This post was written by Lucas Parker and is shared here with permission.
With the rise of digital marketing, businesses have begun to forego traditional marketing methods in favor of new advancements. The internet has become an irreplaceable tool in every marketer’s toolbox and the tactics used within it are only increasing in number. However, you shouldn’t forget the other tools that can be used, because they’re still very much effective. Here are some examples.
1. Phone calls
You would be surprised how much a single phone call could influence your relationship with your customers. They probably won’t voice their opinions on their own, so giving them a quick call to chat about your business could give you a lot of necessary information. Find out what kind of issues they’re facing with your product and service and what you can do to fix it.
Some might even have a very positive opinion on the current state of their service and they might want more of it. Why pass up on an opportunity to increase your cooperation? Either way, you can only get positive results from having a heart-to-heart talk with your clients.
2. Print adverts
People seem to think that paper is a thing of the past. However, this is only true in situations where paper is simply a means to an end. If a workplace can replace its paper trail with digital, there’s no reason that they shouldn’t. However, paper media is still very popular and sought after.
Magazines are still gracing the homes of many people and they have a substantial following. Luxury magazines that deal with very specific topics are particularly popular among higher-income demographics. People like browsing the internet for their content, but a magazine gives them the satisfaction of knowing that something was made to cater to them and inform them in a way that they like.
Running print ads in magazines that deal with your demographic could yield some very high returns. The best part is, you don’t even have to worry about your ads being too intrusive. It’s simply a part of magazine culture that doesn’t phase anyone. A full page dedicated to your product or service won’t be considered out of place.
3. Direct mail
Hardly anyone opens their mail do read anything that isn’t a phone bill. However, part of the reason that mail is scarcely read is the fact that there is hardly any mail to read. People will obviously open most of the things they get in the mail, so why not take advantage of this to help introduce clients and potential clients to your products.
You can start with coupons and personal notes that can help you build a friendly relationship between you and your consumer base.
4. Flyers
If you want to generate some buzz around your business on a local level, you might want to consider some old-fashioned methods. Flyers are the perfect way to tell people that your business is active and close enough to be worth trying out. They’re cheap, colorful, and good at what they do. Using flyers, you can give your business a face that people can connect with. They’re especially important to up and coming businesses that are entering into a market that is mostly untapped because they will help people find you if they have a need.
Designing an attractive flyer should be your first order of business. You need to make something that is in-your-face and appealing to your target demographics. Any graphic designer could help you muster up a flyer worth giving a quick glance.
The best way to give out flyers would be in person. A busy corner will have thousands of people passing through it every hour, and many of them might be potential customers that only need a slight push to find your business and make use of it. Better yet, they could share those flyers with someone that they think would want the products.
5. Exhibition stands
When you want to reach a wide variety of potential clients and business partners, you need to visit a trade show or convention. They’re places that have the highest concentration of individuals and groups that can invest in your business. You have lucrative business opportunities on every corner and all you have to do is give them a good presentation.
When you find yourself at a trade show or convention, you need to turn your business into an attention grabber. People like seeing products and services in action and the way you present them can make or break your visit. Don’t underestimate how much you need well-designed exhibition stands for business in these shows. When hundreds of potential clients are roaming around the convention center, you need to be sure that they see your stand and like it.
6. Signage
It might be the oldest marketing method in the world, but it’s still very effective at what it does. It’s pretty straight to the point. You put up a sign that tells passerby’s what your business is about and where to find it. If it’s in front of your business place, it can be used to attract people to check it out.
Whether they were initially looking for your business or not, it doesn’t really matter. A good sign can help people find things that they didn’t even know they wanted. Where you place your signs could have a profound impact on how well they’re noticed. If they’re scattered around town, you might want to consider light poles and subway walls. They receive constant traffic, which means you’ll never have a shortage of people looking at them.
Conclusion
It’s hard to argue against traditional methods of marketing because you can plainly see their results on any given day. You still see billboards, flyers, and signs all over town, simply because they’re still effective. In the hyper-competitive world of business, you can’t afford to make mistakes that don’t give you a good ROI, which is why seeing these methods used gives you a clear sign that they are very much effective. As long as you stay creative and clever when designing your marketing campaign, you will be able to make good use of them.
