What is Offline Marketing, and What Can it Do to Help Boost Your Business?
Offline marketing is exactly as it sounds. It’s any form of marketing that’s not online. From leaflets to radio ads and everything in between. Online and offline marketing might differ in their approach, but when properly used, they can complement each other and form an integrated strategy. Offline marketing can boost the visibility of your brand, make your product or service details into your customers’ hands and, of course, boost sales. In any method, your objectives might differ, so take these into consideration when deciding which method of offline marketing you would like to pursue.
Offline Tracking Data
If you’re familiar with online marketing campaigns, the tracking data is right at your fingertips. It’s easy to believe that offline tracking is impossible, would you think? There are a variety of ways you can monitor the success of your marketing campaign and make sure you are getting a decent return on investment.
Surveys. Make a simple questionnaire asking customers about your company, its pros and cons, and what you’re doing well on. This helps get feedback from your customers to see what areas you are exceeding in and the areas that need improvement.
Discount coupons. If you’re offering discounts, you should use a distinct code. You can keep track of sales using the code, and you will have analytics.
After and before. The most effective method is to determine the data before and after once your campaign has been completed. If it’s a website you’re looking to track, then select an appropriate timeframe and then check how much traffic you’ve seen increase over that period of time. It’s the same for sales. It’s not the most precise method of measuring the effectiveness of your campaign however it can give you a rough idea.
These are only some examples of how to evaluate the effectiveness of an offline campaign, but there are many other ways to measure the effectiveness of an offline marketing campaign.
Ideas for Offline Marketing
There are many different types of offline media you can pick according to your objectives and the target market, some might be more suitable for you in comparison to others. Let’s say that your goal is to simply increase awareness of your brand in your community. A billboard advertisement might be the perfect solution for you. Perhaps you’re launching an innovative toothpaste? Distribution of a sample and leaflets could be the best option. This puts your brand new toothpaste into the hands of those you would like to target. Maybe you’re setting up the foundation of a new branch of an estate agent in a different location. Perhaps you’d like to promote local radio stations or have the event of an open-day? These are all examples of offline marketing.
Leaflets & Flyers
This is likely to be the first thing you imagine when you think of offline marketing, right? There’s a good reason behind that. It’s been around for many years and still functions. What’s the old saying “if it’s not broken don’t repair it”. Leafleting is a cheap way to connect with your clients. It can also be more specific than you think. It is possible to place them in magazines that are relevant such as an issue of a cooking magazine, like to promote your cupcake business. If you want to distribute them in a targeted manner you can narrow it down to a specific area or demographics or other criteria. Flyers or leaflets are an excellent opportunity to put your message directly into the hands of prospective customers. Contrary to online ads where users are able to scroll around in a haze leaflet is designed to be addressed and may cause customers to pay attention. The length of a leaflet’s life span is seven days while the lifespan of social media posts which last for seconds.
Brochures or Magazines
Magazines or brochures are a fantastic method to promote the services or products you offer. They are not limited to just a few pages, meaning you can make any announcement you like. Many people expect businesses to have brochures. They are a major time-saver. Instead of a salesperson talking for hours until they can’t speak, an attractive, captivating brochure can be the selling point. Brochures can be extremely effective when utilized in the right way. Similar to leaflets, it is possible to target them, and there are many creative methods to make sure they are always in hand. For example, a magnet can be placed on the back of the brochure to adhere to the fridge so that it’s always in the right place. Brochures do not necessarily have to sell things, they can be beautiful like books for jewelers.
Schedule A Special Event
Events are an excellent opportunity to connect with your customers face-to-face. Customers will be able to see the faces who run the business and can put faces to their names. Events can be big gatherings where you impart how to save money, and then inform them about your business. Or, smaller exhibits with smaller displays which allow you to meet with people who are interested in the field that you’re involved in. Events are great for getting people interested in your company. Psst do not forget to provide handouts.
Editorial Pieces
Editorial pieces are great when you have a huge story to share with the world. They range in size from massive articles that appear on the front cover to shorter articles. The reach could be vast and broad or even smaller local newspapers and magazines. Editorial articles don’t have to be printed media. They could also be a news item on an radio station.
Sponsor a Team or Event
If you’re looking to build branding in your local area by sponsoring a local sport event or team can be a fantastic way to get your name noticed. There are many teams that have sliding scales. For instance, you can sponsor their kit and have your name in the kit of the team every time a match is played. Or if you’re looking to get your feet wet, you will be featured on the game’s program or in an announcement about the match. Combine this with a client visiting the stadium you’ve hired a box, and you’ll be sure to impress them.
Everything in Between
The possibilities are endless. it is possible to go on on about an infinite number of ways to promote your business offline such as billboards, point of sale such as business cards, sales and the list could go on and on. If you’ve got a project in your mind but aren’t sure which direction to take, contact us and The Pros can help.
