The first paragraph of this article serves as a summary of the content. Many online businesses often restrict themselves to digital advertising, overlooking the potential of offline marketing strategies. However, the most successful companies are those that can transcend this boundary and establish a presence both online and offline. By finding innovative ways to expose potential customers to their brand outside of the digital realm, these companies ensure that their brand name is remembered when customers turn to their search engines.
A significant number of internet businesses limit their advertising efforts to the digital world. However, the most successful companies are those that can transcend this boundary and establish a presence both online and offline. By finding innovative ways to expose potential customers to their brand outside of the digital realm, these companies ensure that their brand name is remembered when customers turn to their search engines.
There are numerous ways to create brand recognition for your company. Here are three techniques that have proven to be highly effective:
One innovative method is to have customers wear your advertisements. Logos and slogans printed on clothing items such as shirts, hats, and even underwear have become a popular trend in advertising. These items, known in the advertising industry as "wearables," can be a powerful tool for brand exposure.
With the increasing number of companies allowing casual dress days, there is a great opportunity to get your wearable message in front of a large number of people in a specific industry. Prospects are much more likely to consider and purchase business services and products if they encounter your ad message while they are at work.
You can find suppliers for these items in your local yellow pages under "advertising specialties." If there isn't a supplier near you, a quick search on any search engine with the terms "advertising, wearable" will yield dozens of results.
As urban areas continue to expand, many people find themselves commuting longer distances to work. This has made vehicle advertising an effective low-cost way to advertise. You can use magnetic signs, window stickers, or have your message painted on the side of your vehicle. Check the Yellow Pages for a printer, sign company, or banner maker who can provide your signs. Websites like SignsQuick and 4AllSigns also offer these services.
Because we often drive along with the same group of cars for significant distances, people can see your sign for 15 to 20 minutes, turning your signs into a prolonged highway infomercial.
Billboards are a classic way of reaching customers in a specific neighborhood. You can target certain routes to work, residential communities, or even workers at specific plants. Not all states and communities allow billboards, so you may have to use posters or small signs, which can be even more effective in areas that don't have billboards.
Keep your billboard message simple. Detailed copy will not be understood at 70 miles per hour. Instead, use a photo to help tell your story. A headline, graphic, and two bullet points are generally the most you can effectively use.
Major corporations are always interested in creating "Brand Recognition" for their products. That's why you see so many commercials that don't seem to be selling much of anything -- they are simply trying to get you to remember the NAME so that it will come to mind when you make your next purchase. As a small-business owner, you can do the same thing by being creative with your advertising and thinking outside the computer "box.
