It’s the question that many believe dictates the future direction of marketing in the 21st century – which is more effective, offline marketing or online marketing?
Well, although it’s fair to surmise that with internet usage at an all-time high, online marketing is perhaps a far more attractive proposition for modern-day business, offline marketing can still prove just as important in attracting new clients. To learn more about these two very different marketing techniques read the guide below.
Offline Marketing: Advantages and Techniques
- Word Of Mouth Recommendations – These are often as effective as slick, web-based marketing campaigns, so any business needs to be wary of discounting the potential of innovative offline marketing techniques involving a positive affiliation for a brand.
- Visual Marketing – The oldest marketing technique in the book – posters, leaflets, brochures, direct mail and advertising hoardings can all help to subconsciously spread the message about your product or business. Placing small cards in waiting areas can also be a successful form of traditional marketing.
- Events and Shows – As direct as marketing can be – events and shows provide you with the opportunity to pitch your product directly at both the trade and consumer. Marketing at events and shows can also give you insight into the marketing techniques of rivals and their strengths and weaknesses.
- Product / Business Launches – A launch brings with it hype – and there’s little that can boost a product’s early sales more than hype.
- Collaborative Marketing – This can be particularly effective at a local level when you’re in the process of starting up a business – aligning your product with a popular local business can help spread your reputation amongst the community.
- PR – Public relations do not always need to be conducted online – speaking face-to-face or via telephone with the media can be just as effective as online campaigns.
However, there’s much to be said for the immense benefits offered by online marketing jobs and web marketing, as the guide below demonstrates.
Online Marketing: Advantages and Techniques
- Identifying your target market – the wonders of modern technology can make it far easier to carry out market research and discover your target audience. With web marketing, you can analyse the response to your product or campaign far more easily than with offline marketing.
- Encouraging new business through social networking – whether it’s Facebook, Twitter or blogging, social networking provides another avenue to get your message across about a business or product. Direct interaction with your client base means it’s easier than ever before to develop an understanding of the market.
- Keyword advertising and SEO – implementing this area of web marketing effectively will bring your target consumer directly to your website as they search online for a product related to your commercial interests.
- E-newsletters – make your target audience feel involved in the development of a project. Be warned, however, as only your core market is likely to be interested in reading regular newsletters – others may become irritated by having their inbox flooded with irrelevant information.
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