4 Offline Marketing Tactics For Online Businesses

Run an offline business? If so, are you embracing the many opportunities in the offline world, as well as digital? Marketing has existed as long as people have been selling things. And the techniques that have developed over the years are still highly effective. It makes sense, then, for online companies to mix it up a little and engage with the real world every once in awhile. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Create your own events
Marketing is all about getting out there and in front of people, no matter what you are selling. So, think about creating your own events. It could be a training session that you offer your local business community. Or it could be a regular business meetup that you organize, and that you advertise to other local companies that complement your firm. Your next client could turn up at one of these meetings, and it’s conceivable that you will end up getting more work from them.
Attend a trade show
What more could a business ask for than a room full of people who are all interested in their industry? That’s exactly what you get at a trade show, so make sure you are up to speed with all of the events going on in your local area – and beyond. Fix yourself up with some quality trade show displays, get your game face on, and work that room as hard as you possibly can. If you can draw up a list of as many names as possible, you will have a handy email list you can use to follow up and make more sales.
Always carry a business card
It can be tempting to think that because you are a digital company, you don’t need offline marketing materials. Well, apologies to burst your bubble, but you still do. And, the most effective tool is, without a doubt, the business card. You should always carry dozens of them, and hand them out whenever you have the opportunity. A chance meeting on a night out might not be the best time to arrange a demo of your product. But hand over a business card and, if the other party is impressed, they might make a call when they wake up in the morning.
Make a radio ad
A lot of new media evangelists talk about the effectiveness of digital advertising. So, when they talk, it’s easy to forget that there is a great platform that everybody still uses. It’s called the radio. And, radio ads are one of the best ways to get your message out there – especially if you are targeting local markets. They are cheap to make and to get a spot – when compared to TV ads. When you compare their effectiveness with online platforms like banners ads or Adwords, there's no contest.
So there you have it – four old school marketing tactics that still work, and in many cases are more effective than a digital campaign. So is it time to seek offline assistance for you online business? Well, you tell me – let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.