Offline Branding for Small Business in the Digital Era – Is it Worth it?

With the rise of the Internet, everything changes – from pop culture expansion, basic information circulation and effective knowledge implementation, to business promotion/advancement – everyone seems to be living online. With such a dependency on the online world, the logical question imposed is: do we still know how to live and succeed offline?

It seems that we do. It is somewhat consoling that, despite the consistent rise in online media, we can still rely on good old print and WOM marketing when we’re looking to promote and expand our businesses and target our intended audience.

From press releases, newspaper ads and open-end presentations, to word of mouth marketing and cold calls – things aren’t as bad (without the Internet) as we perceive them to be.

Send Snail Mail

Nope, snail mail has nothing to do with the pop-ups you get on your computer each time you log onto your email account; snail mail are the physical offers you receive through your mailman or in your mailbox. Even though online emailing is way more effective, you’d be surprised how many people still prefer physical offers.

If you decide to go with snail mailing, you’ll definitely stand out among your email-only competitors and bring something fresh to your campaigning method. Send product samples, new product updates, newsletters or anything you think/feel would get your business going. With such a personalized approach to marketing you’ll definitely be remembered.

Revamp Your Packaging or Presentation

No matter what they say, looks matter – both online and offline. One of the sure ways to grab your audience’s attention is to invest in your branding and store design. The design itself will speak volumes of your approach to business, and this is your perfect opportunity to beat the competition. Say, you own a coffee shop; your servings are better than your competitors’ but there’s nothing special about your shop’s design. Why would anyone enter?

Invest in your shop design by hiring experts who’ll use their vision to transform your business and give it a unique and special vibe. With a phenomenal shop design, you’ll quickly become the it WOM persona! Online, what? Nah, you won’t even need a page on the Internet to have a line outside the door.

Design change, even the slightest one, may contribute to a big change in your income increase and it goes for any type of business.

Sponsor a Community Event

Sponsoring an event is a phenomenal way to spread your name far and wide.

You can team up with a non-profit to host a fundraiser or, if the budget allows it, plan, fund and host the event yourself. The best way is to link yourself to a campaign that can’t end up linked to a negative cause or contest. For instance, throw a Breast Cancer Support event, invest in benefits for the disabled, organize events for kids without families, etc. Not only will you actually be investing in noble causes, you’ll be remembered and appreciated for doing so.

To ensure you’ll stay remembered, give out discount cards, branded goods, coupons and pamphlets. This builds a positive, respectable brand image, and – people love getting presents! You can treat them to Amazing Wristbands products, rings or necklaces with your logo, coffee mugs, key chains, USB sticks or anything that you find fit.

Participate in Trade Shows

Trade shows are your perfect opportunity to check out the competition; by being under the same roof, you can carefully check out their marketing materials and study their pitch, and make sure they don’t outdo you later. Naturally, trade shows are also amazing opportunities to market your company and platform your product, so go for it! After you gain a pack of admirers, the next step would be to organize a presentation that will wow everyone present.

Celebrate Successes

People love partying, so hosting one will definitely get you noticed. Organize a business gathering that’ll get all the interested parties in the same room and treat them to an amazing time. Celebrate your firm’s birthday, a big client, an expansion, etc. Reach out to the local press to spread the word and even invite them to take note of the atmosphere.

Getting ahead without using the Internet is pretty difficult, but it isn’t impossible. These tips above range widely in cost and effort, but they are sure can mix up your marketing efforts and positively impact your bottom line!

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Nate Vickery

Editor-in-Chief at bizzmarkblog.com

Nate M. Vickery is a business consultant from Sydney, Australia. He has a degree in marketing and almost a decade of experience in company management through latest technology trends. Nate is the Editor-in-Chief at bizzmarkblog.com