These days, whenever you look for marketing tips online, you’re bombarded with articles bestowing the virtues of social media marketing, content marketing and search engine optimisation. However, what about good old offline marketing? We live in a digital world. Despite this, it has only made us crave human interactions and experiences more than ever. That’s why we’re celebrating the rebirth of non-digital with a few strategies that can help you achieve a more engaging offline marketing experience.
Even today, 40 per cent of online consumers make a purchase after being influenced by an offline channel. A recent study also shows that traditional engagement channels, such as television and print, still offer the most reach.
So, with that said, what can your brand do to build a more meaningful and engaging offline marketing experience? Let’s take a look…
Photo by SPITALFIELDS_E1
1. Host an event
Throwing a party or inviting customers to the launch of a new product is a great way to get people in the door. Nearly eight in 10 millennials (those aged 21-35) say some of the best memories are from an event or live experience they have participated in. Meanwhile, 78 per cent are more inclined to become part of a brand they have some face-to-face interaction with. Millennials, more than any other generation, want to spend their money on experiences, not things. Hence, engaging in a little experiential marketing can be an extremely effective way of targeting that particular demographic.
2. Donate your space to local meet-ups or groups
If local business is important to you, then a great way to increase awareness and spread the word about your brand is to donate your space to a community group or local organisation for events, discussions and meetings. Reaching out to groups whose interests are aligned with your goals and offering them somewhere to meet is a simple and extremely cheap way to get word-of-mouth referrals. You could also encourage attendees to create social media posts to show the important part your business is playing in the local community.
3. Make your brand social media worthy
If you do your offline marketing right, your customers can take care of your online marketing for you. Creating unique experiences at trade events and exhibitions, whether it’s with impeccably designed displays or the use of cutting-edge technology such as giant iTabs, virtual reality (VR) headsets and interactive touch screen displays, can lead to free advertising in the form of Instagram and Twitter posts.
Done right, this type of immersive marketing experience produces higher levels of engagement. It also helps customers connect with your brand. Furthermore, immersive marketing doesn’t have to be expensive. The tech you need to create memorable experiences is available to rent on short- and longer-term deals.
4. Offer in-store incentives
When you’re competing with all the noise out there in the online world, it pays to incentivise your customers to come in-store. For example, offering loyalty points, store credit, discounts and other incentives can be an effective way of thanking your customers for coming to say hello. In fact, this can be one of the most effective marketing tips for brands that want to keep their customers in-store for longer and reward them for trying new things. This is another low-cost way to create a buzz as you only offer discounts on the products you sell.
5. Use digital signage
Digital displays are an effective way of creating a more engaging marketing experience both online and offline. Without a doubt, the beauty of digital signage is the fact it connects the offline and online worlds. It allows you to display your latest products and offers to customers in-store. However, it also gives you a chance to show off your social media content. You could, for example, display a feed from your Instagram and Twitter accounts. What’s more, there are also plenty of guides out there to help you find the optimum place to install your digital displays.
Are you ready to create a more engaging offline marketing experience? If so, take a look at our range of IT & AV equipment for hire. If you have any questions, just get in touch with our team.
