Online Marketing or Offline Marketing?

Online Marketing or Offline Marketing? 

In this article, i wanted to share what i know about online versus offline marketing. As many are already familiar with this, you will be amazed that there are still a lot who have no idea what these are, How powerful it is and how clueless we are on how easy it can be.

But first lets define what Online Marketing and Offline Marketing is.

Definition

Offline Marketing is your traditional business done in the traditional manner of advertising. Simply put it, advertisements done through newspaper, magazine, radios, TV adds, banners etc.

Pro's
- Proven system
- Effective in delivery
- Can reach a huge number of demographics

Con's
- Expensive, requires a substantial amount of money.
- could be limited to your area and country only (depending on your initial funds, again going back to "expensive")
- requires a lot of work and people (advertising consultants, staff, paid actors etc)
- ROI or Return of Investment takes longer ( 2 to 3 years by average)


Online Marketing is defined as your business advertised online through social media (number one right now if i may say myself) like Facebook, Online Stores (Multiply.com, Sulit), blogging, tweeting, etc.
Pro's

- This is already a proven system ( samples are coke and pepsi battling it out on the social platform of Facebook)
- Massive potential and reach (again, this is online and the whole world can see this)
- FREE This could be the BEST advantage yet. Most social sites are FREE registration and if not only requires a minimal fee for advertisement edge. Like Facebook, you can spend a budget of a dollar per click but of course the higher the better but just imagine advertising online for $10 - $50 compared to thousands.
- minimal number of people to work with (no need to hire anyone), less expenses
- ROI can be seen in a months time  


Con's

- Spamming, be careful with this one. There's a line between sharing/promoting from Spamming and the latter can create negative feedback instead of a good one.
- none that i can think of, given that you follow the successful paths and do your research first (Basics, Guide and always get a successful brand to mirror), your business should hit success in no time.


Now that we have defined the two, the next question that is always asked is, which one is better and why? 

In my honest opinion (based on my experience and research as well), I prefer Online Marketing. Why? because of the following reasons:

1) You don't need a lot of funds to start up. When i started, i only needed a few scanned materials, a desktop & internet connection (which is a standard necessity already in any home, if none whats 25 pesos in a computer shop) and creativity. I finished my first Ebay add in less than 30 minutes and that's FREE advertisement.

2) You can start faster if not immediate. Yes, i will admit that it took me at least a few hours to research online about which FREE sites to use, how, success stories and online tips but that's still faster compared to offline which requires, market study, statistics etc and that requires months if not years to complete. 


3)More leverage for you. What do i mean? by leveraging on the massive power and visibility factor of the net, your business works for you and therefor gives you more time for the important things. Admit it, we want more time for the important things in life. That's why we saw this opportunity.

4) It works while your asleep, gone in vacation, 24 hours a day with global exposure and the best part with minimal to moderate management on your part. Once you have set a system, it takes care of itself. 


5) Massive exposure. This time your not only limited to your peers, friends and family. The globe is your apple here.

Now, its safe to assume that your reading this article because your interested in Online Marketing, Need an extra income, build your own business or simply need help with your own  Online Marketing. First things first, don't be afraid to try  Online Marketing, its simple and easy. Your 1st tool is knowledge and there is plenty in the net though word of caution, there is such a thing as too much information paralysis. Just focus on one successful system and remember that it does take patience and consistency. If you don't hit it on the 1st week, don't just jump to another system. Go back to the basics and improve what you started don't just over haul it immediately.


Next is the How?
For strategies, as i mentioned above. There are a lot in the net but i'll be discussing the basics on a separate article.

So there you go, i Hope i was able to help and enlighten you even in the simplest way about Online and Offline Marketing.

How about you, whats your experience with this two? What better and effective for you? and as always feel free to share your thoughts and this article if it proved helpful to, as we can still help other =)

Cheers!

If you want to be part of our growing community and share your ideas, feel free to subscribe to this blog and Here