These days, there’s so much talk of marketing opportunities and demographic potential that it can be hard for businesses to know where to start. It’s not that there’s a lack of options. It’s quite the opposite; there are now thousands of different ways to promote your brand. The question is, which ones are the most effective?
Should it be Facebook or Twitter? Poster campaigns or PPC partnerships? Which techniques are going to get people talking? Well, the answer may surprise you. According to a litany of recent studies, it is back to basics offline marketing tactics that are really exciting shoppers right now. Any company in the world, regardless of quality, can promote their brand on social media. So, businesses that can do both stand head and shoulders above the competition.
These handy hints and tips will explain why offline marketing is the hottest trend of the year for modern advertising departments.
Design a Business Card
Yes, the business card is an old fashioned way of increasing brand exposure. No, it isn’t obsolete. In fact, millennials have enthusiastically revived the art of the business card in recent years. They’re doing things that are innovative and exciting like printing on plastic, wood, and metal. Get onboard and show off your logo in style, with a sleek, modern calling card.
Use Promotional Items
Melbourne’s Promotional Product Experts know all about the power of branded goods and accessories. They are an effective way to increase brand exposure, because they have the unique ability to hang around consumer homes for a remarkably long time. People simply love freebies; give them a branded calendar, pen, or fridge magnet and they’ll keep it around even if they don’t consciously intend to, because it’s useful.
Get Out on the Streets
One of the quickest, easiest ways to get noticed is to put your brand out there on the street, right in front of shoppers. You can do this in an endless variety of ways, but it needs to be exciting enough to draw a crowd. Whether you’re handing out free snacks, ushering people into a pop up shop, or giving demonstrations, make sure that your representatives are dressed in branded clothing and are very clearly associated with your company.
Pitch Up at Trade Shows
If you’ve never been to a trade show before, it’s time to give it a go. You’ll quickly find that they are a great way to strengthen brand identity, because they give you a lot of room and flexibility. You’ll get a booth or stall and you can use it to represent your company in any way that you like. So, take the time to think about your use of imagery and designs. Make sure that your logo, company name or slogan takes centre stage.
Be Cautious Online
You’ll need to master the online world as well the real one if you want to conquer hearts and minds. However, there are a lot more dangers on the internet than there are at trade shows or networking events. If you’re a smaller company, you can avoid them by recruiting a crack team of social media experts. Put the effort and time into high quality training, because it’s really important to know how to avoid very public social media gaffes as well as how to form an engaging ad campaign.
Know the Value of Consistency
Businesses change and their needs shift and evolve over time, so brands are prone to change too. However, consistency is key when it comes to reinforcing brand identity. If you’re constantly changing the colour scheme on your website or disregarding the need for a uniform style across promotional materials, you’ll end up being forgettable, because there’s no defining, enduring features to remember.
Get Close and Personal
It’s easy to forget, in this pursuit of new blood and bigger audiences, that there’s already a loyal following of people that are giving you the opportunity to run your business in the way that you want. Don’t forget to appreciate existing customers, because they’re the ones who’ll tell friends, family members, and colleagues that you’re the best choice in town. Send them a card on their birthday, a free gift at Christmas, or just a note to say thank you.
Why Brand Identity Is All About Contact
In this digital world, consumers remember businesses that take the time to look beyond Facebook and offer them a valuable experience. Sure, Twitter posts are great for connecting with people in an immediate way, but how many are actually turning into conversions? This year, make a splash by going back to basics and getting truly passionate about your brand.