People are so focused on promoting their websites on the web
nowadays that many are overlooking the original marketing
medium?the offline world! Many tried and true methods of
advertising exist for brick and mortar businesses that could
just as easily be applied to online businesses. These methods
have been developed over hundreds if not thousands of years?what
cavemen used to sell I have no idea?but the point is still
valid. Business promotion existed long before the internet. So
what methods of marketing in the ?real? world can an online
business owner apply to the cyber world?
One extremely effective method is brand marketing through
merchandise. Think about it?before the web existed, how did
businesses like real estate companies market their brands? One
way they did it was to give stuff away?a marketing trick that is
still being applied effectively today. How many pens, pencils,
and magnets do you have lying around the house, stuck to the
refrigerator, placed behind your ear?wherever?that bear some
company?s logo or name? If you have ever worked in an office
environment doubtless you would have noticed several different
slogans on a hodgepodge collection of pens (some that might even
still work) and pencils collected over time from seminars,
informational fairs, trade events, etc. Brick and mortar
businesses are doing it, so why aren?t you?
If you don?t want to market your website on writing utensils or
magnets you have several alternatives. Other products that work
well for marketing include coffee mugs, travel-and-go cups,
mouse pads, bumper stickers, key tags, and stress balls. Let?s
not forget another great place to show off your website?on your
body! No, I?m not talking about taking drastic measures like
tattooing your company URL on your forehead. Clothing
advertisements are the name of the game. Clothing is a wonderful
way to advertise your website, especially if you have a funny
slogan or eye-catching logo. You can have your website address
printed on hats, shirts, umbrellas, tote bags, and all sorts of
wearable accessories. The best thing about advertising on
clothing is that the advertisement is mobile?it goes wherever
you go. The next time you get dressed to go out why not wear
something that promotes your business? Don?t forget that you can
give away things as well?imagine a hundred walking billboards
for your website!
There are plenty of companies that will apply your brands to
products. The cost is cheap and the rewards can be high, so what
are you waiting for? Look through your local phonebook or do an
internet search for companies that print to merchandise and then
go get branding!
Copyright 2005 Jon Castle
This article can be reprinted freely as long as the author
bylines are included.
About the author:
We are each a single drop of rain strafed by the wind to merge
with other droplets and thereby form an ocean. For more
unconventional home business wisdom, home business
opportunities, and more please visit Jon Castle?s website
www.AmericanHouseDad.com.
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