Question: What are some ways I can bring attention to my brand, without social media?
Guest Blog
"Over the years, I've gained a lot of credibility by guest blogging for other people's sites. This can be anything from submitting an article to a trade publication to blogging regularly for Inc. Magazine. It's one of the best ways I've been able to get my brand's name out there while not being all over social media."
@johnrampton
Pitch Journalists
"PR still works. In fact, it's how many of our favorite brands have been built. Bloggers and journalists prefer being pitched by a founder more than an agency representative. If you can come up with a truly compelling story of why your company matters to the writer's audience, that's your best shot of getting covered -- and by extension, getting attention for your brand."
@blanklabel
Reach Out to Product Reviewers
"There are many product reviewers and bloggers who would love to share your brand on their website. Start by doing a search for the terms "your industry category" and "blog" on Google and Twitter. Copy their website URL and check their website traffic on Alexa.com to see if it's substantial enough, then reach out to them through the contact section and offer your product for review."
@andykaruza
Get Out There
"You have to take every single opportunity that is given to you in order to grow your business. That sometimes means creating opportunities where others may not see them. Join local committees, host a show on your local broadcasting network, or create swag that you can hand out at events. You have to put yourself out there and use every instance as an opportunity for brand awareness."
@PhilLaboon
Pursue Channel Partnership
"Channel partnerships are one of the fastest ways to grow if you don't want to utilize social media. Find folks who have a similar audience and negotiate a mutually beneficial arrangement where you can access their users. This can be done as referral fees, upsells, cross-sells, etc."
@syedbalkhi
Pursue Nontraditional PR Opportunities
"One of our favorite ways to get our brand out there is to use our corporate headquarters as an event space for our local community. We frequently offer it to Philly non-profits to host events and fundraisers, which helps us live one of our core values to be a community serving its community, introduces people to our company, and gives visitors a strong sense of our mission."
@nickbayer
Send Monthly or Quarterly Emails
"Whether you're building a personal or company brand, sending out a regular email update to the people close to you will help build your brand. You'll be able to measure how many people received and opened your communication. You'll get immediate feedback on how your content engaged your audience. And, you'll have a direct line of communication to showcase what's important to you."
@BrettFarmiloe
Do Random Acts of Kindness
"Many entrepreneurs are uncomfortable seeking the spotlight, yet a larger brand presence is important for driving growth. If you focus on delivering exceptional service to your clients (expediting orders, making a product donation to their favorite causes) they'll tell your story for you. The best part? You'll be building your brand by doing activities that make you feel good."
@MosesOfWatches
Become a Subject Matter Expert
"Social media is only one aspect of building a successful brand. There are many more opportunities for driving traffic and garnering customers through content-driven sites. Become an expert in your field, develop a unique voice, and start reaching out to content providers to publish your articles and generate some real, quality leads and brand awareness."
@eMerchantBroker
