Old School Marketing Techniques to Use in Your Hernando, MS Business

With the internet being so prevalent in our lives, it’s easy for small business owners to forget that social media is not the only way to reach an audience. For most of us, the “old-fashioned” methods remain just as relevant as they did in the days before Facebook and Instagram. Today, the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce shares a few tips to help you formulate an effective marketing strategy both on and off-line.

Knowing Your Customers

First, and most importantly, you need to understand who your customers are and what they want from you. If you’re not quite sure, ask. This is the perfect opportunity to get new customers and use digital channels like social media to ask your customers en masse what products and services will make their lives easier. Once you have this answer, you can then look at ways to get their attention to let them know that you have what they want.

Offline Marketing That Leads to Online Success

Even if your business is run primarily online, there are plenty of ways you can capture people’s attention when they are not looking at their devices. A few options here include:

• Billboards. Although Americans are spending less time on the road since the beginning of the pandemic, we still drive to drop our children off at school, get to work, and for recreation. On any given day, there are likely thousands of drivers on the interstates in your hometown. Adding a billboard ad to their commute can help them keep your business in their minds. You may even be able to find a digital billboard that lets you choose the times your ad is displayed.

• A brand update. If your brand hasn’t had a refresh in a while, that can also help bring attention to your company. According to Brand Fabrik, a simple refresh might mean a small tweak to your current logo. You may also update your colors or change fonts. It does not have to be a huge change, just enough for people to stop and take a second look.

• Text messaging. In the world of marketing, email and telephone calls used to be king. Not today. Texting is more private and less intrusive. Client Chat Live also acknowledges that people tend to return text messages much faster than an email; 90 seconds versus 90 minutes, respectively.

• Coupons. Coupons remain as popular today as ever. There is lots of psychology behind this, including that people simply feel smarter when they save money. Something else to consider here is that the shoppers with the most money tend to be the ones to use coupons the most. A small percent off of a high-value (and high profit) item might be one of the best ways to sell more of your most expensive goods and services. 

• Birthday cards. Birthday cards work well as an extension of your customer service efforts. When you take the time to handwrite a birthday wish and drop it in the mail, you show your customers you care. Further, it is just another opportunity to put your name in front of your customers.
  
  For a fun and unique option, work with a graphic designer to create a few custom card designs. When you get a mockup from your designer, you can try using a free PDF editor to add comments to specific places when you are unable to meet face-to-face. Plus, you get a digital record of the feedback you’ve given and the changes that have been made.

• Networking. Networking is an excellent way to expand your reach. Even if you aren’t networking with customers, it never hurts to attend events through your local chamber so that you can meet and mingle with other business owners. You never know when an opportunity will arise for one of your professional acquaintances to send you a new customer.

• Giveaways. Giveaways and promotions (whether at your storefront or online) are a great way to improve product exposure and generate leads. Further, it will help you engage your existing followers and, if done correctly, attract new customers that are interested in more than just a freebie.

Offline Marketing That Leads to Online Success

All of the above (old-school) marketing tactics easily pair well with your digital efforts. However, they help remind your customers that you exist in real life and not just online. More importantly, the competition is likely overlooking these simple strategies, and you can take advantage of this oversight to ensure that you stand out. Adding small details, like custom designed cards, can make a big difference in customer retention, so think about what your audience appreciates and do your best to put it into action.

Connect with and learn from other local business leaders by joining the Hernando Main Street Chamber of Commerce.