With the rise of online marketing, business owners may wonder if there’s still a place for traditional marketing methods.
After all, consumers are now constantly online, whether it’s for shopping, research, or social media. Is it time to take newspaper ads, flyers, and other old-school marketing materials out of the picture?
You might be in for a surprise, however. Recent reports on marketing reveal that the most successful marketing strategies utilise not only online but also traditional marketing.
More specifically, they use traditional practices to act as leverage to boost their online marketing.
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Indeed, traditional marketing is far from entirely obsolete. However, keep in mind that not all traditional marketing methods are effective today.
Some practices, such as telemarketing and placing ads in phone books, are slowly going out of style. To help you choose which to use, here are some traditional marketing practices you can try:
TV and Radio Ads
It’s unlikely that broadcast marketing will be taken out of the picture soon. Indeed, people still use TV to watch sports events, news, and other shows not available in digital movie platforms like Netflix.
Different TV shows can garner up to millions of viewers every day, making them a lucrative platform for business promotions.
However, not everyone can afford expensive TV ads. The more affordable platform is radio ads, which have hundreds of listeners daily.
That said, radio ads may come with a hefty price tag as well, depending on the show’s popularity. If you still hope to make use of broadcast marketing, check for local tv and radio stations.
These options are often more affordable, but they will have a limited reach. Nonetheless, you can still use it to promote your business in your neighbourhood and target locals.
Billboards
Never underestimate the marketing power of large, well-placed ads.
One of the key perks of using billboards is that they’re easily seen even from far away. Considering how many people drive cars, ride bikes, or walk on the streets every day, it can be an effective marketing real to reach a local audience.
However, they also can also come with large costs. Billboard rental fees vary greatly, depending on the area, position, traffic volume, and passersby.
Additionally, you need to pay a production fee for the vinyl ad itself. If you’re working on a limited budget, check in with your community’s local billboard rates.
Promotional Items
Promotional items are arguably one of the most cost-effective ways to reach and build a loyal client base. People love receiving items, so don’t overlook this time-tested traditional marketing practice.
Some of the most common promotional items you can use are pens, mugs, and shirts. If, however, you want to make an impression on your customers, you need to take it a step further.
Here are some tips in helping you choose the right promotional item for your business:
- Usefulness. Clients appreciate items they can actually use. Thus, don’t just go for cheap, ornamental items. Think about what your customers can conveniently use every day. For example, if you’re targeting pet parents, pet treats and toys will make them very happy.
- Relevance to the Brand. Choose an item that is either directly or indirectly related to your business. For example, USB’s and chargers make great promotional items for tech-oriented companies. If you’re in the auto business, consider air fresheners or road kits.
- Reflects Company Image. While it’s tempting to buy low-quality items for promotions, think about how it might badly reflect on your company. Instead, opt for good quality yet affordable promotional products that can last with your customers for a long time.
There are several suppliers in the market, so take the time to find a reliable one that can meet your company’s needs.
Marketing Events
One of the more surprising developments in the marketing landscape is the popularity of marketing events.
As more and more people mainly use online marketing, several start-up companies began to invite customers, followers, clients, and partners to meetings and gatherings. And the results speak for themselves.
Companies such as Slack showed enormous growth in a few years by utilising this effective traditional marketing method with their digital promotions.
The genius behind marketing events is that it allows the company to interact and engage with its customer base. Face-to-face interaction helps in forming a personal relationship, which is crucial for brand loyalty.
As more and more companies mainly do online marketing, holding a marketing event where people can connect in real life can help you stand out and reach out to more potential customers.
Clearly, marketing events are still well-among your marketing options.
In the end, always remember that other traditional marketing practices can still be effective when used right. Flyers acting as coupons, for example, may encourage more people to visit your shop and share it on social media.
The most important thing to do is to utilise different marketing strategies—whether traditional or online—together in the most efficient manner.
Through cross-channel marketing, you can surely reach a much wider audience and help your company grow.
