What are the best offline marketing options out there for new businesses?

In my own experience over the last 20+ years in marketing, I have found that nothing beats the effectivess of offline media for laser-targeting demographics for online marketing.

Specifically, nearly all of my traffic has been generated through articles in publications which have reading audiences similar to my own targeted demographics.

In addition, traditional media (TV, radio, a strong presence at events and tradeshows, etc), can drive massive volumes of highly convertible traffic.

If you're info offline marketing, there are heaps of options all dependent on what your business actually is.

I would suggest you look at a few options:

- Branded merchandise - these are always great for promotional items and corporate gifts and can be tailored to your market

- Sponsorship - determine your target market and sponsor and event or community team to get some traction with your target market. You business will look good, you'll be getting your name out in the community and hopefully the enquiries will start flooding in.

- Print collateral / flyers - this is timeless and if you have the time, design and money creating trade tools, flyers and the like will always be a good way to get to your market. As much as everyone find digital marketing cheaper and quicker, this is always going to be timeless and worth a look.

- Discount offers - if you've got an opening special, rebranding deal or you just need to get people through the door a discount offer can help. Create the offer and you can share it in your offline and digital marketing and track results.

- PR - check out this old chestnut. Whether you are getting advertorial or traditional PR, a news piece of write up in a trade magazine, newsletter or newspaper is valuable and will also provide the coverage your business is looking for to make your product or service 'newsworthy'.

- Outdoor advertising - this can be billboards, bus shelter or any outdoor signage if you have a physical street address or office.

- Trade shows or conventions - setting up a stand at a tradeshow or convention is a great way to get offline marketing kicked off. Choose an industry event that has your target market and set up a trade stand to target your audience. Offer a special deal and you could have new business flocking your way.

- Networking events - meet and greet and spread the word about your business to the local market.

- Apply for awards - this is a great way to get your business noticed in the local community and also amongst your colleagues. Being an award recipient also sets you in good steed with your customer base who value awards and accolades in the decision making process.

On a personal note once someone starts using WE and OUR and starts their discussion with these pronouns it really doesn't help discussion.

People who visit the forum will generally help when asked nicely.

They prefer to talk to individuals who have a more conversational tone.

As for the OP's question there are a ton of offline options to consider.

You say. . .

Wanting to do as much marketing as possible?

I'm assuming you already have a product and marketing that when you put $1 in you get more than a dollar out.

Am I right here or are you yet to turn a profit?

Is the business bootstrap funded or do you have investors expecting results?

What type of marketing are you doing?

What sort of budget do you have? - $1K a day, $20K a day, $100K a day. MORE?

It is one thing to reach your customer base and another to convert that prospect into a paying customer.

Are you in for the long game?

Most marketing that are successful have a long term approach.

I get the feeling from the post that you want quick results but quick results usually are only achieved by people who have a long term approach and who have built solid lead conversion funnels or who have partnered with businesses who can already deliver a prospect on the verge of conversion.

If you are working in the wider area of your lead capture funnel I hope you have deep pockets or at the very least a deep understanding of relationship building with your prospects because otherwise you will feel the pain caused when one neglects to work on that area.

From your post you say you deliver a "Report"

There are a few businesses you might like to look at to model and research what they are doing.

There are businesses like Ancestry.com or GetCreditScore, or Iselect or any number of similar report producing businesses that work at the "initial" or "entry" part of the funnel as you suggest you do.

Look at the competitors or the businesses that have similar processes and model what is working for them.

Conversions from cold to paying client/customer is not as easy as some would believe.

Usually there is some significant effort and relationship building between these two states.

Big money can shorten the route through mass media marketing and branding but for the rest of us we build relationships one by one.

Then we convert.

Best regards,

Ozi