Offline Marketing for Your Online Business
photo credit: katie coleslaw
So. You assume that because your business is online, your marketing efforts have to be, too? Right?
Wrong.
There are a number of steps you can take to spread the word about your blog, website or online shoppe— here are just a few of my favorites:
1. Print a few well-designed mini-flyers, visit your local library or coffee shop and give them a few to put out for you.
2. For a less invasive approach, or if you have a fun business-related story to share, call your local Chamber of Commerce and ask to be considered as a guest speaker/presenter. This is a bit more intense for the average Joe small biz, but it’s a great tool for networking and branding yourself as the local expert in your field.
3. Never underestimate the power of a business or calling card. The #1 marketing mistake online business owners make is assuming their email signature will do the same work their business card does. A well-designed business card can work wonders in terms of spreading the word about what you do— both online and offline. For inspiration, here is an amazing Flickr set for inspiration.
4. When in doubt, throw a party! One of our favorite L.A.-based shoppes, Poketo, does an outstanding job of creating an offline presence by regularly throwing art parties at their studio/gallery space. It’s a two-fold business plan— spread the word about their awesomeness and establish a community of loyal fans along the way.
Of course, there are many, many more creative ways to shine a light on your dot com. Feel free to use the comment section below to share some of your favorite ideas!
I love this blog. seriously you guys are just pouring out amazing information! thank you bunches!
I like to connect with local twitter peeps. It’s a natural transition for me, since I am online practically ALL THE TIME.
Great post Erin,
I’ve experimented with actually running my online business offline from time. Rather than selling artwork just via the website, I’ve set up a stand at a weekend market, or something similar.
Not only can you make a few sales, but it’s good brand exposure to those who haven’t heard of your site before.
Keep up the great blog!
Ben
(I love this blog, too! Its amazing.) The main thing I encounter when promoting offline is getting over the fear of just spilling the beans. For example, I draw on shoes, so when I wear my pair people tend to ask me about them and for awhile I kind of dodged the subject, but now I’m learning to just tell the person all about my online shop and such.
Hey – just found your site via twitter, and I like what I see and read. We are antique dealers trying to promote blog and online shop – so we just redesigned our biz cards and created Grand Opening postcards. We are doig an antique show this weekend and will press cards into every hand we can. Offline for online, right? Blogged our new biz card designs here: http://tandemantiques.com/2009/02/26/new-business-cards-for-tandem-antiques/
Looking forward to more from your site, and will RT the link.
Hilary
I totally agree-we have to cover all bases. In fact, I wrote an article for The Storque on offline networking last year: http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/how-to-network-offline-increase-online-sales-in-five-easy-st-910/
Just found your blog via Design Sponge. Love it!
I really liked your blog!
I learn something new each time I stop by your blog. Great work. Quick question. What’s the best way to send out my new blog to friends/family/co-workers, a few hundred people? Mass email with everyone bcc’ed? I’m all about shameless self promotion but I want it to feel meaningful and mass emails don’t.
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
All of these are SO SUPER crucial. And I think they are ALWAYS timely too. If you’re established you can always use this to get your name out in areas you may not be known in. I am loving this post right now
xo