The Internet is a wonderful proving ground for testing new strategies for growing your online business, but you can also use offline marketing strategies to promote your business. When you run a business from a website, you are one among thousands. They all look the same unless something makes one stand out from the others, and this is where you distinguish your business.
Employing marketing strategies in the right combination takes time and patience. You can find a combination of online marketing tools to help you reach your market and keep visitors coming back. However, offline strategies are available to you as well and you can expand into that realm and find an untapped market for your products. Here are some things to try:
Offline Promotional Tools
* Direct mailing advertising – Add a promotional flyer to direct coupon mailing packets in your area. Use straight-to-the-point language and offer a coupon or coupon code for people to take advantage of a special offer.
* Trade shows – Rent a booth at a trade show. This is your small corner of the world to promote your business to other business people and the local market. Stock your table with business flyers, business cards, promotional items and sample products. Offer a contest prize giveaway to get people to sign up for free mailing lists or monthly newsletters.
* Seminars – As a business professional, you may have something important to say to others. Just as you give interviews and do webinars, create a plan to offer your services to local business fairs, college seminars and church or community workshops. Speak about your business and offer advice to other small business owners.
* Local business organizations – Join with local small business owners. Even if you have an online business, you are still a part of the community and have something to offer. Partner with other businesses to bring awareness of your product locally, using their client base. Of course you will also be lending your client base to help them venture into the online arena.
* Fundraisers – Contribute products to raise money for local companies. Be sure to place a business label on each product and also include business cards and a typed letter to the lucky winner about your products and how they can get more.
* Charity functions – Much like fundraisers, if you give money or your time to promote a charity event, your name can be included in the programs and on any other promotional items for the event, such as t-shirts and giveaway items.
Promoting your online business offline is a win-win situation. You bring awareness to a new market that can add substantial dollars to your bottom line.
