Online business? Get offline.
There are no shortage of people telling small business owners that they need to have an online presence - myself included. It’s simpler and more cost-effective than ever, arguably more fun and certainly an increasing necessity for many (and an advantage for the rest).
But, what about the online business owners, developers, bloggers and designers - should they get offline? It’s appealing to think of the fabled bedroom blogger, building a mini-empire without ever meeting a customer, subscriber or partner (of the business variety) face-to-face. But is that really true? Or even something you’d want?
Professional bloggers (and developers …) go to conferences, conventions, breakfast events and speaking engagements all the time - and frequently blog about all the people they met there. Simply put, even if their entire business is based online, there must be some inherent value in getting out and meeting people.
I’d say there certainly is. In as much as social media shows us that people love to connect and share, there is still a big, wide physical world out there and as it turns out, people love to connect and share there as well.
Bloggers with business cards
As a perfect examples, in a post from SOBCon Chris Garret talks about being the only blogger without business cards. Problogger lists business cards as one of the 7 most effective offline tools for promoting your blog. Brian Yerkes has a whole gallery of business cards of bloggers. (And a big thanks to Randa Clay’s blog for those great links).
If these experienced people where truly ‘online only’, what would be the point of all these business cards. They realise the point of building connections, contacts and relationships online and off.Â
Similarly, why would people pay to hear a blog expert talk in person when they can simply read their posts for free? Because they are interested in the person and their opinions, and the experience of seeing them live, not just in the format in which the info is presented. (Think CDs and MP3s vs. a live concert - same ‘info’ different medium)
The point No. 1: Don’t ignore simple offline strategies just because you’re building an online business - it’s the message, not just the medium, that matters.Â
The point No. 2: Remember to find ways of building offline relationships with customers, subscribers and potential supporters as well.
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NB: And yes, that is my business card at the top - you like?
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2 comments
[...] your business is primarily online, taking your marketing offline could give you the edge over the competition who are busy gobbling up your Adwords [...]
Thanks for the mention!! All the best
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