Content marketing is easy, cost-effective, and, with people spending more and more time on their phones, it’s possible to get your message in front of the audience at any time of the day or night. In a modern world like the one we live in, it may sound counterintuitive to combine online and offline marketing, but it’s one of the best things you can do. Benefits include better brand awareness, more credibility, and creating a “to be continued” campaign. Just think about it. Isn’t there something missing from your plan for world domination?
At present, content marketing strategy includes mostly online, but you shouldn’t ignore the offline channels. Print media, such as flyers, brochures, and catalogues have a far-reaching effect on the target audience. Put simply, you have the chance to connect to a broader customer base. The key to success is knowing what tactics work and will remain valuable in the future. Rather than putting one type of marketing on a pedestal, you’d better realize that it’s worth embracing both.
In what follows, we’ll present some offline marketing techniques that fit within your online content marketing strategy. Every industry is different, meaning that some tactics are more helpful than others.
Get Into Printed Publications
If you’re looking for a way to break the communication barrier between you and your prospects, bring your content strategy into print. Publications, alongside brochures and posters, stay in homes and offices for months at an end after they’ve been received. Plus, information that’s printed down is more credible. Magazines, journals, and local newspapers are hungry for content. You can purchase ads in these publications, but it would be best if you created an article or an op-ed instead. Include photographs, illustrations, and graphics.
Advertising on billboards and posters is another great idea. Materials, such as printed/painted/electronic displays are placed on outdoor billboards or panels or within facilities like shopping malls, retail stores, and so on. You can change the message at a frequency of your choice. The message is at the top of consumers’ minds and influences their decision to purchase. Keep in mind that offline marketing can be costly, and success is difficult to measure and track.
Take A Speaking Engagement
Speaking engagements put you in front of the crowd and speak your mind. Getting a speaking gig isn’t as hard as you’d might think it is. Reach out to local organizations and see if they’re looking for new voices. Attendees can learn more about your company’s expertise and ask questions, before or after the presentation. Don’t expect to be paid for your initial incursions. Adjust your expectations and understand that you can secure your firm’s future with this idea.
Get to know the people, trends, and events in your industry by keeping a close eye on hashtags. There are ongoing chats on Twitter and other social media sites. Don’t look for the biggest or splashiest events. You should focus your attention on events that bring people together – in other words, the most relevant audience. You can find speaking engagements at local corporations, universities, not to mention business and social groups. Cultivate a relationship with event organizers and program directors.
Send Out Seasonal Cards and Gifts
During the busy holiday season, make sure that your message gets into the customer’s hand. A card or gif will surely get opened during the day, so you can strengthen relationships. Send out cards and small gifts on special occasions and milestones to make your presence felt—surprise people with something thoughtful. For instance, you can use traditional ribbons when decorating gifts. If you want to reach out to Scottish customers, make a pretty flower to top off a parcel. Tartan ribbons are mainly available in 25 metre rolls, not to mention that they’re delivered in the nick of time.
Brand cards and gifts with your company logo. Not only does this show that your company is professional, but also it’s integral to any future success you have. Resist the temptation of making last-minute changes. You need to present your company in the best possible light. While you want to incentivise people to purchase your products/services, you don’t want to be too pushy. Carefully consider timing. Perhaps the holiday isn’t the best time to show gratitude. Showing appreciation when it’s least expected is a sure way to make a good impression.
Publish A Book
Finally, yet importantly, consider publishing a book. By writing a book, you can build a personal brand, establish your expertise, and build trust among prospective customers. Writing just one book will make you an expert. The best way to get started is to quit talking and start doing. The book isn’t going to write itself. Transform useful bits of information into a book. You can even promote it as an eBook. Concentrate on an important topic to your audience, include a product page somewhere in the book, and share photos of people reading your book.
The way people are reading books is slowly but surely changing. eBooks are the go-to option these days. Publishing an electronic book requires more effort as compared to launching a physical one. You can edit and re-edit on the go. What is more, the conclusions drawn from live feedback and updates allow you to rectify errors, which isn’t possible when you have a paperback version. Use the eBook at the heart of your marketing campaign. Take the most relevant chapters and craft blog posts, promotional emails, and videos, and podcasts.
Final Considerations
Online and offline marketing are the perfect match, so don’t waste any more time and combine your tactics. The digital world has become our primary obsession, so it’s understandable that businesses rely mostly on online marketing strategies. However, offline media still matters. There are long-standing opportunities to get your message in front of the target audience. When planning marketing tactics, make sure that your offline methods support your online efforts. Focus on the specifics of your target market if you want to generate more traffic and turn visitors into sales.