4 Ways to Take Social Media Offline
July 13 2010 by Greg de Lima ~ View Comments
Using social media offline is as important, if not more important, than using the marketing efforts for a strictly online sense. Meeting people outside of the constricted online world gives a strong sense of understanding each person and a unique opportunities to reach new levels of networking.
Here are 4 ways to take your online networks, and make them a viable offline network:
1. Encourage Local Networking
Events like local meetups are a prime example of increasing your outreach to people with similar mentalities, hobbies, or even profession. Other similar events are some like my friend Chuck Hester (@chuckhester) hosts what is called LinkedIn Live – Raleigh. There are others I have heard of like LinkingGSO (@LinkingGSO). The point of these events is to take people who are joined one way or another to each other and bring them together. Whether or not you use these connections for a business purpose is up to you, but the benefits of seeing someone face to face rather than just an online interaction will always lead to a more beneficial relationship.
2. Bring It In
Coupons, rewards, specials, exclusives and other incentives can be used to give social network users a reason to come in to a locale. You can take advantage of location-based services, such as Foursquare, Gowalla, and TriOut, to give people rewards for “checking in” to your location. You don’t need to necessarily be like Starbucks and offer your own badge, but letting users know that there is an option to check in and receive some type of benefit for their loyalty is something worth exploring. True, this works best for product-based locales, but if you offer a service, what’s the best way that you can offer something to the mayor of your place or even just a frequent check-in?
3. Reach Out
Phones aren’t obsolete. Yet. Mobile power today is stronger than ever, and with new technologies such as the iPhone’s Facetime, being able to easily reach out and chat with people is an entirely different ball game than simply engaging them on Twitter. The true power of engagement is reaching out. If it turns out you’re having a discussion with someone and it seems that it’s running on too long for Facebook or Twitter, send them your cellphone number. Let them know you’re available or even ask for theirs and call straight away. Don’t hesitate with the idea, push forward and talk to them.
Staying online is only a virtual world. You will need to disconnect eventually.
4. Work Backwards
Start from having an offline network, and bring them online! The power of social media works both ways as far as communication. It’s not all about meeting someone online and then hopefully meeting sometime in the future. Remember the careful use of business cards: don’t flood people with them. List your top communication channels, and if they’re asked for, then pass your cards on.
My friend Wayne Sutton (@waynesutton) gives 9 Offline Lead Generation Tips for Businesses Exploring Location-Based Marketing.
Taking offline communications online is, if anything, just as important as going from online to offline. Work your networks, and embrace the hundreds of ways social media helps your business.
What ways do you take social media offline? Leave a comment and tell us!
Image Credit Quintanomedia
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