101 Ways to Market Your Business – Both Online and Offline

With the average consumer coming into contact with more than 1,500 marketing messages every day, it’s not enough to run a Facebook ad and hope potential customers see it. If you want to become a top-of-mind brand for your customers, you’ve got to make sure you’re reaching them in multiple ways—without coming across heavy-handed.

With that in mind, here’s a massive list of ways to market your business—some you can do immediately, while others will take more planning. But all of them will help you reach your customers where they are, whether that’s in the digital space, or out in the real world.

1. Update your website: make sure all your contact info is correct, your imagery is current, and your social media links are working.
2. Add a blog to your website and post regularly, even if it’s just once a month.
3. Join your local chamber of commerce. It’s a perfect place for networking with local community members.
4. Create unique business cards and hand them out whenever you can.
5. Give people two business cards—one to keep and one to give out.
6. Write articles related to trending topics in your field, and submit them to industry publications.
7. Speak on local and regional panels related to your subject area.
8. Use your professional email address when emailing absolutely anyone.
9. Add a signature block with your contact information and social profiles on all outgoing e-mails.
10. Comment on articles or posts shared on social media by other thought leaders in your field. Make sure your commentary adds value to the post.
11. Offer yourself as a resource to local reporters looking for expert opinions—you can sign up as a Source on the Help a Reporter Out, or HARO, database.
12. Pitch story ideas related to your industry to local newspaper and magazine reporters.
13. Send out a regular email newsletter.
14. Create free e-books and reports and post them for download to your site.
15. Appear as a guest on radio programs, both online and offline.
16. Write guest articles for colleagues’ blogs, newsletters, or publications.
17. Make sure all your friends and family know exactly what it is you do.
18. Have a creative and clear answer to “What do you do?”
19. Offer to teach a course at your local community college in your area of expertise.
20. Use a laptop sticker with your business name on it, and hand them out to clients.
21. Learn to write great headlines for articles and emails.
22. Publish case studies after finishing successful engagements.
23. Ask for referrals from past clients.
24. Make sure all your children’s teachers know what you do.
25. Send out holiday cards with your business information on it.
26. Register with local associations that are related to your profession.
27. Place social ads to the degree your budget will allow.
28. Speak at local universities and colleges.
29. Leave copies of your reports and articles on airplanes. (Best to tuck them into the airline’s in-flight magazine).
30. Write white papers and include a link to a landing page for download in your email newsletters.
31. Offer free, practical advice via your blog.
32. Write letters to editors on topics related to your industry.
33. Attend industry conventions and seminars.
34. Attend industry conventions and seminars that your target market attends. For example, if you’re an IT consultant, you could attend the IBM Think conference.
35. Staff local charity events. Sign on as a volunteer and don’t forget your business cards!
36. Advertise in local school and church newsletters.
37. Write and send out press releases for every notable development—the acquisition of a big client, hiring of new staff members, etc. Don’t ignore local newspapers.
38. Post your business cards on bulletin boards.
39. Donate magazines and books to libraries. Write in your firm’s information on the inside cover.
40. Remind clients of important dates. If you are an accounting firm, be sure to remind your clients when their taxes are due!
41. Ask current clients how you can improve. Then, implement their suggestions.
42. Forward articles of potential interest to your clients.
43. Get a bumper sticker with your business name on it.
44. Write letters of congratulations to other local business owners on their success.
45. Play up your strengths! Tell your clients about the one-on-one attention they will receive.
46. Look for free listings in various directories, like Google Business Listings. Get listed in as many as possible.
47. Optimize your website with high ranked keywords to attract search engine attention.
48. Give out keychains or pens with your company name on it.
49. Get on the morning show of your local channel by offering to share tips related to your profession.
50. Create how-to videos and distribute them on YouTube.
51. Invite a reporter to lunch and offer your expertise.
52. Mentor newcomers in the field. You never know where they will be tomorrow!
53. Next time you get an inspirational email, add your business information to the email before forwarding it along.
54. Volunteer at a favorite charity. Network with fellow volunteers.
55. Give away t-shirts with your business name and website on it.
56. Donate prizes to charitable organizations or radio giveaways.
57. Create and distribute a podcast on the topic of your choice.
58. Create a mastermind group with fellow business owners.
59. Join a Rotary Club or Lion’s Club.
60. Participate in online chats and forums related to your subject area.
61. Reconnect with old friends from college and let them know what you are up to.
62. Be a business matchmaker—introduce people to others who might be able to help them.
63. Always follow up with potential clients.
64. Hand-write thank-you notes to clients and colleagues.
65. Get on the phone and call potential leads!
66. Focus on specific clients and specific projects. Carve out a specialty niche for yourself.
67. Choose a domain that’s part of the TLDs list.
68. Collect testimonials whenever you can.
69. Make it known to your colleagues that all leads are welcome.
70. Offer complimentary introductory sessions to those who may not be familiar with your work.
71. Host a party for current clients. Ask them to invite a guest!
72. Host a free webinar.
73. Offer a money-back guarantee.
74. Create a short, simple quiz for your business to help clients determine how you can help them.
75. Always spell-check.
76. Write a book!
77. Learn to think like your clients. What is their greatest need?
78. Know your competition. Even if you think that we all have something unique to offer and there is no competition, remember that your clients always have a choice. Why should they choose you over another?
79. Anticipate objections and have some answers ready!
80. Network in-person locally through Meetup.com
81. Network outside of your industry.
82. Offer free help.
83. Create and learn to tell the “captivating” story behind your business. People love (and remember!) stories more than anything else.
84. Talk about the benefits of your service, not the features.
85. Dress for success! You are the physical representation of your business.
86. Accept credit cards and set up online payment options.
87. Take photos at your events and post them to Instagram.
88. Be open to learning new things. Like how someone else markets their business? Borrow the technique, and always give credit when applicable!
89. Don’t make assumptions about your clients—ask them what they need and want from you.
90. Have a professional headshot taken. Include it with all your materials.
91. Believe in yourself! Marketing is a lot about confidence.
92. Cross-promote your business with someone who offers services that complement your own.
93. Create a written marketing plan and follow it.
94. Create a powerful introduction for yourself. What are your values? Your greatest achievements?
95. Upsell. If you think a client could potentially need something more, offer them the option.
96. Think of yourself as a trusted advisor, rather than a salesperson. You are providing value that your clients need!
97. Remember birthdays and major occasions in the lives of your clients and offer a gesture of celebration.
98. Keep in touch with people you meet. You never know where a lead can come from.
99. Don’t discredit any encounter. Treat everyone with respect.
100. Join one or two online social networks and participate regularly. LinkedIn is a must.
101. Incorporate both online and offline marketing methods into your comprehensive marketing strategy.