The digital revolution is not only underway. It has continued to dominate the marketing and advertising industries. But even in this age of the Internet and social media, traditional marketing methods are not dead. In many ways, they have carved a niche in this booming industry. Although not all small businesses can afford TV and radio broadcasts, there are many ways to market products and services traditionally.
Promotional Merchandise
Admit it: There is one or two shirts in your closet that bear the name of a local grocery or hardware store. Promotional merchandise remains to be one of the most successful promotional advertising methods in Australia and other countries. Research shows that it has a 57% effectivity rate, with T-shirts and mugs as the most functional, cost-efficient, and successful.
Billboards
These have come a long way. They are now more image-focused than text. They are larger and more dynamic. These will never be obsolete because of their wide audience reach and ability to break geographical boundaries. Imagine yourself stuck in traffic. You can’t help noticing the large billboards along the highways. This is how effective billboards are.
Direct Mail
It used to be called snail mail, but it has been repackaged as direct mail. This kind of advertising is more personal. It speaks directly to the receiver of the mail. Research finds that direct mail is easier for your target market to understand. It also has a greater influence over the recipients.
Remember that digital development has brought with it fear of viruses and malware that lead to identity theft. People are warier of opening emails with unknown senders. But this same fear is absent in direct mail. Yes, your recipients can throw away your letters, but there’s a bigger chance of them opening these letters for fear of missing out on important documents and information.
Flyers and Brochures
Handing out flyers and brochures in malls are still incredibly effective. This is the same principle why business cards will never be obsolete. This method is especially effective when a company needs to advertise promotions and discounts. This is akin to face-to-face interaction with a customer. The business representative has the power to directly promote a product or service to the consumers.
Cold Calling
Believe it or not, as annoying as it may be for you, cold calling is still effective in marketing and advertising a business. It is especially important if you are trying to target the Baby Boomers or the Silent Generation. That’s why every business needs to hire a reputable call answering service provider to generate leads.
Salespeople
Customer service is still critical in this age of digital media. What better way to provide such quality service than by training your salespeople. Marketing to customers is an art. It requires training and experience. People still go to malls, contrary to what online stores want to tell you. In this way, salespeople are critical for the success of brick-and-mortar stores.
With the right marketing strategies, there is no wrong or bad product. You can market any kind of product or service as long as you stay true to the marketing principle of knowing your audience. A mix of traditional and modern marketing methods is still the best strategy.