Offline Marketing tactics for your online store

For online stores, the basic principle for increasing profit – is to generate more and more traffic to the store. Online marketing tools and tactics have gained an immense popularity in the past few years. However, running an online marketing campaign takes some time to bring the returns on investments as well as involves big capital to continue such campaigns.  And, the day you stop paying for your online campaigns, they’ll will immediately discontinue the service no matter how loyal you were. This directly hits bottom line of the business.

 

Another alternative that can divert traffic for your online store: offline marketing. When planning marketing campaigns, many online businesses focus more/completely on online mediums and overlook the importance of many proven offline mediums. Offline marketing has been around for decades that is reliable, worth the effort and tend to generate returns that are daunting with regard to online traffic generation methods.

This blog focuses on forgotten offline marketing for online stores, and here we present few tactics that to promote your business offline.
1 – Word-of-mouth

Even if you adopt online marketing strategy, word-of-mouth is one of the oldest offline marketing tactic and yet prevalent amongst many online business just because it is exponential and does not require capital. You meet a number of people (friends and family) in your day-to-day life and spreading information about your online business using this tactic will divert potential traffic which will create a good impact on the bottom line of your business.

2 – Events and shows

Organizing or collaborating with a professional event/show (of the same interest) will give you a platform to gather new people, spread your word, as well as divert traffic to your store. Creating an event will require capital and if you are having less budget, participating in events and shows will be an effective offline marketing tactic for your online store. Since, local news media always lookup for such events – you are bound to gain wide recognition for your online store as a result.

3 – Radios

Radios has been around since over decades and is considered to be a proven offline marketing tactic for any online business. The amount of radio stations are increasing, hence you should take an advantage to make your information accessible to them. Approach such stations and register to run up an advertisement which may cost some bucks but at the same time will generate more traffic for your store.

4 – TV advertisement

Not many adopt this offline tactic as it involves a huge capital. But, this platform can divert traffic in a large mass. If your budget is small contact a local TV channel (that cater customers of your interest) and put up an advertisement. And, if you have big budget approach mainstream channels and your website should be the talk of the town in no time.

5 – Magazines and Newspapers

Being present on magazines and newspapers will make your website easily accessible to any demographic. No doubt, there is a fee for such ads, but the money spent will create a good word-of-mouth among subscribers and readers. Ensure your interesting domain name and byline is present in there.

6 – Guerilla marketing

This is an unconventional marketing strategy that includes the use of flyers, stickers, posters etc. for promoting business. An inexpensive medium of offline marketing, you can implement the following ideas:

– Leave sticky notes at shopping malls, cafe, etc.

– Create flyers and hoardings.

– Distribute leaflets and brochure.

There are many other ways to implement guerilla marketing, however whatever medium you consider ensure your website URL and byline is present in there.

7 – Be the advertisement

Many organizations come up with charity shows for a great cause, and to be a part of it will make wonders happen. Contact such organization and be a part of the advertisement. For instance if a company has organized a football match to raise funds for a certain cause, be the advertisement on their costumes, or stick a huge sticker with your brand name, logo and slogan on your car.

8 – QR code marketing

Quick responsive or QR codes has been around since the 90’s, but only with the widespread adoption of smartphones and barcode-scanning apps have shoppers been able to easily access QR codes in significant numbers. Take an advantage of this effective tactic by infusing them in your flyers, brochure, sticky notes, business cards, etc.

9 – Business cards

Business card gives a quick access to information on-the-go. Make it point to distribute your business cards to each and every person you meet, and not to mention it passes on. Ensure that you mention your URL, byline and QR codes on the business card.

10 – Gift certificate/ Promotional discount coupons

By giving your products and services as a price for a local contest or in events and shows, you can build visibility for business while showing your commitment to shoppers. You can offer the price in the form of gift certificates/discount coupons that will encourage shoppers to visit your website in order to make use of it.

In Closing

The above are some of the proven offline marketing tactics. However, you don’t have to use all of them. It is wise to start one-by-one as you never know which could be the most effective and profit-making offline tactic for your online store.