How to Advertise Your Business Offline
June 20, 2007 · Print This Article
Most business owners nowadays have gotten into the rut of only advertising their business online. As a result, many now miss a great opportunity to get the word out about their services and products – offline advertising.
These opportunities are only limited by imagination. In the real world, many traditional methods of advertising are being supplanted by new technology. While new tech is great, older, more traditional methods are still very effective. Here are some ideas to help advertise your business in the “real world.”
Business Cards: Still the backbone of advertising business, this may seem like a no-brainer. Surprisingly enough, many online businesses tend to overlook this very simple advertising tool. You don’t need anything very fancy, and printing places don’t cost a fortune either.
By using places like VistaPrint, you can get a fairly nice business card at a very inexpensive price. If you have no money, you can use this link to get 250 free business cards.
While not the best, it will get you started for about five bucks. Where do you leave your business cards? Try the local post office, grocery store bulletin boards, ask to leave a few in your favorite pizza parlor – if it’s a retail store, you can leave a business card.
One Page Fliers: Like the business card, you can make and print out fliers advertising your online business. Make the fliers 5.5 x 8.5 which is half of a regular size sheet of paper and have them cut at your local printer. You will then have twice the advertising for the same price. You don’t need fancy software either. Create it in your word processor and add a few graphics. Easy and quick.
Write A Press Release: A press release can be submitted to all your local magazines, newspapers and other regional publications. If you can’t write, hire someone for a reasonable price. Then use your press release to get as much free advertising as you can.
Join Local Chamber of Commerce: Although there is an annual fee, the chance to network and drum up business with one-on-one mingling is priceless. There are also various publications that go out to new members of the community including businesses and you can also get listed with all the business in the Chamber of Commerce.
Word of Mouth: Never underestimate this powerful form of communication especially for service-based businesses. Offer your customers a discount or special incentive when they refer others to your business.
Give more than one businesses card to your current clients and ask them to pass them on. If they are satisfied with your service, they will be happy to recommend you.
Direct Mail: An oldie but goodie, this form of advertising has been around for years. Why has it been a staple of advertising for so long? Because it works. Even in the technological world, a letter still commands attention. Check out direct mail and see if it is right for your business.
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