If you are a new business owner and are looking for some marketing tips, you can be forgiven for thinking that your best options are online.
However, despite the enormous amount of press and editorial space that is given to online marketing, offline can be a lot more efficient.
Your best strategy should involve the right mix of online work, of course. But, here are seven ideas worth considering.
The value of print
First of all, people put a far greater value on print materials that they can touch than a web page. Think about all the direct mail you get coming through your door.
Sure, a lot of it is irrelevant and goes straight into your recycling. But, every now and again, there
will be an offer that catches your eye or a reminder that you need a particular product.
You are more likely to remember it, too. Almost three-quarters of people feel that direct mail offers are more trustworthy than online offers.
The longevity of printed materials
The average person keeps direct mail in their homes for up to 45 days. Every one of those days offers an opportunity to make a sale – just from a single look.
Now, think about all the effort you need to put in to get people to visit your website.
SEO, PPC ads, content creation – and you still might only get a single visit for your troubles. There are opportunities with printed marketing materials that you don’t get with online marketing.
Try it and see how it goes. It’s cost-efficient, too.
People share
Sharing is important in the online and offline worlds, of course. But, the value of sharing offline is often more than the value of social share online.
Let’s imagine that you are in a store while out shopping.
You see a flyer with a discount on a product that you don’t use, but you know your grandmother does. You will pick it up and give it to her.
More than one in five printed promotions are shared, and this will often result in more purchases. That is far more valuable to your business than someone clicking a share button on your Facebook posts.
You can choose your targets
Offline marketing doesn’t just mean flooding people’s mailboxes with print materials, of course. You can target a specific audience just as well as you can with online marketing. Take trade exhibitions, for example.
You pay an entry fee and grab a stand from a company such as infinityexhibits.com. Once you arrive, you will be face-on with hundreds or thousands of people who all have a natural inclination to buy or find out about your product. You can create your own events, too – which can amplify your online marketing efforts.
You get to open up the discussion
Online marketing – despite the hype – is limited in its ability to create discussion.
Sure, you can engage some of your audience, but it is hard to sell a product or service when you are talking on social media or web chat. Talking to people offline, however, gives you an opportunity to put a face to your name.
You can resolve any problems in your customer’s mind right there and then.
Offer coupons
Paper coupons are still a reliable way of driving sales. People will often keep them for another time, as well.
Sure, you can offer digital ones too – but the physical ones just have more value to consumers.
In summary, offline marketing might seem like an outdated concept in the Internet age. But it can be highly effective and cost-efficient.
You should combine it with your existing online activities to really turbocharge your marketing efforts. Don’t let the offline opportunity pass you by! The ROI can be well worth it in the long run.
Cross-promotion
Cross-promotion with other brands is another way to leverage the value of print marketing. By teaming up with complementary businesses, you gain access to an even wider range of potential customers. Just make sure that you are offering a value proposition for each party involved – so you all benefit from the collaboration.
It’s a great way to get your products and services out there without having to spend a fortune. Plus, it’s an ideal way to introduce yourself to customers. You can build relationships with other businesses that you otherwise wouldn’t have access to. Who knows – those relationships could lead to something even bigger.
Final thought
Offline marketing is just as important and effective today as it was before the Internet age. The key is to use both online and offline marketing in combination, so you can reap the benefits of both worlds.
Just monitor your results closely to make sure that you are getting a good return on investment for the efforts you put in. With the right strategy and execution, you can significantly grow your business with offline marketing.
Good luck!
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