Promoting Your Business Offline

Promoting Your Business Offline

Offline promotion for your Internet business is important. Use traditional marketing channels and media. Incorporate your Website URL (web address), phone number, and mailing address into all of your printed and promotional materials. This increases your penetration into your targeted market, as well as the general population.

Business Cards

These are one of the most effective marketing tools. Business cards act as mini billboards that reflect your business image. Extra business cards in your wallet, purse, or briefcase increase your chances to spread the news about your business.

Distribute business cards to happy prospects, place your business card in classified sections of publications such as newspapers and magazines, employ the help of your family by giving them business cards to pass out to their friends and business associates, pass cards out at parties, and exchange business cards with friends. When you are at an appointment, leave your business cards at an office, beauty salon, etc. Tack your business cards on bulletin boards at schools, in your local grocery stores, health clubs, libraries, and community bulletin boards. When you send mail, enclose business cards, even in your bills! :-)

Think creatively! I went into a bookstore the other day and was browsing through the section on network marketing and ways to make money online. Almost every book had a business card placed somewhere in the pages. This is a great example of targeting your market and thinking a little 'outside the box'.

Flyers

Flyers offer an inexpensive way to jumpstart your marketing efforts with a small or nonexistent budget. A well-designed, business flyer is equivalent to your target market perusing a full-page ad. A simple and to-the-point business flyer catches your prospective customer's eye within the first few seconds! Aggressively distribute your flyers on car windshields, under doors, on counters, bulletin boards and light poles. Get youth groups to distribute door to door for you or exchange flyers with other businesses.

Print Ads

Ads in daily newspapers can become very costly. Small, cheaper ads in Sunday issues can increase marketing productivity. Contact media and public relations departments of media you are interested in advertising with and ask for a rate card.

Broadcast Advertising

Broadcast Advertising with radio is an inexpensive way to target specific age groups and lifestyles. Local Cable television is also a low-cost alternative that gives you access to a wide audience; rates are similar to radio advertising.

Brochures

Brochures and other printed materials are high-impact ways to increase your company's exposure. Use printing companies that offer professional quality at lower prices.

Postcards

Postcards are a cheap and effective way for prospective consumers to get your marketing message without even opening an envelope.

Besides the above, there are still lots of ways for you to promote your business, such as letterhead, calendars, bumper stickers, magnetic signs, direct mail, even t-shirts !

by Anne Ahira

Promote your business everywhere, team! And Never Give Up! :-)