What is Offline Marketing?
Offline marketing is also known as traditional marketing. This marketing system has been in existence way before the arrival of the internet and is still being effectively used by big and small companies who are willing to maintain their position in the market. Offline marketing is a marketing strategy that involves creating brand awareness through traditional marketing strategies without the direct use of the internet. This includes television and radio ads, direct mail, print publications, outdoor advertising, trade shows and festivals, promotional gifts, and word-of-mouth.
Why Offline Marketing is Not Dead?
Although offline marketing has been eclipsed by digital marketing in many industries, it is still effective in boosting brand awareness and if a brand is looking to build relationships with its clients but needs to connect with them face-to-face. The only way to achieve this is through offline marketing. While most businesses base their focus on online marketing if your business implements offline marketing strategies it will improve its growth. You will automatically stand out and get noticed quicker by potential clients. It is vital to understand that marketing was around long before the internet, and offline marketing isn’t dead. It is a very simple concept, and if well implemented, it will yield a high return on investment.
How to Take Advantage of Offline Marketing
Offline marketing is the unique opportunity to get to know your consumer. With face-to-face interactions, you can communicate with your audience directly. Just the fact that you are putting yourself out there trying to reach out to the demography your competitors ignored for an online presence. Your brand will gain potential clients out of that segment. Let’s look at the advantages businesses will gain while using offline marketing strategies.
1. Builds a Greater Connection with the Audience
In today’s world, consumers rely more on relationships. They prefer businesses that they feel have a genuine interest in their well-being and lives. Traditional marketing plays a vital role in reaching out to its local audiences and interacting with customers on a personal level by doing so, they create a long-lasting impression on customers.
2. Marketing Offline Establishes Trust & Credibility
Any business that uses high-quality traditional marketing media looks more credible in the eyes of the customer. The audience believes that a company that can place an ad in a magazine or a commercial on television and radio, must have credibility and financial stability. Offline marketing gives a brand more credibility compared to online marketing. It is more sustainable and leaves a longer impression on your audience.
3. Reach Diverse Audience
People encounter several forms of marketing whenever they go out into the world. This reach could either be outdoor advertising, radio advertisements, product packaging, or flyers given to them on the street. So if your business brand attracts a more diverse audience, then you won’t need to heavily target a demographic. Offline marketing, when used properly, might be a better option for attracting potential customers because if a business reaches a more diverse audience, it can boost the growth of the brand.
4. Longer Shelf Life
Print marketing offers a more consistent, long-term exposure. An audience might keep and view an ad-filled magazine for weeks or even months, or drive by the same billboard every day. Research shows that up to 40% of online searchers are influenced by an offline channel.
5. Bridging Offline Marketing to Online Conversions
Offline and online marketing strategies are powerful tools that when used together, can boost your brand, increase leads, and conversions. Before the internet, customers were urged to visit a location or call a phone number so businesses could make a sale. These options still result in a large number of sales for businesses, but the web now allows customers more benefits.
Attaching online information onto your offline marketing ads or business cards can help boost your overall reach. Your radio or billboard ads can share your company’s website. Magazines can give a specific hashtag for a product launch to visit the company’s social media profiles. All these allow the audience to spend time online to continue the brand relationship and buyer journey virtually. Ensure to use online calls-to-action (CTA) on your offline promotion pieces.
Offline Marketing Ideas
1. Brochures / Magazines
Brochures or magazines are a great way to advertise your business products or services. This beautifully designed, engaging brochure acts as a salesperson. Brochures and magazines can be hugely effective if used correctly.
2. Flyers / Leaflets
Another print marketing idea to get your brand message out to your target audience is to give away printed marketing material such as flyers and leaflets.
Leaflets or flyers are a great way to convey your message physically into the hands of your potential customers. Unlike digital adverts where people can aimlessly scroll through, a leaflet is handled and can cause the customer to take notice. Flyer printing may seem like an old tactic, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get results, especially if you’re heading to a trade show, or trying to gain some visibility in your local area.
4. Radios & Television Ads
Marketing media like radio and television reaches a wider audience and the role of broadcast advertising is to persuade consumers about the benefits of the product. It is considered a very effective offline medium of advertising.
5. Hosting Events
Events are a great way to interact with your customers face to face. Here customers can see the people behind the brand. And the events can be large-scale conferences where you teach people saving techniques then tell them about your services or smaller stands at exhibitions where you can meet people who are interested in the industry you’re in.
There are several other offline marketing ideas such as; billboards, direct mail, telemarketing, window display, signs, and word of mouth. As a start-up or an already existing business considering adding offline marketing into its marketing strategies, ensure to choose the ones that will work better for your business. You do not need to implement all these ideas but choose the ones that suit you best.
Need marketing help? Xanda digital marketing welcomes the opportunity to assist your business reach its marketing goals. Contact us for more information.