9 Great Ways of Promoting Your Business Offline

The internet and technology looked quite different just a decade ago. Social media was just starting up, HD was just starting to come around and people’s phones were filled with apps that had cool sound effects instead of practical ones.

Advances in tech haven’t just changed our social lives, but also how businesses operate. If a business doesn’t have a website or an app, how are they going to reach out to potential clients?

Even though having an online presence is incredibly important, there are still plenty of ways that you can market and promote your business without relying on the power of the internet.

Endorsements

Every city and town, no matter how big or small, has people that are more well-known and recognizable. One great way to promote your business is to partner with them in an endorsement. You can do this through an advertisement, a public appearance or some kind of commercial.

Having them talk about and promoting your product is a way to drive more people to your business.

Business Partnerships

There are plenty of businesses out there that don’t compete against one another, but instead work together like peanut butter and jelly. If you own a dog kennel, you can put your information at pet stores.

To pay back the favor, allow temporary dog-walkers to put up their information in your kennel. Building those relationships can go a long way in putting your business to the forefront.

Speeches and Workshops

If you have a business that offers a particular service, try to get set up a speaking engagement at a local convention or trade show. You’re already going to have an audience there, so bring people in.

With workshops, you can offer a free or inexpensive course. Consider it a teaser trailer, with people getting just a snippet of what you do and how you can help them.

Giveaways

Everyone likes winning something, right? Whether it’s something big like a vacation or something tiny like a keychain, it just feels good to take home a prize.

While you don’t have to offer a vacation package, you can do a giveaway for promoting certain products or even stopping by your table at a convention. Don’t worry about making it something grandiose, but people always love to receive new items. 

Local Sponsorships

If you grew up playing youth sports, you may remember that there was always some local business splattered on the front of your jerseys.

This is a doubly good action for you and your business: you’re able to be involved in something local and making sure people see your name on the front. At the end of the year, they may even give you a team photo to hang on your walls.

Network Away

A cliche as old as time, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” You never know who can open that next door for you, who you may partner with or what a new relationship might mean for you and your business.

Don’t be afraid to pass around your business card to people at conventions, shows or local networking meetups. You don’t have to be “that guy” who is handing out their card at every social function, but getting your name out there won’t hurt.

The Local Paper

Even though people don’t read as much as they used to, there are still plenty of people who are picking up the local paper or magazine. Contact those media outlets to see if you can have a write-up done about you and your business.

It’s a fun way to talk about yourself while promoting your line of work.

The Free Lunch

Whoever says they don’t love food is a dirty liar. Invite some customers or potential customers out for a free lunch to talk about what you can do for their businesses or their needs.

Even though the lunch might set you back a bit, it’s a small price to pay for gaining new business leads and building new relationships.

Talk to Your Customers

Last but not least, the most important thing you can do is talk and listen to your customers. Find out what they liked about your services or how you can improve. People aren’t always going to remember exactly what you said, but they will remember how you treated them.

Treating people right means they’re likely to tell others about your business, encouraging people to come see what else you have to offer.