Offline Marketing Tips to Draw in Business

You might think the Internet is the best place to conduct a marketing campaign, and while it can be a worthwhile investment, everyone is doing it. In marketing, if everyone is doing it that means that to stand out, you shouldn't be doing it.

Nowadays, no one is using print greeting cards; they're sending e-cards. People aren't using postcard marketing techniques; they're posting information on forums. This means people's mailboxes are empty! This is the perfect time to take advantage of some offline marketing techniques.

Offline marketing can be cost-effective as well as just plain effective; use these tips to get back to offline marketing while everyone else is online!

1. Use your local media.
Believe it or not, your local media are probably just waiting for you to call them with a great story idea! Many times, local newspapers, television stations and magazines are looking for stories to fill up their pages or fill up their broadcast time. Take advantage of it - it's free! Free advertising does exist in the form of news stories!

If you are a new business, suggest a business profile be written in the local magazine or newspaper. Prepare for the interview by jotting down what points you want to make. You should talk about your products or services and what gap you'll be filling in the community or the reasons why readers should choose you over the competition.

2. Write articles for free.
Again, use your local media. Offer to write an article for your local newspaper or magazine about your industry or about running a business. Don't charge for the article; just ask for a byline, which is another name for a credit. You could even ask to write a weekly column where readers send you business-related questions and you answer them in the column. Generally at the bottom of the column you can add a blurb about yourself or your business. This will help establish your image as an expert in your field and your community.

3. Be a sponsor.
Get involved in the community by sponsoring a Little League team, a bowling team, or any kind of team. You can hand out some postcard printing pieces at the games, or leave them at the concession stand. Who says a postcard marketing campaign has to be through the mail? And, you'll have little kids running around the community with your logo or business name on their backs! When parents are talking about which team their kids are on, they have to mention your business name - another marketing technique (word-of-mouth) right there!

4. Gather testimonials.
Ask any customers that have complimented your business or service if they'd be willing to write a testimonial. Even if you aren't in the writing stage, it's good to always have multiple testimonials that you can rotate so that people don't see the same ones over and over again. Testimonials will help you earn trust from potential customers. Plus, you can use them in almost all your marketing materials: postcard printing pieces, brochures, flyers, even your greeting card printing pieces!

5. Create an offer that your competitors can't give.
This could be as simple as giving away a free sample of your product. If you have a service business, like a cleaning business, you could offer a first hour free deal with a purchase of one hour of cleaning.

6. Ask for referrals.
Offer existing customers something for free or a big discount if they refer someone new to your business. Print greeting cards to let customers know you care and let them know you appreciate their business. Then let them know how much you'll appreciate any business they can refer by offering them something that will motivate them to tell their friends about you! Greeting card printing can make a person feel like you really care and they'll want to do something in return!

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