offline marketing

Offline Marketing

Regardless of your online business, there may be results to be seen from offline marketing. If you have a service-based business, like web design, or a product-based business, like direct sales or an etsy shop, you are going to run into people on a regular basis that could benefit from your business. This is why it is imperative to have on hand some marketing materials at all times.

When I first started my Virtual Assistant business, everyone wanted to know what in the world I was doing at home. I tried to explain in the “virtual” terms I use on a daily basis only to be met with a deer in the headlights look. So, I would hand them a business card and later they would visit my website and it would finally click. If I didn’t have those business cards, and just rambled off my website, chances are they would forget. A business card gives them a little reminder to find out more.

And don’t be stingy. Instead of giving them one business card, give them a couple. When they talk about you in their own conversations, they will be able to pass along your card to another interested party. Give a handful to your spouse, your mom, your best friend. They are proud of what you do. Don’t miss out on their free publicity.

I have been getting my marketing materials from VistaPrint for several years. Even before I was a VA, I used them for business cards for a couple direct sales businesses I was a consultant for. They have high quality products and I have never had any issues. They also have hundreds of designs available that fit any industry. VistaPrint is also very inexpensive. If you are ordering marketing materials one at a time (business cards this time, postcards next time), you are most likely only going to be paying a few dollars for shipping as they always have specials giving you the actual product for free.

Invest a couple of dollars into your business or blog today by getting those business cards ordered from VistaPrint. Then start talking to others about what you do and drop those cards everywhere. You never know where your next client or customer will come from. By giving them a little reminder, you will be sure not to miss them.

Marketing for YOUR Business

Many new online business owners are under the impression that since they have an online business, they need to focus strictly on marketing online. This couldn’t be further from the truth. When it comes to marketing your business there are many different means available. Not every avenue is going to bring the same results for every business. What works, or doesn’t, is going to vary based upon who your target market is.

I will give you two very different ends of the spectrum, as these are businesses that I have and am familiar with the day-to-day marketing of. For my blog, my marketing is strictly online. My readers come from forums, email signatures, twitter, facebook and blogging groups. While my family reads my blog, most of my Return on Invest isn’t coming from offline marketing. I know bloggers that do have business cards, but I can’t speak for them as to what that method brings in for readers.

Opposite end of the spectrum is my Virtual Assistant business. My Virtual Assistant clients have come primarily from networking. This has been both online and offline networking. I talk about what I do when people I know ask. I have my little elevator speech when I am introduced to a new entrepreneur. I have yet to land a client through facebook or twitter, though I hear it on occasion does happen. I still use those methods, but it is not where I focus a majority of my time because I know it doesn’t bring the best returns.

I know some business owners in direct sales that stick solely to offline marketing. They network, send direct mailers, usually a monthly newsletter, but their primary return comes from getting out there and talking to people about what they do and what they offer.

What means work best for you is going to depend on your business and your target market. Feel free to try them all, but if something is not working focus your time, energy and money on those methods that bring the results. Don’t keep trying to squeeze blood out of turnip.

What crazy situation has landed you a new client or customer?