2020 is coming up fast and we’re starting to see some interesting online marketing trends shaping up for next year. Local SEO will remain one of the most important marketing instruments to use, particularly if you run a business that caters to local customers. Social media and video marketing are also going to be very popular.
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While online marketing is the focus of many businesses, you must not forget about effective offline marketing. Conventional leaflets and in-store promotions are still very effective in bringing more customers to your store. Offline marketing can also go hand in hand with online efforts, and we are going to take a look at 5 ways you can do that for your business in this article.
Add Social Media Handles
Adding your website address and social media handles is a must whenever you create designs for offline marketing purposes. The next time you print flyers to advertise a promotional offer, be sure to also include your social media pages in it.
You also have the option to take it a step further and print leaflets specifically for strengthening your online presence. For example, you can ask customers to follow your social media profiles, and then show that they have done so to the sales officer in your store for an additional discount.
Thanks to speedy and cheap leaflet printing from Print24 and similar service providers, you can run several offline marketing campaigns using this approach without breaking your marketing budget. Don’t forget to also display social media handles in the store, particularly near the cash register.
In-Store Bonuses
Another great way to strengthen your online presence while doing offline marketing is by making online interaction a requirement for earning in-store bonuses and giveaways. When a customer shares a photo of your business’s product on their Instagram profile, for instance, they can get extra samples for free.
This promotional offer works really well for two reasons. First of all, customers will have to make a purchase in order to qualify for the giveaway. They can’t just take pictures of your products in the store without buying one, can they?
The social media shares will also expose more people to your brand – and, subsequently, your products and services. Not only will you be able to reach your followers, you can also expand your reach to followers of your customers.
Shows and Events
Sponsoring local community events or opening a stand at the local fair are great ways to connect with potential customers. When you do take the opportunity to sponsor an event or attend trade shows, be sure to advertise your online presence as much as your products.
Customers don’t always make a purchase on the spot. Some of them will try to find you online and learn more about the products you offer first. Making it easy for them to find you online will help boost conversion rate and increase sales, all while strengthening your online presence.
Make sure you maintain consistent branding across all channels. The designs you send to the flyer printing company must contain the same branding elements as the designs of your website and social media pages. More importantly, all marketing instruments must carry the same set of values or key messages for better consistency.
At these events there are plenty of opportunities to make your customers remember you when they get home. You can get some branded promotional merchandise that aids your brand image and hand it out to your customers for free or for an email address. For example, if you’re selling fresh juice at the local market, you could offer these with imprinted reusable straws that people can keep on using even at home and remember your brand when doing so.
Location, Location, Location!
Having a retail store or an establishment is actually very good for your online presence on its own. You can add the location of your store to Google Maps and review sites such as Yelp. When customers see a clear address and photos of your store, they will feel confident about doing business with you.
Yes, having a clear location information displayed online is a fantastic way to build credibility. It is even better if you encourage walk-in customers to write reviews on Yelp. Don’t forget to take the time to respond to those reviews, especially the negative ones.
Once again, you can use conventional marketing tools to encourage customers to write a review about your business. Ask your favorite leaflet printing company to print some extra leaflets explaining how customers can earn additional discounts for their reviews, and you’ll get a lot of reviews in no time.
Don’t Forget the Ads
As a local business, advertising is one of the strongest marketing instruments you can use. Local papers and other publications are great for delivering personalised messages to the right target audience. Similar to our approach with flyers and leaflets, be sure to include information on how the viewers can find you online in those ads.
You can also use this strategy to advertise your online storefront if you choose to cater to online customers. Upon seeing the ads, customers can simply access your ecommerce site and make a purchase instead of having to visit your store.
With all of these marketing tactics, you can strengthen your online presence while running an effective offline marketing campaign. Use the tips we discussed in this article to reach more viewers and increase sales for your business.
Hello Royce Calvin, I’m reading another of your article and I must say that it is very neat and well explained. I too agree with the face that it is always a wise decision to hire a well skilled professional for the printing industry because they have the potential to change your business structure. Thank you so much for sharing this.