Offline Strategies That Are Still Valid For Online Businesses

In a world where businesses are going online and digital marketing taking the center stage, it is easy to forget the existence of offline strategies. Advertising products/services in daily newspapers has become unpopular, because, really, how many of target customers still reads newspapers? Ironically, these newspapers have websites where you can get the same information as the printed version.

That being said, businesses engage online marketing strategies to be able to reach their potential customers. But, there are some offline strategies that are classic and still work as effectively as digital marketing. Combination of the two works like magic.

Below are offline strategies that are valid for online products:

Co-Branding

Co-branding is one of the best offline strategies to reach out to potential customers who you may not be able to be opportune to meet regularly. What is co-branding? It is a strategic marketing between two brands wherein the success of one brand also brings success to the partner brand. That is, two brands coming together to form an alliance. It is an effective way to build break into new markets, and create more awareness. This could occur between two brands in the same sector or in completely different markets.

An advantage of co-branding is getting familiar with a market previously unavailable for either of the co-branding partners, thereby creating awareness to potential customers. For instance, a high-end brand and a low-end brand can do a collaboration.

With adequate planning and execution, co-branding should be a win-win situation for both parties. Rather than competing with top brands, co-branding is a way to make more sales and get more customers.

Word Mouth

Word of mouth is a classic and the cheapest strategy of making more sales. This is done by anyone; you, your clients/customers, your employees, friends and family. The good thing is, it is at no cost. Getting your customers to spread the word out about your business solely depends on how satisfied they are with your product. Your customers are your best marketer; so, if they are getting the best from you, they’d surely refer potential customers, and you’d be getting paid. Your product is bomb, your customers are getting satisfaction, you are getting paid and everyone is happy.

Also, your employees should know the in and out of your product in order to communicate well with potential customers.

Customer Loyalty Program

Offering your customers loyalty rewards is an effective way to retain customers and make more sales as an online business. According to Harvard Business Review, it is about 5 to 25 times more expensive to acquire a new customer than retaining an existing one. This is not to say that you shouldn’t acquire new customers, but not at the expense of the old; customer loyalty program is a way to keep the latter. Study also shows existing customers spend 67% more than new customers.

It’s 5 to 25 times more expensive to acquire a new customer than retaining an existing one — Harvard Business Review

Customer loyalty is a customer’s willingness to buy from a brand over and over and it is often a result of satisfaction and the value of that product or service. Because of the good experience they have, they refer potential customers to a brand. Hence, customers like this should be rewarded.

Customer loyalty program is a reward program offered by a company to their frequents customers. They could offer rewards, coupons, etc. Offline businesses are mostly known to use this method; as an online business owner, you could incorporate this alongside other marketing strategies.

Sponsor Events

Event sponsorship is another way of marketing your products and getting potential customers to know about your brand. Most of these events provide booths for their products in order to showcase their product/service. By doing this, you are able to take advantage of the large crowd; network, market and have a good time. This way, you get people to try out your product/service, thereby creating more sales.

When you sponsor an event you need to make sure your can maximize your exposure. Just adding your logo on a website or flyer won’t give you much return. First of all make sure your sponsoring an event that is addressing the right audience. After all, you want to find new customers for your business. Then find a way to engage with that audience. Maybe you can do a raffle, photobooth, or some other physical activity where your have a direct interaction with the audience that allows you to connect and also collect contact details.

Follow up on all the leads generated after the event and make sure your can convert them into paying customers.

Distribution of Branded Materials

You don’t want to go events empty-handed; you want to take along your business card, flyers, stickers, etc. Most the time, after an elevator pitch, a client may request for your business and a handbill, as they want to read more about your product/service and if they are convinced, they may go ahead to check out your product/service.

You don’t have to wait till there is an event to distribute these materials; hand it to people any chance you get.

Another way to go about this is by giving your existing customers/clients a branded package, it could be a pen, mug, jotter, etc. hopefully someone like it, asks what the brand is all about, checks it out, he/she is impressed and keeps coming back. Remember, it started with just a customised fancy mug.

Organise an Event/Seminars

This event could be a celebratory event. Did you just launch a product? Invite your customers, connect with them. This will make them feel more than just a customer.

Also, don’t celebrate with them, educate and enlighten them by organising free seminars or trainings. This could be your own way of giving back to your customers, a way of saying you care and their growth matters to you. This works best if your business model is B2B; this way, you are not only focused on growing your business, but theirs too.

When your organise events you need to make sure you deliver value. After all you’re asking people to give up their free time to come and listen to you. They must be incentivised.

Even when you’re running a pure online business it’s key to have an offline strategy. It’s important to physically connect with your (potential) customers and get direct feedback. So, close that laptop and head out on the streets to build your business.