Using Offline Means to Promote Your Online Business

The other night I was out walking my dog. I have a chocolate lab mix. Although I think the mix part is with being crazy. He can be a bit active, very jumpy, but for the most part is a great dog.

While walking him the other night, I ran into a neighbor of ours that lives on the opposite side of the development. He took was walking his dog and the irony about his dog is that he acts just like mine. Needless to say both dogs get along really well.

So while walking our dogs together I started to talking to him about how things are going with work with his job (he is in the trade show industry), and just about life in general. Of course he did the same, asking about our company and how things are fairing in this slowing economy.

This got me thinking of better ways to promote an online business using offline means. What I mean by that is, what are better ways to promote a website, blog or some type of online content with the use of offline advertising or socialization?

In the course of a month I will meet a ton of new people through various business meetings, family gatherings and helping friends or associates with their own businesses. While assisting them I give them information on our website. Either through a brochure, a flyer or a business card I make sure information about our website gets into their hands.

All the rage is online social networking, however this is a great way to social network offline and is just as if not more so important.

If you are like us and have an online business venture, you need to spread the word offline as well. Get your website or blog information into the hands of anyone and everyone that you think would be interested.

It does not need to be some type of elaborate marketing package. A simple business card with your website information on it will do. Business cards can be one the least expensive ways to promote your business. At your local office store, such as Staples, Office Depot, or OfficeMax, you can get up to 1000 of them printed for less than $25. Now that is a steal!

Once you get your information printed, start handing them out. Always carry about 10 to 20 on your wherever you go. When you do hand out your information, make sure you give the person three copies. One for them and two more for each of the two friends they are going to hand them to. It is great offline viral marketing.

Results won’t happen overnight, as they normally don’t. However, a consistent and persistent approach to this type of offline marketing will work wonders for you overtime.