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I am launching a website and other than onIine marketing, what are other ways I can promote my business offline to get the word out.
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- Ryan Pollock
I find that direct mail is very successful in our line of work, the key being the followup phone call. Simply mailing a postcard or a letter isn't necessarily going to get you anywhere, but a followup phone call typically timed to the day they receive the mailer is a great way to get your foot in the door.
Another tool I use is Constant Contact. I know you're looking for offline ways to get your name out there, but being able to track who opens your email and when is a fantastic tool. Being able to cold call somebody while they are reading or have just read your email is a powerful move. "Oh really, you're reading my email right now? What a coincidence!"
It works
Eric - River Run Computers, Inc.
- Recommended by:
- Ryan Pollock
I have found that networking within my local community is very effective. I just joined a group that shares their business within the group and then gives everyone business cards and information. It is called "passing of referrals". We really don't hard sell to each other, just connect and pass things along. In addition, we have a guest speaker every meeting who shares their business in depth with the group.
I love this kind of networking because it is also a way to learn from others. If we all help each other, there would be enough business to go around, right?
See what you can find in your local area.
Also-try getting some speaking engagements at Rotary Clubs or Chamber of Commerce. If you like to speak, it's a great asset to grow your business!
Good luck to you!
It depends on the type of business but I usually like direct mail. You can purchase lists of people segregated to a specific criteria that matches your business.
Make sure in your mail piece you have several items:
1. An offer that potential customers would find worthwhile to check out.
2. Have a landing page to measure response
3. A guarantee
4. A claim (including supporting testimonials)
This is not a cheap method but does get the word out quickly and directly to a targeted market. As the commenter suggested above, PERLS are great if you can afford it. Also try repeating the mailing a few times.
Dear Jonathon
Design teaser pamphlets or the ones with home page, distribute them to the target audience.
The basic idea is to communicate your differentiation and benefits of using your website. More or less it depends on the type of business and amount you are ready to spend on advertising except online marketing.
Best Regards
Chamber of Commerce mixers/meetings, other networking opportunities. Make sure website is on ALL of your marketing materials, including flyers, business cards, brochures, media-kit, etc.
Make sure it is the signature line of your email, including any smartphone you may have..
There are many good books on Amazon on Marketing, and PR.
I don't know if it would directly answer your question, but a great book on outrageous marketing is Marketing Outrageously, by Jon Spoelstra- located here: http://tinyurl.com/l5okdg
You can run offline campaign such as wrap your vehicle with graphics displaying your business. Distribute flyers in your neighborhood (if local). Try to involve local resources (businesses, exchange your business image with other non-competing business owners). Offer free (not expensive) service with your new business.
you should have a plan with clear objectives where you would like your product/ service go , whom are the target audience ( type , age , specialty , interest , media that are using) and when you need to achieve your objectives.
Of course you can divide your plan into phases and test the results at the end of each phase and do changes and upgrades to the next phase.
I know that my words above are very generic but because I do not know the type of product /or service that you build your web for.
ayman.elhefnawi@boost-group.com
Chairman at Boost Middle East Group/ Boost International inc.
Try miniAds (pocket-sized flyers). They're great because they are portable...see http://www.gogoads.com/blog/?p=158
(Disclosure: I worked at GOGO Ads)
Prospecting for qualified clients/customers is most efficient on-line, unless you are a brick-and-mortar, local business. If your website converts, then you should invest a majority of your "web exposure" dollars in on-line target marketing....beyond the very competitive and expensive Adwords and typical SEO/SEM tools. Social media "crawler" technologies are the solution to finding those who are chatting, blogging, posting, and communicating about the very services or products you AND your competition are offering.
All the best to you,
Brad
I think there's one question (I guess no one talked about) that is essential: who are your targets? Obviously, what kind of services, value delivering about your website, core business usings and targets you want to get first ?
There are many ways to make some buzz, including offline, from most expensive to efficient "word of mouth", but before "ways", ask you "who" are your potential customers...then you could ask on "how" will I do to touch/attract them.
Don't 4get to put your company profile in the Free Web Directory as well.
Coz I also did it, Very good response!!
I believe that affliliating with complimentary business or co-branding as they use to say is a great way to market your business. They already have a client list. Together you can offer a unique product or position.
I thought I was missing the point there too. The question was for "Offline" marketing ideas. Now as I do not know what you are trying to sell it makes life a bit tricky but presentation/networking evenings alway go well with a few free drinks thrown in at a church hall or local pub assuming you have the correct people in your local area for starters. If you are after a worldwide audience then adverts in the press are costly but worth considering. Maybe you can issue a press release and get the advertising done for free!! Do you have a vehicle that is not signwritten? We find that for one of our businesses the best advertising we have is when the truck is parked at the side of the road with the website and phone numbers showing.
Every little helps,
Rex.
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Hello Jonathon
Your question is near and dear to the heart of marketing consultants everywhere.
But, before anyone can answer a question like this it would be nice to know what else is being tried, and how those tactics are working. It would be even more powerful to know what exactly, "getting the word out" really means.
What is your goal in getting the word out other than just getting the word out? Do you want those you tell to visit the site, or tell others? What is your “get the word out” message? What do you want them to do after their visit?
With that I’ll end the inquiry and offer some coaching. Get crystal clear on your "get the word out" outcome.
Step number one in strategic success: know your mission.
Once your mission is clear it's much easier to know how to spread the word, and I'm talking about everything from your advertising... to the way you answer the phone.
Unless you have a clearly defined mission you may be taking actions that won’t produce the expected return on your marketing investment.
For instance, there may be nothing more powerful for getting the word out than networking. However, many networkers approach their task without a clearly defined objective or a strategy to achieve it.
Yes, a lot of business cards may be collected and a lot hands may get shaken, but in too may cases, when the networking is over… those cards just sit there and sometimes end up in a drawer. Why does that ever happen?
This waste of such a valuable business asset can usually be traced back to no planned course of action past “just make the contact and see what happens."
You'll put more money in the bank if you take the time to clarify what you need to do and what you want your contacts to do at and after each stage of your marketing efforts. You might think of this preparation as success homework.
That's why following a simple marketing plan, even one that you write on a napkin, can make the difference in the most important part of "getting the word out" and that is... your bottom line.
Ike Krieger
ike@5for5video.com
http://www.5for5video.com