Most brands forget that content marketing is not just done on the Internet. Content marketing has existed for around 100 years, way before the computer or the Internet was invented. In those days, content marketing consisted of publishing magazines and articles in newspapers. However, one of the most popular and successful forms of content marketing used to be mail-order catalogues. Montgomery-Ward and Sears are the two of the most famous companies with long running catalogs.
Although online content marketing has garnered much importance these days, it can be complemented by suitable offline content marketing solutions. In a world where almost every brand is depending on online content marketing to meet specific goals, offline marketing can give your company an edge over the competition.
Make your customers feel exclusive
If you can make your customers feel special, then they will definitely flock to your brand instead of your competitors’. You can do this with the help of an offline marketing strategy. Direct mail is still a viable option these days. Why not send your treasured customers leaflets and brochures made exclusively for them via direct mail? You can offer your customers special offers, discounts, prizes, etc. via such offline marketing.
To truly integrate your offline and online content marketing efforts, you can add QR codes to all your offline content marketing material that your customers can scan with their smartphones so that they are taken to your website or any other landing page of your choice. Offline marketing is a great way to point your customers to the right online content.
Fill your retail outlet or physical store with offline content
If your business has a brick and mortar location or many such locations, why only break your head worrying about how to make your website look good? Your customers will also be judging your brand on how the physical stores or outlets look and if they do not measure up to the expectation that your website has set, then it can put customers off. There are many small businesses like restaurants, bakeries, cafés, etc. that have very quirky and interesting content inside their brick and mortar locations.
The interesting history of particular food items, the brand itself, delicious recipes, funny anecdotes, silly taglines, etc. can all be printed out and pasted on the walls of your store. Customers who walk in can enjoy themselves by reading such offline content and you can even ask them to visit your website if they want more information.
Conferences and seminars
This is one of the most effective forms of offline content marketing that allows brands to connect with other brands as well as their customers. You can either host conferences and seminars yourself or you can be part of a much bigger conference or trade show where you are allowed to set up your own booth and display your products. Apart from the seminars and presentations that your brand will be able to present to others, you can display other forms of offline content all across your booth that will go a long way to promote your brand. Conferences and seminars are also a great way to establish authority and make your brand a more recognized face in the industry.