When looking at online media, it is easy to imagine that the offline world no longer exists. We’re all just bits of data moving around… not real people. But, of course, that’s not true.
With the constant buzz that online marketing gets, it is easy to overlook the powerful potential of offline marketing in all its various guises. Offline marketing has the power to deliver leads and ultimately new customers in ways that the online world just hasn’t caught on to yet. The sheer variety of ways that businesses can connect up with other companies or consumers, is almost endless. Don’t count out that personal touch too; online can be extremely impersonal at times and people do like human interaction.
Here we’ll highlight a few ideas for how to market your business successfully in the offline world.
1. Local Advertising
Local advertising can have a powerful effect on generating initial leads by people responding to your adverts. Your business should have a solid grasp on the needs of local consumers or businesses (depending on whether your business is B2B and deals mainly with consumers directly). This way the offer and how it is presented can be properly tailored to get the attention of the type of new customers your business is looking to attract. Offline advertising can include ads taken out in local newspapers, handing out leaflets or flyers. You can greatly enhance branding with direct mail. Furthermore, regardless of if the uptake from this mailing campaign is high, getting your name out as a community focused brand puts your company name in good standing with those who still prefer their business to be local and in person.
2. Get in Front of the Microphone
Just like Sir Richard Branson had to start out performing stunts which created huge attention for his Virgin brand in the form of free advertising, getting in front of the microphone is a great idea. Radio Guest List is a podcast and radio booking service. This is useful for being booked on shows that reach international markets. Alternatively, reaching out to the PR department of local radio stations is a good idea. Be sure to develop a story with some spin that the DJ can hook into to make your company’s segment interesting.
3. Get a Stand at an Exhibition
There are few better ways to interact with the local industry, people who work in the industry and interested potential buyers, plus existing clients, than being present in a related exhibition. When presenting at an exhibition it is vital that your business is presented in a professional, eye-catching manner. Doing this in-house doesn’t make any sense. Outsource it to a company like Finesse Exhibitions at finesse-exhibitions.co.uk who have 25 years’ experience.
4. Be the Sponsor
Get attention in the area by sponsoring some local events. This really puts your brand out there to local people and adds the human face on the brand too. Sports contests and other events are a great place to add some local funding to help the community, look good while doing it, and place your logo prominently throughout.
5. Press Releases
Press releases don’t need to be accepted and acted upon by the big news outlets. For small businesses, getting the attention of the local press can be just the ticket. And there are also companies that will distribute press releases for you.
There is plenty of life left in the offline marketing world. Get creative and see what other ideas you can come up with on your own.
