There’s no arguing that digital marketing is the way of the future. In fact, according to studies, chief marketing officers (CMOs) spend two-thirds of their marketing budgets on digital strategies.

However, this influx of dollars and expected continued popularity has led the digital space to become extremely crowded. Consumers are increasingly turned off by digital ads that can feel intrusive and even creepy. 

At a time when everybody else seems to be all about getting ahead in the digital marketplace, the key to success may lie in taking a step back, kicking it old-school, and focusing on traditional advertising.

If you’re still not convinced that offline advertising deserves at least a part of your marketing budget, stick with us. Here are seven extremely effective methods that you’ll definitely want to try!

#1 Traditional Advertising Technique: Television and Radio

Although digital marketing is the big dog in town, there’s still plenty to be said for television and radio advertising. Most people watch television, in fact, there are 119.9 million TV households in the U.S. alone. And 227 million people also still listen to AM/FM radio, primarily in their cars.

It’s easy to see that allocating a portion of your marketing plan to these media outlets can help you reach a large audience. And, since so many companies are leaning away from this type of advertisement, it’s an easier space for you to make a name for yourself. 

6 More Marketing Ideas You Need to Try

Although TV and radio ads continue to be an excellent option, many business owners just can’t stomach the expense. For this reason, they tend to lean towards other traditional marketing methods that are less expensive but possibly just as effective. Check out these six exciting ideas.

1. Word-of-Mouth Marketing

Word-of-mouth marketing is extremely effective and is also one of the least expensive traditional marketing methods. This strategy often focuses on online review sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook recommendations.

Since 80 percent of people ask for a personal referral before choosing a vendor, managing your online reputation is critical. Consider offering incentives to your happy clients to provide you with positive reviews on these types of sites. Also, always monitor your reviews and respond to negative comments immediately to reduce potential damage.

2. Vehicle Advertising

Wrapping your car with branded advertising is an excellent way to market your business. Every time you get into your car, you’re essentially a mobile billboard.

If you’re not ready to go for a full wrap yet, consider branded car decals. These are far less expensive and easier to remove if you change your branding or are no longer happy with the look.  

Driving a branded car also shows that you’re committed to your business and are proud to represent it no matter where you go. This can help with goodwill, especially in smaller communities where people are likely to start recognizing your business’s vehicles.

One word of warning, however. Make sure that anyone who drives your branded vehicles understands that they are representing your company when they’re behind the wheel. The last thing you want is road-rage or some other incident tarnishing the brand you’ve worked so hard to establish.

3. Printed Ads

Printed ads are another old-school marketing technique that isn’t going anywhere. In a world where you can read a book, search the internet, chat, and visit social media all from the same device, the distractions can get overwhelming. For this reason, many people are once again starting to lean towards printed media as their go-to source for information.

Magazine ads and newspaper flyers are an excellent way to capture the audience that’s simply exhausted by the constant flood of digital media. To succeed in this space, you’ll need eye-catching artwork and a tagline that hooks the reader, pulling them in.

4. In-Store Displays

If you’re selling a product that someone can purchase in a store, then eye-catching in-store displays is another great way to grab your customers’ attention.

Done right, these displays can stop shoppers in their tracks. Since they’ll already be in the store, it’s super-easy for them to pick up your product and toss it in the cart.

You make money, the store makes money, and the client gets instant gratification. That’s what we call a win-win!

5. Direct Mail

Did you know there were approximately 281 billion emails sent last year? When you’re looking at a huge number like that, it’s easy to see that you’ll have some competition while fighting for attention in someone’s inbox. 

On the other hand, there are far fewer businesses sending out direct mail. When your ad lands in someone’s physical mailbox, you’re more likely to at least get a glance. If your ad is well made with attention-grabbing visuals and headlines, you might even connect with your ideal customer.

6. Event Marketing

If there’s one surefire way to earn goodwill among your ideal customers, it’s by making your brand visible at the events they attend. This is especially true for local businesses who sponsor area charity and community events.

When you sponsor an event, you’re often able to include your logo on banners and signage, on the back of t-shirts, and more. You may also have the opportunity to included branded promotional items and/or discount coupons in swag bags that go out to all of the attendees.

When seeking out events to sponsor, look for those that fit well with your brand or that you are truly passionate about. This will help you make true connections with the right types of prospective customers.

Is Your Brand Positioned for Effective Marketing?

Now that you have some excellent ideas to incorporate traditional advertising into your marketing plan, you’ll want to make sure you have your brand positioning ready to go. This includes having a killer logo design.

Even if you already have a logo, giving it a refresh can breathe new life into your brand. Check out our tutorial to learn how you can make a new logo for free! Once your update is complete, you’ll be ready to move forward with your new and improved marketing plan. 

The average American now spends 24 hours each week perusing the internet. This includes social media, streaming services, and even the news. 

This leads many business and marketers to believe the majority of their resources should go toward digital marketing. 

Although digital formats seem to be taking over at an alarming rate, print is nowhere near dead. For businesses, print advertising still creates valuable space for gaining visibility. 

Without a comprehensive marketing plan, you could be losing out on potential customers and profits. 

Here’s how to create a marketing plan to include both digital and print platforms. 

Do Your Homework First 

Many businesses jump the gun and start on their marketing strategy before they’ve done their research. There are a few important aspects you need to consider before you start putting any plan into action. 

First, you need to know who you are and what you’re selling. Without an idea of what your product or service is, you’ll fail to communicate the message to potential customers. 

Sounds easy enough, right? 

These important tips will help you define your brand and communicate it to your customers. 

Compare Yourself to the Competition 

Next, figure out against whom you’ll be competing in the market. Check out similar businesses in your niche. 

What are they offering in their email newsletters? Do they use social media? What kind of content do they create and how often? 

Next, you’ll need to do a bit of honest reflection. Consider your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). 

This will help you determine how you can distinguish yourself from the competition and how to move forward. The idea is to carve out a space for yourself in the market. 

Understand Your Buyers 

If you don’t know anything about your potential buyers, you can’t expect to ever reach them. This is true for both digital and print marketing. 

Start by figuring out where your potential buyers get the majority of their information.

Are they more likely to read one magazine over another? 

Which corners of the internet do they inhabit the most? Do they spend a lot of time on Facebook, Instagram, or other social media platforms? 

Consider investing in advertisements in niche newspapers and magazines. These are especially powerful for people living in urban areas, as they give you a broader reach. 

For digital platforms, you’ll want to consider using inbound marketing tactics. This is the means by which you attract your customers to your content or site. 

You create internet content of value to your customers. Over time, you build trust and confidence in your brand. 

Define Your Short and Long-Term Goals 

After you complete your research, you should have a better idea of who you are and to whom you’ll be marketing. 

Your next step should be to define your marketing goals. These goals should be realistic but still challenging. You want to impose some pressure on your business to do better. 

Take a moment to consider the metrics you’ll use to measure your business’s growth over time. The two major metrics you’ll use are KPIs and ROIs. 

Understanding and tracking these metrics will help you evaluate and adjust your strategy. 

Key Performance Indicators

Different departments may have different KPIs, depending on individual roles and objectives. Overall, these indicators should align with overall business objectives. 

The most common KPIs you may track include sales revenue, leads, and cost per acquisition. 

You might consider traffic-to-lead ratios, organic traffic, conversion rates, and much more. 

Return on Investment 

Your marketing strategy, both print and digital, will cost your money. In order to make money, you need to spend money to get your brand out there. 

Your business should use ROI to understand the return on your investment relative to the original costs. 

Monitor and Adjust Your Goals 

Above all, your business goals should be in line with your overall mission. You should start with a couple of main goals with a few supporting goals. 

Try not to overwhelm yourself or your team. 

For example, you might set a target sales goal number for each day, week, month, and year. Sales goal numbers can be an ideal metric of marketing efficiency. 

Leveraging Print as a Digital Brand 

Some businesses shy away from print due to rising costs of production. However, some companies who started online have taken to physical print media. 

Most notably, these companies create regular content in the form of magazines. Magazines, though, are not the limit of print advertising. 

CNET is a popular online publisher for content related to consumer electronics and technology. They publish reviews, podcasts, news, and more. 

In 2014 the company launched a magazine under the same name with the same goals. However, the magazine offers more exclusive content for those customers who are looking for a little extra. 

Search Engine Marketing 

Your digital marketing strategy should always include search engine marketing (SEM). SEM is an umbrella term for internet marketing strategies with the aim of gaining visibility on the search engine results page (SERP). 

Some digital marketers distinguish between SEM and SEO (search engine optimization).

In general, SEM refers to paid search engine marketing, where companies pay to have their ads displayed. In contrast, SEO aims to gain organic traffic via the creation of quality and relatable web content. 

Both SEM and SEO rely on comprehensive keyword research. Creating content with targeted keywords is essential to generating traffic and driving sales. 

There is much to learn about SEM and SEO alike. It’s important to do your research and find a good agency to help you out. 

How to Create a Marketing Plan That Works 

Marketing is one of the most essential aspects of a business. Without customers, you can never expect to make any money. 

Are you wondering how to create a marketing plan that works? While digital marketing is of utmost importance, print still has its place. 

Are you looking for more ways to promote your brand and drive sales? Check out some marketing and promotion advice. 

If you want to boost business for your company or shop, you’ll have to get creative. Thankfully, it’s not as difficult as it sounds.

All you need to do is brainstorm some stellar sign design ideas with your team. Signage is an easy way to attract customers and get your brand out there.

Are you curious to learn more? Keep reading for some awesome tips about signage design that will get customers in your front door and skyrocket your sales. Let’s get started!

Solidify Your Logo First

Small business signs will get your business noticed, even if you’re just starting out. But to create effective signage, you’ll need a stellar logo first. After all, your logo is the most recognizable part of your branding.

If your company already has a logo, make sure you’re happy with it before you create new signage. If you’re starting from scratch, check out our blog for info about creating the perfect logo for any business.

Choose an Attractive Color

Color is an important part of marketing psychology. So, when your team is coming up with business sign ideas, consider which colors best reflect what you’re trying to communicate.

Whether you’re creating the main sign for your business, or a sign to advertise a sale or promotion with both words and images, the colors you choose will affect how effective it is.

Use Signs to Increase Visibility 

Is your business hard to find? Use signs to increase your visibility and decrease customer frustration. Placing clear signs around your area that point people in the right direction will help.

Focus on Contrast in Your Signage Design

If your indoor or outdoor signage design is too busy and complicated, it won’t attract anyone’s eye as they walk or drive by. Make sure the colors you use contrast each other in a clear and simple way. Sticking to two or three colors is a great way to achieve this.

Contrasting with clarity will communicate the message you want, whether you’re directing customers toward your business’ parking machines or foot traffic into your shop.

Put a Fun Sign in Your Window

Are you afraid your business is looking a little stale? If that’s the case, then it’s time to have some fun.

Signs are a great way to communicate your sense of humor to potential customers. Use your whole team to brainstorm out-of-the-box storefront sign ideas. You might just surprise yourself! 

Take This as a Sign

Why wait to start boosting your business? Set yourself up for success today by using effective signage design to improve traffic flow.

For the best results, focus on using colors that match your company’s vibe and message. Be sure to contrast these colors appropriately and to keep your signage simple. Use these signs to show off your sense of humor and to boost your visibility. 

Need help coming up with a recognizable logo to put on your signage? We’re here to help. Check out our online logo maker for great results!

Does your store window use the same tired props every season? Are you stuck for ideas to tempt new customers over the threshold?

It can be tough to know how to attract customers to your store with a new display every month. When you factor in the changes to in-store displays, signage, and advertising, that’s a lot of visual merchandising techniques you need to consider.

Here’s how to rejuvenate your store displays and boost footfall through your door.

How to Attract Customers to Your Store in Four Easy Steps

Visual merchandising is huge business for a reason. However, there are some easy and affordable tactics you can use to spruce up your displays without spending the annual marketing budget in one go.

1. Get All Staff Involved

A fresh perspective could be all it takes to shake up your displays and take them from drab to fab. Give each team member the opportunity to come up with an idea for a seasonal display. You could even run a competition for the best one!

Research your products and ideal customer online, too. Use social media to look at how items are used – and photographed – by the type of person you’d like to shop in your store.

This will give you great store display ideas that’ll attract the right people through the door.

2. Offer Temptation (Instead of Putting the Best Goods on Display)

You want people to walk through the door and continue to enjoy what they see! Many store displays use the best products available, which leads to disappointment when customers walk further into the store.

Tempt customers in with a few key items, and use in-store displays to keep them visually entertained and interested. Highlight key areas in the store with marketing solutions like branded flags or roller banners to make important products and promotions completely unmissable.

Grouping products together – such as a cookery book, a mixing bowl, and a designer apron – will boost additional sales, too. Customers are more likely to buy additional related items if it is easy to do so. 

3. Use Digital Signs for Real-Time Updates

Digital signs can be as simple as hooking up a large TV screen to an app like OptiSigns Digital Signage & Instagram. Choose your hashtag or chosen topic, connect your TV to the app, and that’s it!

A stream of related content will continue to update and show off your products, or generate ideas of how your items can be used in a lifestyle setting.

For example, if you want to sell yoga mats, you could use a digital sign to run a stream of #YogaStretch Instagram posts in the background. Customers will then easily visualize how the product could be used and this will encourage them to buy.

4. Subconsciously Guide Your Customer on a Journey

Lead your customer from window front to interior display, to wall display, to product racks. This will build a subconscious journey that, with each step, builds a customer’s commitment to purchase.

For example, use spotlights at different levels to lead the eye from one product to another. Strip lighting on the floor will create a pathway, while soft lighting in fitting rooms is enticing and flattering.

If you’re using mannequins in the window have their head turned towards a product. The same goes for printed signs and advertising: use models who are looking at the product, not out at the customer. This has been proven to boost product sales!

Consider Your Branding, Too

Knowing how to attract customers to your store is more than creating intriguing shop displays. A strong brand personality will influence the colors, fonts, and even photography style you use to entice people to buy from you.

A good brand stems from a great logo. It should encompass your key colors, fonts, and that all-important personality that you want to convey. Have a go on our free logo maker tool to see how your updated brand could rejuvenate your stagnant displays!