Can you remember the last time you didn’t use the internet for an entire day? It was probably sometime in the early 2000s. It goes without saying that you use the internet for just about everything. Want to go out to eat? Check out what Yelp says about certain restaurants. Need to buy a new TV? You can just order one from Amazon. Need some entertainment after a long day at the office? Switch on Netflix and see what’s available.
While all of these personal uses are fantastic, the internet’s importance carries more than its weight in the business world. Businesses set up the cloud, have remote workers spread all across the globe, and are able to track customer progress by their online activity.
15 years ago, most websites couldn’t personally tailor themselves to a customer’s experience. Now? Cookies and tracking codes help a website who a customer is, what they bought last time, and what items they may be interested in this time. Notifications pop up with deals offering 10% on a product that they are likely to buy.
For this reason, many people have slowly turned away from offline marketing. Is there any real value to it? Does offline marketing still work? It’s harder to track and could simply be a wasted venture.
We’re here to tell you that you should still be investing time and money in your offline marketing tactics. Below, we outline some of the best offline marketing techniques.
Business Cards
Just like a little black dress, business cards may never go out of style. They’re easy to hand out and can be placed just about anywhere.
Even if you’re a business that operates completely online, it’s a great idea to print off and carry business cards around with you. You can include your website or even a QR code on your card to lead people to your business. It also always helps to put a website together with a face.
Direct Mailing
What’s the point of direct mail if you can just email everything? The truth is that direct mail has been proven to be more effective than email marketing campaigns.
Think about it, emails are easy to open and delete. With a piece of mail, the consumer has to at least take a look at what they have. People are being more and more flooded with emails while receiving less mail. Your business is more likely to be noticed with physical mail.
Conferences and Workshops
What better way to expand your business than to be taking it to them personally? Attend a business conference or trade show for your chance to connect with other businesses and form new contacts. Pass out items with your business name to give people a souvenir.
Host a workshop by yourself or with other small businesses. It’s a great way to be active in the community. Speaking of the community.
Community Engagement
For small and local businesses, becoming an active member of the community is a fantastic way to support others and have them support you. Donate to local charities, cross-promote with other small businesses, and be aware of community events.
The more you’re active, the more people are likely to recognize you and support your business. People love supporting small or local businesses!
Signage
First impressions are important and your signage and logo could be the first impression that many people have of your business. You might be surprised to learn that around 75% of consumers will enter a business because they thought their signage looked interesting.
Investing in great signage is a must for any business. You don’t want to have old, messy, or outdated signage as the face of your store so make sure you are “dressing” your best to attract any and all customers.
Talk to Your Customers
Talking and listening to your customers is the best way to improve your business. While people may not always respond to online surveys, they’re more likely to respond to in-person questions or simply give their opinion without you asking.
It’s always great to listen to what your customers are saying. They are, after all, the lifeblood of your business and will help you grow and improve it over time. Make sure and listen to what they’re saying and see how you can keep offering your current service or improve it.