It’s easy, living in the future like we are, to forget that not all marketing has to be digital. In fact, your business will do much better if you use online, offline, digital and non-digital marketing methods when creating your campaigns.
Not sure where to start? Here are some suggestions.
Stand Out From The Crowd
If your business is brick and mortar (or has any kind of presence in the physical world), one of the best things you can do is make sure that you don’t just let your storefront (or front of office) blend in. with the rest of your building or its surroundings.
There are several ways to do this. Creative window displays are a popular choice when trying to set yourself apart from the crowd. Another common method businesses use is laying sandwich boards on the pavement. Often a sandwich board is made of a blackboard or chalkboard on which the business owner announces a sale, writes a funny quote, draws a picture, etc.
However, perhaps the best method is the one most often overlooked: the tent. Increasingly, companies are abandoning awnings in favor of decorative markings.
Don’t! And if your landlord won’t allow your business to put up your own permanent awning, get creative! A custom canopy The one you set above your door will do the same job and is sure to stand out from your rule-following neighbors.
Appears to Make a Difference
The great thing about digital, web-based and social media marketing is that it allows you to be there for your customers even when you are overwhelmed. It encourages conversation. Do you know what else drives the conversation? Appear at events.
When you’re just starting out, you probably went to dozens of networking events in an effort to build your community and make connections. Apply the same intelligence to your marketing efforts.
Don’t worry, we’re not going to suggest you attend any more of that painful mixer. However, we would recommend that you join your local chamber of commerce. Becoming a member of your local chamber of commerce gives your company (and you) some really great benefits – you can include your company in chamber communications, meet other local entrepreneurs, etc.
Another great idea is to appear at industry events. Get ready for table space at your next industry convention or conference. Contact the event organizer and make an offer running or participating in panels. Conventions and conferences are great learning and business building opportunities.
It’s also important to expand your efforts beyond your industry and market niche. Sponsoring local community service projects and taking part in local fundraising efforts (such as collecting donations for food banks, etc.) are great ways to spread the word about your business.
Support your local art scene and school.
Preserve Your Correspondence
Direct mail has been a standard of marketing ever since mail was invented. You may have run several direct mail campaigns already. We will not talk about them here. Instead, we’re going to talk about good old-fashioned letter writing.
Have you noticed the recent explosion in The popularity of Tiny Letters? This is because people love receiving letters, even if it’s not specifically addressed to them. This also applies to your customers.
Sending your customers birthday cards, holiday cards, quick “thinking of you” notes will remind them to keep patronizing your business. It also helps endear them to you and will make them more likely to choose your products and services over those offered by your competitors.
These are just three ways that non-pixel forms of marketing can help your business grow. Have you ever getting creative with your offline marketing methods? Which trials were most successful?
Share your tips with the whole class!
