referring your recipients to your social platforms, and you’re covering all your bases.
Business Cards
Business cards are still useful, even in this digital era. They build familiarity and brand recognition whenever you share them. Pin them to bulletin boards at businesses, include a business card when you send business letters, include business cards with your items, distribute them at trade shows, and more.
Be Active in Your Industry
In-person relationships are still a critical part of business. Join associations that make sense for your industry, and network with others.
In addition to networking, make it a priority to establish a reputation as a thought leader in your industry. This is an effective way to promote your business offline: submit articles to trade publications, speak at industry events, and organize or participate in a seminar.
Integrate these offline marketing efforts with your online efforts, by creating videos and writing blog posts in which you share your expertise.
Be Active in Your Community
Make sure people in your local community are familiar with your brand. An easy — and charitable — way to do this is to give away products for fundraisers or community contests.
You can also promote your business offline when you sponsor local teams, events, and organizations. Donate your services to a local cause. Join with other businesses to create cross-promotional opportunities where you can offer something to the community together.
Appear on Local Media
It may sound intimidating, but appearing on your local TV news show, radio show, or in your local paper can give you an offline marketing boost that can integrate seamlessly with your online marketing.
Media shows and publications always need new stories. Think of a local or timely slant where you could offer your business expertise. For example, if you own a beauty salon, you could appear on your local morning lifestyle show to offer tips on how to do kids’ hair at back-to-school time.
Be sure to give your online information — social media handles and website — to the show’s producer. You’ll gain both credibility and followers from the TV show’s audience.
But don’t stop there! The next step is to share these spotlights on your social media and online marketing platforms. This will provide more credibility to your current online audience.
Promotional Items
Whether it’s at a trade show, a joint business event, direct mail, or something else, promotional items can go a long way in making an impact on your customers.
A 2016 study by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI) found that most people keep a promotional item for just over seven months. What’s more, when they are done with the item, more than two-thirds of people give it away to someone else. That’s a lot of staying power for one item!
The right promotional item can make a huge impact on your target audience, as the recipients build a favorable impression of your company while keeping your branding right in front of them.
Integrate your promotional items into your digital marketing by including your social media and website information on the items. Make it easy for your customers to find you when they’re ready to buy.
If you need help with promotional items that make a difference to promoting your business offline, give us a call. We can help you find the right way to share your branding. Give us a call at (888) 441-1233, or contact us online for a free consultation.
