Generating Online Traffic - Offline

Internet marketers often focus so much of their time and effort on
finding online methods for generating traffic to their website that
they often overlook the offline techniques that can drive traffic as
well. Your goal obviously is to get people to your site to learn more
about your product or service. But, what if they aren't even online to
begin with. How do you spread the work about your site? Consider these
offline marketing methods when developing your overall marketing
strategy.Word of Mouth: You are the best person to market your site.
Your passion for your product or service will come through when you
talk to people. Use every opportunity (without going overboard) to
mention what you do and suggest people visit your site for more
information.Business Cards: You meet people everywhere you go and a
business card is a convenient way to provide your contact information.
Make sure your website is prominently listed, as well as any free
offer that they can get at your site.Bumper Stickers/Vehicle Magnets:
Granted everyone may not want to drive around with your website listed
on their vehicle, but you can. Think about how many people see your
vehicle each day. Even if you work at home, you still probably drive
to the grocery store, chauffeur the kids to school, and run errands on
the weekends.Premiums/Give-Aways: If your business frequents trade
shows, keep a supply of promotional items on hand to give to
prospects. This can include pens, post-it-notes, t-shirts, hats, or
anything that relates directly to your business. If you can't afford
enough to give to everyone, hold a drawing for a few larger prizes. Be
sure to collect contact information on the entry slips - these folks
are now a new prospecting source for you.Offline Ads: Consider running
an ad in the newspaper or trade journal, whatever is appropriate for
your business. Again, mention a free offer that they can get when they
visit your site.Expert Advice: If your product or service has a unique
angle or target market, contact a radio station to be a guest.
Producers are always looking for fun and interesting things to bring
to their listeners. The same is true for print magazines and
newspapers. Write an eye-catching press release and submit it to
various media outlets that match your target market.A well-rounded
marketing plan will include both offline and online marketing
strategies to drive traffic to your website. Test one or two ideas and
monitor the results. Tweak the process until you see positive results.
Add new marketing items to the mix on a regular basis to always keep
fresh leads coming in and watch your website traffic grow.