Businesses of all sizes are investing millions in social media marketing. It’s not hard to see why – it’s an easy, affordable way to get your product or service to the whole world. But social media marketing takes up so much time, one must not neglect an important and potentially very lucrative customer group: your local community.
This isn’t mean that you should ditch your social media strategy entirely, of course. The best case scenario is one where online and offline sales work seamlessly together. Interact with your customers online, but put effort into networking and face to face interaction. Give out calling cards, t-shirts, screen printed wristbands. Give presentations and talks. Whatever technology brings us next, it’s always worth remembering your clients and customers about the living, breathing human beings behind the brand.
From business cards to screen printed wristbands, here are some ways you can reconnect with your customers and investors offline.
1. Flyers and business cards
Even if a quick search could help people to find your business in seconds, it’s still worth keeping flyers and business cards in your marketing toolkit (and, for that matter, in your pocket). Marketing gurus still recommend taking the time to put up your flyers in the pin board of your local coffee shop, or the window of your grocery store. You can also leave business cards on tables at coffee shops and bars, or ask to display them in your local library. There’s always a chance that this could act as a conversation starter with a potential new lead, too.
2. Wearable branding
Social media isn’t the only way to make your brand visible on a limited budget. These days, it’s easy to order wearable items in bulk – such as screen printed wristbands, t-shirts, or baseball caps – and wear them when you’re out and about. You can give them to colleagues, friends and family, who can act as your billboards and talk your work up to anyone who takes an interest. You can also distribute them in prize draws, at market stalls, at networking events, at relevant talks, or as part of any kind of street promotion. Everyone loves free stuff!
Be sure to put work into making these items look polished and professional. The advantage of screen printed wristbands over other kinds of silicone bracelet, for example, is that they give a unique opportunity to clearly display your branding as it appears on your website or print material. First impressions count, and well-executed logos, headers and layouts will give you an edge over more amateur-looking efforts.
This isn’t mean that you should ditch your social media strategy entirely, of course. The best case scenario is one where online and offline sales work seamlessly together. Interact with your customers online, but put effort into networking and face to face interaction. Give out calling cards, t-shirts, screen printed wristbands. Give presentations and talks. Whatever technology brings us next, it’s always worth remembering your clients and customers about the living, breathing human beings behind the brand.
From business cards to screen printed wristbands, here are some ways you can reconnect with your customers and investors offline.
1. Flyers and business cards
Even if a quick search could help people to find your business in seconds, it’s still worth keeping flyers and business cards in your marketing toolkit (and, for that matter, in your pocket). Marketing gurus still recommend taking the time to put up your flyers in the pin board of your local coffee shop, or the window of your grocery store. You can also leave business cards on tables at coffee shops and bars, or ask to display them in your local library. There’s always a chance that this could act as a conversation starter with a potential new lead, too.
2. Wearable branding
Social media isn’t the only way to make your brand visible on a limited budget. These days, it’s easy to order wearable items in bulk – such as screen printed wristbands, t-shirts, or baseball caps – and wear them when you’re out and about. You can give them to colleagues, friends and family, who can act as your billboards and talk your work up to anyone who takes an interest. You can also distribute them in prize draws, at market stalls, at networking events, at relevant talks, or as part of any kind of street promotion. Everyone loves free stuff!
Be sure to put work into making these items look polished and professional. The advantage of screen printed wristbands over other kinds of silicone bracelet, for example, is that they give a unique opportunity to clearly display your branding as it appears on your website or print material. First impressions count, and well-executed logos, headers and layouts will give you an edge over more amateur-looking efforts.
3. Showing up
Is a relevant trade show, conference, convention, or other large-scale networking event happening in your local area? Your nearest city? Your state? Go along, or send a representative. This will link you not only to potential clients, but also to potential collaborators who can help to boost your credibility and your profile. Take along your business cards, key rings, screen printed wristbands, or other portable branded items that can serve as a reminder of any discussions you’ve had with interested parties you’ve met along the way.
4. Using print media
If you’ve got money left over in your marketing budget that you’re not sure how to use, consider investing in advertising space in local news publications or trade publications. Have your employees contribute articles, and boost your profile by sharing knowledge within your industry. Sponsoring trade fairs and charity events is also a great way to draw attention through print media, as well as giving something back to the community that’s been helping your business to grow.
There you have it – four easy ways you can give your business a new lease of life by some older, more traditional means.
Is a relevant trade show, conference, convention, or other large-scale networking event happening in your local area? Your nearest city? Your state? Go along, or send a representative. This will link you not only to potential clients, but also to potential collaborators who can help to boost your credibility and your profile. Take along your business cards, key rings, screen printed wristbands, or other portable branded items that can serve as a reminder of any discussions you’ve had with interested parties you’ve met along the way.
4. Using print media
If you’ve got money left over in your marketing budget that you’re not sure how to use, consider investing in advertising space in local news publications or trade publications. Have your employees contribute articles, and boost your profile by sharing knowledge within your industry. Sponsoring trade fairs and charity events is also a great way to draw attention through print media, as well as giving something back to the community that’s been helping your business to grow.
There you have it – four easy ways you can give your business a new lease of life by some older, more traditional means.