Most online marketers overlook the importance of offline advertising. Free search engines, pay per click search engines and using press releases are some of the best ways to spread the word about your business. Your car is also an excellent means of advertising as you can display your company's name on your car. An effective headline will successfully capture the attention of your reader and target your audience. Ad tracking can show you which e-zines and ads are the most profitable. Don't try to sell your product through your advertisement; entice people to visit your website.
Free search engines, pay per click search engines, writing articles, using press releases, doing joint ventures/ad co-ops, and posting to message boards and forums related to your target market are some of the best ways to advertise and spread the word about your business online.
However, one advertising method that most online marketers overlook is offline advertising.
There are several low/no cost offline advertising options, and I'd like to share three of them with you.
1) Company Cards
You must have business cards if you are serious about your business. They are inexpensive and an excellent way to attract new prospects or customers. Simply hand them out to people you believe might be interested in your company.
In addition, whenever I go to a restaurant, bar, or club, I leave my business cards in all of the restrooms. (Of course, make sure no one is in there... lol!)
And please don't laugh! It truly works. When I go to the bathroom an hour or two later, all of my business cards will be gone, and I'll have a fresh new set of sales the next day.
2) Posters
Flyers are very simple to create with today's technology. You can easily create a flyer online and then print and duplicate it. Then you can post them in local businesses where you believe your potential customers will be. (Just make sure you get the owner's permission first.)
Alternatively, hand out your flyers to strangers on the street. Many bars and clubs don't mind if you post flyers in their establishments, especially if you're a regular.
Don't forget about the supermarkets! Many places, at least in New Jersey, have bulletin boards where you can post your flyer. Every day, hundreds of people walk into supermarkets with the intention of purchasing something. Take advantage of it by posting your flyers frequently.
3) Automobile Promotion
What... ? Yes, you read that correctly! Your car is not only a means of transportation, but it is also an excellent means of advertising. You can display your company name and/or domain name on your car with magnetic signs or plates.
Every day, whether your car is parked, driving, or stuck in traffic, your business can be exposed to hundreds, if not thousands, of people. It's relatively inexpensive and a great way to "drive" your message home.
1. Focus your advertising.
The more targeted the e-zine for your offer, the higher the response to your proven ad.
2. Keep track of your advertisements.
Don't leave your ad campaigns to chance. Ad tracking can show you which e-zines and ads are the most profitable.
3. Place your ad in multiple issues.
You'll get a better response and possibly save money because many publishers offer bulk advertising discounts.
4. Take your time writing your headline.
An effective headline will successfully capture the attention of your reader and target your audience.
Your winning headline will also entice readers to read the rest of your ad, resulting in increased traffic and sales.
5. Do not try to sell your product through your advertisement.
Write your ads to pique people's interest and entice them to visit your website.
Your powerful sales page will do the selling for you, and you'll be able to get people to sign up for your e-zine or mailing list for successful follow-up.
6. Avoid using all capital letters in your headline.
You'll appear to be yelling at your reader, and your advertisement will come across as amateurish.
7. Incorporate a "call to action."
Include a call to action at the end of your e-zine ads that tells your reader what you want them to do next (i.e., visit your site or subscribe to your e-zine).
8. Don't make your ad cute or funny.
You might make your reader happy, but don't expect that to translate into more visits to your site or more sales.
9. Give something away for free.
Offer a free eBook, sample chapter, or trial as a reward for visiting your site.
10. Subscribe to or browse the archives of the e-zines in which you want to advertise.
You'll be able to see the quality of the content provided, how many advertisements are published in each issue, and you'll get a good idea of the products those readers are interested in based on the advertisements that are run.
No comments:
Post a Comment