Twitter in Active Moms Magazine

I love when I see businesses who are using social marketing to its fullest potential.  I particularly love to see them incorporating their social media marketing into their offline promotions.  It is fun to see things I had not yet thought of.  I will typically write these strategies down and keep them in my bank of ideas that I think are cool, because I know at some point I might be using the same technique for myself or a client.

Offline Twitter Use #1

In a magazine – The whole reason for writing this post came from something I saw in one of those local free magazines that you get while eating out.  What was even more pleasant for me was that my wife saw it when she was looking through the magazine and was like, “cool, check out these guys promoting their Twitter.”  My wife knows the value of Twitter and understands how it can help companies.  This company also had a spot for Facebook (see picture), but my only advice would have been to include a little more info for people who may be less familiar with social networks like Twitter.  I might have said something like – “Follow us on Twitter for weekly coupons” or “Follow us on Twitter to know when we are having sales, rather than just stating “Follow us on Twitter.”  Don’t get me wrong, I think it was awesome they were smart enough to have the ad in the magazine, but if they just took it a bit further it would be so much more powerful for their business.  Additionally, I think they should have included their Twitter URL in the ad. I mean we are smart people and can probably search Twitter and find you, but why not make it easy?

Offline Twitter Use #2

On A Post Card – The other day I got a post card from someone in the mail who is following me on Twitter.  The post card was sent to ask if I would follow them back and tweet about their services (once I had tried them) if I liked them.  This is a great way to show people you are interested in their feedback.  It’s also a super way to attract new customers if you have a quality product.  Even though they were kind of spamming me, because I did not opt in, it was cool to get something in the mail that was about following on Twitter.  I guess its just the geek in me!  Here is an idea – If I owned a furniture store and had a Twitter account that was offered daily home decorating tips – I would work hard to get local people following me.  I would then send postcards with Twitter only savings, like “bring this card on Saturday and we will take an additional 20% off your entire purchase amount.”  Limit the deal/postcard to only people who follow you on Twitter.  After a few rounds of post cards, the word would spread, and wow will you have a following!  I saved the card for this post (so I could snap a picture of it and share), but of course when it comes time to post my blog, I can’t find the post card.  So, your imagination will have to do!

Offline Twitter Use #3

Follow me on Twitter billboards

Billboards – The other day I was driving (here in Phoenix) and saw a billboard with a HUGE follow us on Twitter promotion for a local radio station.  Again, I love it when businesses embrace social media and unleash the power that lies therein!  I didn’t take a snapshot of the billboard, because I was driving (and I am a good driver , so I thought I would come up with a graphic to illustrate it!  Obviously, not everyone has the budget for a billboard, but if there are any large businesses out there reading this blog post with a good budget – you know what to do!

Actually, in many places billboards are not as expensive as you might think.  I know of a highly trafficked area in Utah County, Utah off I-15 and while I lived there the billboards were running anywhere from $1500 – $3500/ per month.  That kind of money will not kill a large corporation’s budget.  I have checked in smaller trafficked areas too and the monthly budget is down to $250/ per month.  Very affordable for a small business to use as another marketing option!

Offline Twitter Use #4

Twitter URL on business cards

Twitter address on business cards – I have shared this one before, in fact I was one of the first to blog about including your Twitter URL on your business card.  Other big names in the industry like Danny Sullivan have also blogged about the importance of this.  It is just another great way to get more followers and help people to be interested in you.  Potential customers will get to know more about your and what your like when you invite them to follow you on Twitter.   I am sorry this picture is not a better one, but I think you get the point.  I also think by including your Twitter URL you can create better conversations with potential clients.  For instance, they may ask you what Twitter is, and you now you have the perfect opportunity to discuss social networks and impress them with your extensive expertise.  I know it seems silly, but it has happened to me several times and really is a great conversation starter!

In Conclusion:

These are just 4 of the things I have seen lately when it comes to really good uses of Twitter offline.  I would also love to hear of any other techiques that you guys have heard of or may be using.  I always love to find new ways offline to use Twitter and hope you enjoyed this post.   As a business owner, I appreciate any feedback you guy have!  Since this post is about Twitter – here is my shameless plug – please feel free to follow me on Twitter!

Bringing the offline and online marketing communities together:

I guess what I really wanted is to make sure the people who got my business cards, know of all the places they can find me online.  We are in a day and age where some people may prefer to connect with you via Twitter instead of emailing you (if they know you are on Twitter).  As crazy as this may sound, get this – I introduced a neighbor who is a web developer to a contact of mine on Twitter.  They have done all their business, and I mean everything via Twitter and instant message – thats it.  Never spoke on phone, never emailed – none of the old traditional ways of doing business – and this was a pretty big client too that is paying him good.

Here is the picture of the front side of my new card: (sorry for crappy quality, its the iPhone camera which is horrible)

Business Cards need to reach your online communities

Here is the back of my card, where I reach out to my two most important (business) networks – Twitter and LinkedIn.  Granted you cant see the URLs on this picture very well, but they are there, and I hope you get the point.

LinkedIn and Twitter on Business Cards

If you have not already thought of doing this, I would suggest you do so with your next batch of business cards.  I know that I would rather connect with you via LinkedIn or Twitter, then any other method (for business).

What to be learned:

This IMO is just a great example and way to connect with your online communities when you are dealing with offline marketing.  It is also a great way to get more people aware of the networks you use, besides maybe introducing them to networks they have never heard of (thus expanding yours).  Believe it or not, I have people all the time ask me what Twitter is.  For the social media community, and online community its kind of funny, but there are a lot of people out there that are not so up to date – especially with social networks.  These are the same people not selling stuff on eBay because they think its to hard.

If this is the first time you are reading this blog, or you have not connected with me on Twitter – please feel free to follow me on Twitter!