If you’re like me then your experience with internet marketing started with your eyes locked on to your computer screen for hours on end.
This, along with information overload, is somewhat of a rite of passage for all of us.
And there’s no doubt that it can be a pretty lonely experience to begin with.
But there is GOOD NEWS!
There are LOTS of things you can do to practice internet marketing when you’re NOT in front of your computer screen. These things can really give you great ideas of how to make more money online.
As you’ll see it’s all about observing rather than just looking! For example, here are some things that I do almost every day when I’m out and about:
1. TV Commercials
Recently, here in the UK there have been a lot of ads for internet dating on TV. Online businesses using offline advertising to promote themselves are always worth paying attention to – even if you haven’t got the budget for a TV commercial yourself!
2. Bill Boards
These are all around, in the cities, on the side of the road and so on. You can gain a real insight into what the current trends are by studying these. Also, be sure to check the calls to action. Are they telling you to call them on the phone, go to their website or, as many big corporates have been doing recently, sending you straight to their Facebook page?
3. Book Stores
If I pass a Borders or Waterstone’s store I usually try to pop in for 5 minutes. Observe the main stands when you walk in. These can give you GREAT inspiration for new profitable niches that you could exploit online. How are they promoting their books using special offers?
4. Magazines
Magazines cost a lot of money to publish and distribute so they are a great indicator of profitability. There’s no shortage of new ideas for niches so always take a moment to study the titles in any shop that sells them.
5. Radio Commercials
These are great, although slightly annoying 😉 When I was in the US recently I listened to talk radio a lot whilst driving. I heard a lot of ads for investing in gold and real estate. These were (and still are) great online niches you can make money in.
6. Flyers In Shops, Stores, Libraries
How many times have to gone to pay in a store and noticed flyers on the counter? Can you remember what they were? If not, then make sure you pay attention next time. There are often internet based products and services which are being advertised. A friend of mine recently spotted one promoting someone’s MLM scheme…
7. Go For A Walk
I’ve written about this before here on the GHG Blog. Walking, especially somewhere peaceful and quiet, is a great way to break out from the narrow mindset we sometimes develop when we’re stuck in front of our computers. A great source of Eureka moments in internet marking!
8. Live Events
Get out, meet people. Don’t just restrict yourself to your own niche either. There’s always ideas that you can transfer from other industries. There are lots of seminars, conferences and local meetups that you can attend. I’ve been to about 6 of these so far in 2012, how many have you attended?
I hope this post helps to break the mould a bit and give you some inspiration for new ideas and greater motivation. Be creative and remember that some of the best ways to make money online come to you when you’re not sat in your computer chair!
Have you got any more suggestions for practicing internet marketing when you’re offline? Agree, disagree, angry, inspired by this? Please hit LIKE if you liked it and drop your thoughts below 🙂
Hi Rob
I try to work out marketing plans in my waking hours in bed.
Problem is its not practical to have pen and paper handy.
For me I don’t now need much sleep but I like staying in bed so I have plenty of thinking time
Cheers
Ken
Hi Ken,
This is not such a bad idea! I was talking with someone today who was telling me how many years we “waste” sleeping in our lives – glad to see you’re putting this time to good use 🙂
Rob
Hi Rob
Thanks for the reminder! All good stuff! Going for a walk in the fresh air, somewhere quiet, does help with re-focussing!
Peter
Hey Peter,
Yes, walking is probably one of my favourites on the whole list 🙂
Rob
I have recently written a new monthly newsletter about IM and some information about getting started. I dropped them off in the local library and Internet Cafe as a test. Obviously, if there is any interest shown I will take it farther afield.
Well done Jean!
This is really creative marketing. You’ll get ahead of the game massive like this whilst everyone else is waiting for Google to send them traffic via SEO!
You’re site looks great too – well done on taking action and good luck with the project going forward.
Rob
Hi Rob ,
Man Great Info here buddy , I know that the 1st 4 will give plenty of ideas as I
use it myself to find niches. Another one which I use is talking to my personal
friends about different topics that attracts them or simply just post a question
on my facebook page and see the response from that. Thanks !
Hi Napoles,
That’s a really good idea – survey’s are definitely a great way to go. Find out what people want, then create a product and sell it to them. Remove the guesswork and just ask directly!
Thanks for sharing this with us 🙂
Rob
Hi Rob
Another one is to listen. Listen to family and friends, even complete strangers. Whenever you stand in a queue when shpping, at the post office, in the library, even at the doctor’s, listen to what people are talking about.
Dee
Great tips Dee, thank you!
Cheers,
Rob
Hi Rob and all
And let’s not forget the humble business card…..
You can get 250 customised (by yourself) and free business cards from Vistaprint for around £2 p&p.
Where else could you get such a useful business tool at that price?
Have a few in your pocket for the times when you talk to folks about your business.
Or slip one into anything you may be mailing – they are so cheap that you don’t need to worrk about the cost of marketing like this.
They can carry all of your contact details and also your web-site address…
Another very cheap form of marketing is the use of “return” labels on the back of any letters you may send out.
But these labels don’t have to carry a return address – they can just as easily have a web-site address with a short “teaser” to get folks to have a look.
For example….
“Are you looking for a simple way to start making extra money?
Our web-site will set you on the right track…
Check it out at …www.havealook.com”
You can have a label customised to show your business and details and it gets seen by the recipient as well as everyone who handles your letter (postmen, sorting office staff etc) – you never know who might see it and act on it.
Again – very cheap and has been shown to be very effective.
Kind regards
Kevin