Be honest – do you really have a solid marketing strategy? Or are you just winging it? Marketing might seem easy; without a doubt, it is not nuclear physics. However, it is way harder than most people realise, especially the ones that have never undergone any type of education or training.
The list of products or ideas that have failed because of bad marketing is a long one. There is no doubt that you do not want to be anywhere near that school of thought. And in the digital world, where marketing is done both online and offline, the challenge becomes that much harder.
Most business and advertising are done online, but plenty of people still appreciate the spoken word, the direct contact and the human element. That means that the company has to penetrate the market simultaneously in two different ways, and in doing so, might damage one or both. Are your online and offline marketers even working together? Let’s see how you can make sure that your offline promotion doesn’t clash with all of your online activities, marketing and otherwise.
Coordinate All Marketing Activities with Your Core Business – All the Time!
Your business might be online, but your whole presence isn’t. There will be many opportunities for direct contact with the customer, and you should grab every single one. Before you do that, however, you should come up with a solid plan. What are the marketing activities, both online and offline, that are going to help you get a bigger market share? How can you make sure that you are communicating the same message? Can you guarantee that that message is aligned with the company’s goals, mission and strategy for the upcoming period?
Consolidate your core team and do the grunt work. That way you will never have to worry that your offline work is hurting your business.
Every Offline Presence Should Have a Unified Visual Brand
The importance of having a good brand can’t be emphasised enough. Whether your company is big or small, domestic or international, offline or online… The importance of a good brand remains the same. On the other hand, if your company is doing business online, chances are your customers aren’t used to seeing your identity in a physical form. Which is why, every time there is a gathering, you should have branded banners .
You can also take it a step further and brand some useful items that you can give away for free. Most companies go for pens, coffee mugs, etc. To be honest, there are plenty of items you could choose from – sunglasses, USB drives, umbrellas… Figure out what your potential customers would enjoy the most and make sure there is plenty to go around. Don’t sabotage yourself by giving away free merchandise of poor quality. Headphones that don’t work aren’t really putting your company on the map.
Be Accessible and Approachable at Any Point of Contact with the Customer
The unified approach you have when it comes to your visual identity needs to be replicated in terms of the way you approach and manage your customers. If you invest a lot in your online customer service, and have branded yourself by always putting your customers first, then your physical presence can’t be any different. Let’s say people approach your stand and want to sign up for a service. Your sellers need to be informed, professional and polite. Tools they are using can’t malfunction. If you told your customers they would get a free item with their purchase, you can’t tell them that you are out.
Consistency is the key, and every contact needs to be pristine in order not to damage the already established share of the market and relationship with the customers.
Educate Your Staff and Turn Every Promotion into a Sales Deal
The last piece of the puzzle is your staff. They can do the most harm, and they can do the most good. Not only do they need to know the product and service, as well as all current promotions and deals, but they also need to embody the company values and strategy. Only they can turn a simple promotion into a sale and a random bystander into a loyal customer. Invest your time, money and energy into turning them into high performers, so you can be sure that every offline event is one step forward for your online business. And if they do end up achieving impressive results, reward them and make sure they are staying.
If you are running an online company, the way you handle your offline marketing activities can make all the difference. Any company that can do both is already one step ahead of all of its competitors. Invent new ways to penetrate the market, don’t be afraid to get creative and learn from your surroundings.
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