Once your business has a presence on social networks, you need to build them up. We can help you do that, but there are many things you can do yourself as well.

Don’t forget that the value in Social Media Marketing comes from your ability to communicate your message effectively through social networks. Your offline marketing can serve as a way to gain more the more friends and followers, and the more of them you get, the more effective your networks become.

There are various things that can be done to market your social networks offline, here are a few ideas for you to consider:

Company Paperwork

For starters, make sure you add your Facebook address and your Twitter handle to all your paperwork.

Window Stickers

Image courtesy of Mashable.com

Very simple, but very effective, window stickers and signs are a great way for people to see that you are on Facebook, Twitter etc. Use a simple message such as “Like Us on Facebook”, followed by the address, or “Follow Us on Twitter”, followed by your Twitter handle. Even better, use a message which gets them to add you to their networks straight away using their mobile phone, like “text [facebook address] to 32665”.

Flyers

How about a bright, attractive, personalised flyer advertising “We are now on Twitter, find us and follow us”, followed by your Twitter handle, or “Like us on Facebook”, followed by the address. The big advantage of flyers is that you can give people a reason to follow your Twitter, or “Like” your Facebook page. For example, you could write “Like us on facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news, and find out about our special offers & discounts before anyone else.”

Personalised Badges

Badges work in 2 ways. Firstly, if you and your staff wear them, your customers will notice them as you move around. They can be easily handed out (kids love them especially). Secondly, they can be left in a visible area in the reception of your premises for people to pick up. The badge could show the Facebook or Twitter logo, and around the logo  add ‘find and follow us on Facebook/Twitter’, followed by the Twitter handle or Facebook address.

Business Cards

2nd Impression Business Card with Social Networks

It seems a bit obvious, but it’s surprising how many companies still don’t list even their most prominent social networks on their business cards. We do, so everyone we meet knows how to follow us without having to ask us.

Moo Business Cards

Moo Minicards are just a little smaller than standard business cards, so they appear much less formal. They allow you to have a different design or image on each one. If you buy 1000, you can have 1000 different designs. They even offer ways to import photos from your social networks.

You can easily use Minicards for advertising your networks. On the front you could have an image relating to your business (like the company logo or an image of the company building)  and on the back you can market your social networks, with the address to your Facebook, Twitter pages, etc. Use the multiple-design feature to make some for each of your networks, and let customers take whichever one suits them best.

Personalised Pens

Personalised pens left in the reception area of your premises can be a great way of spreading the word. People love freebies, and with your Facebook address or Twitter handle with the Facebook/Twitter logos displayed clearly on the pens, your clients will see your network address every time they use it.

Personalised Drinks Coasters

For a restaurant or café, drinks coasters showing Facebook and Twitter logos are a great idea. With a caption saying “we are now on Facebook/Twitter, follow us now”, and an address or Twitter handle, your customers will be reminded of your networks whenever they pick up their drink.

Personalised T-Shirts

If your business has a uniform, why not have a custom T-shirt made with your Twitter and Facebook addresses it, then make your staff wear them for a while. This is a great way to get attention from people who are into social networks. If they like what you do, they may just follow you there and then using their phones.

And why not try the same thing with other clothing like caps?

Print Media

Last but not least, don’t forget to put your network addresses on all your print media such as brochures, printed newsletters, etc. Invoices and letters too.

Of course, you don’t need to use all of these ideas. Just pick a few which you think are most suitable for your business.