Offline Marketing

**devx** · 08-12-2008 04:27 AM

Hi guys,
I am doing a research on offline marketing. I am interested to find out if offline marketing is part of your marketing plan. If it is, what methods do you employ?

**MSwengel77** · 08-23-2008 11:55 AM

I don't use it. Perhaps someday I could...

**CLoughie** · 08-23-2008 02:35 PM

Sure, we advertise in magazines and also sponsor events with banners etc.

**Joshua Jones** · 08-23-2008 03:24 PM

Absolutely, virtually every business should be incorporating this in their marketing repertoire.

I employ word of mouth tactics via targeted networking, event sponsorship and general day to day interaction with people. Lastly, and still quite effective when used in conjunction with online initiative is the targeted mailer, which I've just began using recently with variable printing. Lastly, trade shows, which could be piled into targeted networking (I don't recommend you get a booth unless you can transact on site, btw).

Why do all of that face to face and mailing, you may ask? Simple, all of those offline initiatives direct contacts to my online initiatives, thus bringing them into my sales funnel.

Along that vein, you can get a lot of visitors to your sites with online initiatives, but if they don't actually submit their information, you've lost em; whereas, you can easily follow up with contacts you've made face to face and redirect them back into your online initiatives, get commitment level and even ask for referrals. It's like magic

I hope that helps a bit with your research, be well and keep us posted!

**ColinRuss** · 08-23-2008 04:46 PM

I am planning on focusing primarily upon offline marketing to help my business take off.
Thanks for the info Joshua, interesting...

**newcash101** · 08-24-2008 03:44 PM

Yes I am currently using postcard and car sign marketing. Both are doing very well

**usakos** · 08-24-2008 04:23 PM

Have taken out full page display ads, and also half page ads, in different newspapers, also TV and radio spots, and this coming week, The Wall Street Journal will run a half page color ad.

See a copy of one of the newspaper ads at this link, look below the page; http://ohiojobfair.org/production/do...e_20080821.pdf.

Today, Sunday, there are two newspapers that ran the display half page ad. Sundays' papers are bigger and readership is high. And thus got thousands of registered users.

**n/a** · 08-26-2008 01:32 PM

edited by myself.

**remipub** · 08-28-2008 01:53 AM

I have used direct mail at various times with varying results. Some campaigns worked remarkably well, others not at all.

But I will always use it as part of the marketing mix. The most effective plans utilize a mix of mediums. Think of the famous Napolean three pronged war attack - hit your potential clients from different angles to ensure "defeat" (where defeat in this case is conversion).

**devx** · 09-01-2008 02:56 AM

Hi guys,
Thank you for the interesting info, it has really been helpful. Pls keep'em coming as I believe other members might also find it useful.

I came across this interesting info (not sure where)

"Offline marketing is most effective when used in conjunction with online marketing"

Joshua,
I have been really busy lately, but I am hoping to get it done ASAP.

Colin,
If u don't mind sharing, what methods are you going to employ?

Originally Posted by ColinRuss

I am planning on focusing primarily upon offline marketing to help my business take off.
Thanks for the info Joshua, interesting...

**yakapo563** · 09-01-2008 12:14 PM

Offline marketing is a good way to go. That is something I want to do. I just need to find the target list of people looking to find a home-base business. Does anyone know where to find lists like that??

Joe

**teenbizcoach** · 09-02-2008 11:24 PM

Yes, offline marketing is very important to your overall business strategy. I think that is why many people struggle in the online marketing space because they have not learned to leverage their online marketing campaign to help them in the offline world. Traditional media and good old fashioned networking is still very much alive. Some strategies that I use:

-running a small yellow pages ad
-volunteering at industry specific events and tradeshows as an organizer
-public speaking and workshops (paid and free)
-writing freelance for local newspapers
-networking events (specific to your niche or business)
-serving on the advisory board or board of directors for non profit interests and causes you feel strongly about
-word of mouth
-mailing thank you cards
-clipping success stories that I find inspirational from local business journals and newspapers and mailing it with a warm intro and congrats card to the company that was featured

**i-ventures** · 09-24-2008 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by Joshua Jones

Absolutely, virtually every business should be incorporating this in their marketing repertoire.

I employ word of mouth tactics via targeted networking, event sponsorship and general day to day interaction with people. Lastly, and still quite effective when used in conjunction with online initiative is the targeted mailer, which I've just began using recently with variable printing. Lastly, trade shows, which could be piled into targeted networking (I don't recommend you get a booth unless you can transact on site, btw).

Why do all of that face to face and mailing, you may ask? Simple, all of those offline initiatives direct contacts to my online initiatives, thus bringing them into my sales funnel.

Along that vein, you can get a lot of visitors to your sites with online initiatives, but if they don't actually submit their information, you've lost em; whereas, you can easily follow up with contacts you've made face to face and redirect them back into your online initiatives, get commitment level and even ask for referrals. It's like magic

I hope that helps a bit with your research, be well and keep us posted!

Word-of-Mouth Marketing: Offer Incentives for More Referrals

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Use your creativity to develop an incentive program that will reward referrals. People like to give referrals and they LOVE to be recognized for giving referrals. And, incentives are one of the most powerful methods of generating more of them.

Incentives can range from gift certificates to purchase discounts to cash payment based on business generated.

The wonderful thing about an incentive program is that it feeds into people's innate desire to help each other. It is rewarding to know an effort has been successful. Be sure to let your contact know when a referral he or she has made comes through.

I've found a gift certificate to be much more memorable than a cash incentive. The reason is simple - these kind of rewards make people feel special. Finding the right incentive can be a challenge, but it's worth it. You will score big by really building your word-of-mouth business.

You'll be amazed at how the action of showing appreciation can generate good will and additional referrals. Once a person gives a referral, they become much more likely to continue to refer people your way. As soon as someone sends you a referral, immediately send them a thank-you gift. A card or quick phone call is the bare minimum.

On the flip side, if a person refers someone to you but gets no recognition or appreciation, he or she probably won't say anything to you. But, the person is likely to make a comment to a co-worker, friend, or spouse: "Can you believe I didn't even get a thank you!!!" And...no more referrals from that source.

ACTION ITEM: Consider your current referral program. How are you generating referrals? What could you do to create a Referral Incentive Program for your business? Developing a referral program now will save you a lot of time later. By encouraging a steady stream of word-of-mouth advertising, you will find you are getting more pre-qualified leads - a groups that is much more likely to make a purchase