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You've taken
your business to the Internet, developed
a web site that SELLS and you've automated your
sales
process. So, where is all of the traffic? How
come your
hit counter isn't going through the roof, and
where are
the sales?
Now, it's time to really focus on attracting traffic.
And,
the key here is "targeted traffic."
You are going to get a crash course in attracting
that
target market where they spend most of their time....
offline. That's right, no matter how many people
are
online, they still spend the majority of their
time
offline, and part of your marketing campaign should
be spent finding that offline traffic and getting
them to your web site!
The Internet is hot, getting hotter, and the same
person
that may not pick up the phone to call you about
your
business, can't wait to check out your web site
and see
what you are offering.
Here are some proven offline ways to spread the
word -
Word of Mouth - This is still the best form of
advertising.
Tell everyone you know about your new website
and ask
them to take a look and give you feedback. Over
the
holidays, when you send out greeting cards, gifts,
etc.,
include a blurb about your new web site and your
new Internet
business. Have some postcards printed and send
them to
everyone.
Flyers - This is a low cost way to get traffic
to your site
and to test the effectiveness of your advertising.
Play
around with the content on flyers, and then pass
these out
everywhere. Check on the cost to run a flyer insert
in a
local, neighborhood paper. Make sure you have
a proven,
effective flyer first, though.
Networking Events - Check with your local Chamber
of
Commerce and your newspaper for regular Networking
events
where business professionals come together. This
is a great
way to meet some people, advertise your business
and get some
other ideas. The people that attend these meetings
come with
a business mindset. Have a thirty second "elevator
speech"
prepared, designed to tell people what you do,
and bring plenty
of business cards and flyers.
Business Cards - A well-designed business card
can spread
the news like wild fire, if you get the word out.
Develop
some "sizzle cards" that contain very little information.
Just your web site address, and a catch phrase
or slogan,
and maybe an appealing graphic. In this case remember,
less
is definitely more! When you are out and about,
hand one to
everyone you meet.
Press Releases/Offline Articles - Another very
effective,
no-cost method of advertising your business and
web site.
Most newspapers are looking for small "filler"
articles that
can fit into the white spaces of their newspaper.
Nothing
ventured, nothing gained. Give it a shot. Remember
that if the
paper prints your release or article, it's almost
an implied
endorsement in the readers' mind!
Advertising - Let's not forget the power of offline
advertising for getting those business prospects
online!
Shop around for specials on running your ad more
than once.
In advertising, the customer must see your ad
as many as 9
times before they will buy.
I hope that gives you some ideas on ways to get
the word
out while you are Offline. Think about where your
business
prospects work, play, go to relax, etc., Then
target an
offline campaign that will find them and compel
them to
"Dial Up" and check you out!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jackie
Ulmer, a veteran Home Based Business Owner,
has coached and trained thousands of representatives
both inside and outside of her sales organization.
One of her primary goals is to help others succeed.
She can be reached through her web site at
http://www.streetsmartwealth.com/
Subscribe to her FREE newsletter by email to
mailto:streetsmartwealth@quicktell.net
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