How to Promote Internet Marketing Services… Offline

For most internet marketers, the web is familiar territory. You may be more comfortable competing for front page placement on Google or growing your business via social media. Luckily for you, most internet marketers feel the same way.

This means that there is an untapped market in your local area… but you have to go offline to take advantage of it. This is unfamiliar territory and you might not know where to begin.

Why Going Offline is Worth the Effort

Just like the web is familiar territory for you, it is unfamiliar territory for many locally oriented businesses and organizations. They aren’t going to look online for somebody to build them a web presence. In fact it might not even occur to them, but if it has they won’t know where to begin. What to ask for. Who to look for.

That’s why you have to be “that guy”. You have to put yourself out there and be the expert that local prospects will seek out when they are ready to go online. You also have to take the initiative to teach this audience about the benefits of an online presence.

Note- you also have to know that local businesses should be marketed differently on the web. Less is more when it comes to social media. Phone numbers and zip codes (in text) are more powerful than keywords in meta data. The specifics are very important to understand, so you don’t end up being “that guy” who creates a mess instead of ROI.

Once you have a clear understanding of the best internet marketing strategies for locally focused brands, then you can take it offline to promote your services as a web marketing specialist. (Ironic, huh?)

The Original Social Networking

LinkedIn is the go-to for B2B services on the web. In the “real world”, the equivalent is to join your local Chamber of Commerce. And get involved with your community.

Volunteerism is a fundamental way to build a name for your brand, and to make new friends. If nothing else, you could stop at becoming a Chamber of Commerce member. You’ll probably be the only “internet marketing specialist” listed on their directory, so there’s that.

Always Be Ready

Stock up on business cards or useful giveaways like pens or hand sanitizer. Always be ready to introduce yourself (and what you do) to anyone who might be interested. It could be the manager of that amazing pizza shop, or it could be the man next to you in the waiting room at the dentist. Not that you should always be walking around telling everyone you see what you do and waiting for a bite, but when it does come up you should have something to give for that person to remember you by. Don’t ever say “find me online” because—as an internet marketer—you should know better!

Now design, brand, and relevance are also key with any handouts but that’s another set of topics all on its’ own.

Host a Seminar or Workshop

As an expert, you should have something worth teaching. Educational Seminars are a great way to establish authority and build a name for yourself.