Boost Business with 4 Old School Marketing Tactics

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Credit: Brett Taylor on Flickr

Everyone’s focused on the digital world these days, and rightfully so. There’s always a new technology rolling out and its exciting to be amazed at what our favorite gadgets can do.

But when it comes to customer service and getting clients, you’ve got to integrate the old with the new. Why? Not all clients are using things like social media. And even those that do may appreciate–and respond better to–”old school” techniques. Here are four big ones you may not be leveraging.

1. Postcards

They’re inexpensive and effective, so why not use them? People are more focused on using email to get clients nowadays, and that is a very effective method. But a postcard gives the prospect something tangible to hang on to. It may linger on a messy desk or corkboard longer than a random email, which can easily be deleted. Generally, people hang on to your contact information in print form if they can use it in the future. The postcard is an extremely valuable tool that you may want to try. And it’s cheap, which is always a plus.

2. Sales Letters

I’m leery to suggest this because many people write painfully long narratives filled with gimmicky questions and an insane amount of bolding. But with the right style and layout (not to mention keeping it to one page), a sales letter can be a very useful tool to snag clients. Give it a simple design and include your message in a few paragraphs. Include a powerful call to action to prompt your reader to take action. And that’s it–the letter is an introduction to what you have to offer, why you are the best person to do it, and how to get more information. It’s simple, like the postcard, and can be personalized easily.

3. Cold Calling

I’m not talking about cold calling to give your pitch to a prospect–I’m talking about using the phone to gather information. The Internet is a great source, but leads aren’t always updated. Pick up the phone and ask to speak to the Art Director or Marketing Director, for example. Or you can simply check with the receptionist that they are still in that role and confirm their contact information. Traditional cold calling is a useful method, but not everyone excels at it. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the phone to get the information you need to make your pitch–and then pitch however you like best, print or electronically.

4. The Thank You Note

After a successful project, what do you do? You’ve completed the work and gotten paid. But you’re likely leaving that client hanging. A simple handwritten thank you note goes a long way to help you make that client even more satisfied–and you know what a satisfied client does…they use your services again and sing your praises to others. So invest in simple notes and start using them to cultivate client relationships and snag referrals.

Personal Touch

Many years ago, things like stamps, printing presses and the telephone were new technologies. Now? Not so much. That doesn’t mean you can’t still use them to offer a personal touch and help your freelance business soar!

Photo credit: Some rights reserved by Brett Taylor.