Offline Advertising Tips

Since most of us are always online and our business is online, we often forget the importance of advertising our business offline. Print advertising can be one of the best forms of advertising for your buck. Why? Well, with print advertising it's in the form of hard copy and is always in view of your potential customers. Thats just one small example. Think about your daily newspaper...try hiding that in your email box! The following are just a few hints and ideas for you to consider before you place an offline advertising campaign.

--->Expiration Dates

You want to be sure to include an expiration date so that the possible customer sees that there is a limited time BUT don't make the date to end too soon. Why? You want to give an "extended expiration date" on printed material especially because for one thing printed material has a chance to "lie around" longer, it may not be the "right time" for the possible customer OR they may know of someone else that may be interested in what you're offering. Give them time to pass it on or "come back later".

--->Track your ads

If you have anyway of tracking your ads, use it. A couple of ways you can do this is:

1)Have the customer email/call/mail their orders to you.

2)Have a special code they need to use to receive the special. Use a different code for each advertising campaign you use. If you don't have the ability to use coupon codes you might want to check out PayCodes.com which is a new service developed by PayPal to help you in this situation.

--->Types of Ads to Generate Interest

Freebies! Everyone loves freebies!

1) Offer the prospective customer a free gift with their purchase.

2) Have them email/call/mail for a free sample.

3) When you send them their free sample, send them a card for another free sample to give to a friend.

4) Have the ad offer free shipping and handling.

5) Offer a "Buy One Get One Free" Promotion.

6) Have them contact you for a free catalog.

Discounts.

1) Offer a discount (ex. 10%, 15%, 20% off) for their first purchase.

2) Offer one product at full price and the second ½ off.

Drawings/Contests.

1) Have them email/call/mail you for an entry to a free contest. Use your products as the prize. (Be sure to offer an additional discount for the winner.)

* You've gain interest, now what?

Once you've had someone contact you with some interest in your business/products be sure to keep in contact back.

* First of all reply to them in a timely manner and be sure to thank them for their interest.

* Next, offer them yet another form of a discount.

* If they are requesting a free sample, free catalog, entry into a contest or any other form of interest offer them a discount of 10% off their next order.

* If you have a newsletter/ezine make sure you ask them if you can add them to your mailing list to receive announcements of discounts/specials/contests first hand.

* When you've sent off their free sample/free catalog/order/prize be sure to contact them again in a few days. Let them know that you wanted to make sure they received it and that everything was okay. Ask them for any thoughts/questions about it. Let them know that they can contact you for anything.

About the Author
Anita DeFrank a WAHM of two and co-owner of DirectSalesHelpers.com which was created specifically for those in Direct Sales. Do you find yourself asking how to make more sales? The above is only a small taste of the wealth of information available at http://www.directsaleshelpers.com. Stop on in if you're serious about your direct sales company and want to know how you can make more sales.

---

How To Make Your Advertising Work!

Many believe that when it comes to advertising, it's a... Read More

How to Write Ads that Pull Orders

If your ads aren't paying off then you need this... Read More

Advertising on a Budget -- Part 3: Frequency, Frequency, Frequency

This is the third article of a three-part series. I'm... Read More

10 Reasons Why Your Company Needs Custom Invitations

I am always amazed when I hear about companies who... Read More

The Graphic Problem

Digital printing has revolutionized the sign industry. Current printers can... Read More

4 Ways to Double the Power of Your Business Cards

Sure, everyone needs business cards. But why not make your... Read More

Is there anything new under the sun? Heres how to find out if your bright idea is unique.

"There's nothing new under the sun" is probably the... Read More

16 Ways to Make Your Business Cards Unforgettable

Every time you hear someone say "May I have one... Read More

Change, or Reinforce?

Do you know about the distinction - and it's a... Read More

Improve Your Promotional Flyers And Improve Sales

Admittedly, I have not seen your advertising flyer. Then again,... Read More

Direct Response Advertising; Radio vs TV

Radio advertising vs. television advertisingMany new advertisers assume that they... Read More

How to Use the 3 Most Common Direct Marketing Measurements to Increase Your Profits!

John Wanamaker, a 19th century entrepreneur, once famously made the... Read More

If You Want To Get More Customers, Heres 10 Powerful Stories To Improve Your Ads

Remember, as a child lying in bed and listening to... Read More

Small Business Image

The single easiest way to increase sales is to look... Read More

How To Track Your Advertising Like A Hawk

Tired of pouring endless money into advertising? Do you wonder... Read More

Ten Ways To Sell Advertising Space Fast

1. Give your customers a discount when they spend over... Read More

Should You Advertise on TV?

When people discover my background in advertising, the questions flow.... Read More

Mobile Detailers; Customer Window Displays

Mobile detailers have all types of customers, many of whom... Read More

Why People Fail in Mail Order

Mail order is a very complicated business. Every phase must... Read More

Advertising Through Moms

Moms have a very powerful influence on what their families... Read More

Double the Effectiveness of Your Company Brochure

Let's face it - most brochures go straight into the... Read More

The SKINNY on Radio Advertising

From meager beginnings in 1920, radio has grown with us... Read More

80% of All Advertising Is Wasted Due To This Common Mistake

You're flipping through this publication as you wait for your... Read More

How to Breathe New Life into Your Advertising Campaign

If you haven't made many sales or perhaps none at... Read More

Moving Message Board

Moving message boards are used in the areas where continuous... Read More

Send em to the White Pages

Your business is listed in the Yellow Pages whether you... Read More

Take Advantage of Your Foes

Let's take an example that is easy to check: I... Read More

When Times Get Tough... or When to Really Advertise

The Pundits say the economy is slowly, but surely, recovering.... Read More

Media, the Internet, Yellow Pages, and Your Business

If you are reading this article, chances are you could... Read More

Magnetic Signs: Where Do They Work Best?

Recently, a woman called to ask about replacing a magnetic... Read More

Why Your Ads Aren?t Working

The president of a manufacturing company recently asked me, "Why... Read More

Internet Advertising: How To Use The Golden Rule To Enrich Yourself.

What is the golden rule of internet advertising?Give, so you... Read More

Yellow Page Advertisers: Your Calls are Going to Decrease - Heres the Remedy

Response rates to Yellow Page advertising are decliningThere's no getting... Read More