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The majority of information and tools we provide are designed to help
you find new customers on the Internet. But what about promoting your
advice "offline"? Personally selling your advice with
business cards or flyers is one effective method. Another powerful way to promote your listings is advertising
offline -- local newspapers, yellow pages, magazines, bus stops, etc. Advertising
outside of the Internet has several important advantages:
-
You can reach potential customers who don't spend
much time on the Internet, or don't have access at all.
-
You can reach potential customers during the time
when they aren't on the Internet. The average home Internet
user only spends 4 or 5 hours online. How can you reach them during
the other 160 hours in their week?
- Potential customers may be more inclined to seek your
advice when they aren't online.
Advertising Options Outside the Internet
Here a few ideas to consider:
-
Local community newspaper
These newspapers will have fewer subscribers, so
the cost of an ad will be lower.
-
Free weekly newspapers
Many larger cities have free weekly newspapers
that are more focused on entertainment and target younger age groups.
-
Yellow pages
This is the traditional place where consumers look
for products and services they need.
-
Local outdoor advertising: bus stops, benches,
billboards
Have you ever wondered why real estate agents and
doctors advertise on bus stops and city benches? They've learned it
can be an effective way to find new customers!
-
Mergemail: ValPak, Welcome Wagon
You've probably received these direct mail pieces
in your mailbox, full of coupons for local merchants. You can find
the companies online at www.valpak.com
or www.welcomewagon.com.
- Magazines or newspapers specific to your category
There are so many publications for all kinds
of interests out there! For example, a widely distributed astrology
publication is Dell Horoscopes.
Getting Started
There are no set rules or formulas for advertising
offline. The type of advertising that works for you will depend on the
type of advice you sell and the advertising opportunities available in
your community. To get started, we recommend you plan your advertising
with the following steps:
-
Who is your typical customer? Try to estimate their income level, education,
gender, and age. Where would they be likely to live? What would they
read? What types of activities do they do each day?
-
If you wanted to reach this typical customer with advertising,
where would you advertise? Make a list.
-
Purchase or view examples of advertising on your list
(e.g. purchase a local newspaper). Who is advertising in each? Is
anyone advertising similar advice or products to what you offer?
-
Contact the media company that sells the advertising
(e.g. the newspaper publisher). Ask them about advertising rates and
how many viewers or subscribers they have. Divide the advertising
rate by the number of viewers. How much will it cost you to reach
potential customers?
- Prioritize your list and try your top advertising options.
How many additional calls did you get?
What to Say in Your Advertising
Less is more when it comes to advertising. Tell each
potential customer why they should call you. Keep your sales pitch short
and sweet; the average person tends to have a short attention span.
But make sure you cover the basic information about your services on Keen:
With offline advertising, make sure you include 1-800-ASK-KEEN and your extension number. Potential customers might not have online access!
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