To gain brand recognition your company name, logo and message must be placed in sight of your potential and current clients as often as reasonably possible. You need people to get use to seeing your brand name.
One method of accomplishing this in the offline world is through the smart usage of tools like branded gifts.
Branded gifts are those items given out at trade shows, seminars and other functions, you know, the pens, notepads and other small items that display the company’s information.
These are excellent ways to spread your message and have these tools continue to work on your behalf after you and the person receiving the gift have gone your separate ways. Businesses of all types use these items for one simple reason, they work.
As online entrepreneurs and marketers we too should be using these tools to help us deliver our messages.
Do you only advertise your business online? If so, you may be overlooking lots of potential clients and future business.
Merge the online and offline worlds
There is no reason to stop conducting business when you leave the keyboard. Be certain to always be armed with some business cards that point directly to your blog or website.
Be creative in your travels and look for opportunities to leave a business card or two. Attached them in your community supermarket or house of worship, where most have a bulletin board for local businesses.
While out dining with the family and friends, leave a couple of business cards or a branded pencil on the table among the condiments. If it’s really nice and professional looking, it will find it’s way into someone’s pocket or purse. Never leave more than a couple; spam rules apply offline as well. 
I have many friends and associates who operate businesses who are more than happy to place a stack of my business cards in their establishments. In fact, many call to let me know when they are running low.
Creative branding can be fun and there are millions of customizable items available, each of which serves a purpose. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination.
Items like pens, pencils, envelope openers, postcards and a host of other inexpensive items can be given away to help enhance your brand’s recognition.
Companies that manufacture promotional goods are quite numerous and yes, some of the goods can be somewhat costly, but view them as investments in your business. Many of these companies, like Zazzle.com, will manufacture the products without a setup fee.
Start with the smaller less expensive items to give away as gifts. More expensive items like shirts, caps and jackets can be designed and worn yourself as a means of advertising.
The point is this, the building of your brand takes time and the more you can work on this both on and offline, the better it is for your business.
Be creative and dare to be different!
Have you considered offline advertising for your online business and if so, what methods can you share with us?
8 Responses to Creative Ways to Spread Your Brand
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" @sbc111 That's quite a thrill ride. Great that you have that skill. " — JimiJones
Hey Jimi,
moving the branding to the “outside” world is a good idea. Business cards are old school, I believe you have to take the game to a higher level. I recently instructed a print works company to brand my clothes – and the result is awe-some.
I have shirts and pullovers with my own logo right now – and I wear them in my videos and my profile pics. The effect is nice – it makes you look so much more “professional” !
Hi Mars.
You're right on the mark with the clothing, I've done something quite similar. Branded clothing is a great way to spread your brand name and create interest.
I have to disagree on the business cards being old school, many of the methods for distributing them are old school for sure, but they are still powerful tools. Couple that with the fact that many people continue to ask if you have one and they are not something to be without. I do agree that relying upon them as a sole source for spreading your message is unwise. But you never want to leave someone with this question: “This guy's in business but he doesn't have a card?” LOL
You've done quite well with your branding and your creativity shows. keep up the great work.
Thanks for visiting.
Love the insights, Jimi.
Especially, merge the online and offline worlds was one insight that resonated with me – although I am often guilty of not doing enough of it.
Business cards are a double edged sword – they can make you look outdated and/or irrelevant in these times – but they can also save the day. You never know the demographics of the people you are going to meet – and some of them will only relate to business cards.
I haven't done it yet – but dressing in attire that carries my brand is definitely way high up on my own 2010 to-do's list.
Like I always say, creative genius always trumps everything else in social media – and these insights on creative branding are definitely the way to go!
Hi Kapil.
I'm really big on the branded clothing, as it doesn't take much.
I know many see the business cards as something that's time has past, but people are always asking for them. I can see how you could look outdated using them as your one and only marketing tool, but they are far from dead.
Jimi,
I agree with you on business cards….while they may be considered 'old school,' there are plenty of business people who still ask for them and exchange them.
Your post reminds me that I don't have business cards for my food blog, but I do have them for my writing business. On the other hand, I do have branded clothing (aprons) on my food blog.
I was asked for a handful of my writing business cards just a couple weeks ago by a small business owner. It never hurts to have business cards, IMO.
Brand can be any thing. You can build your name a brand, you can make your domain name a brand. You can make your pet your brand name.
Funny just the other day I was just discussing with my husband about what we can do for branding on clothes.
Something to try for and it's in our to-do list in near future. Currently when I'm out the house I tend to observe closely how business makers in the real world are using things around us for attention. Using off/online world and inter-connect the both for branding is a must-try.
Branded clothing can be fun and effective, Ching Ya. Blending both on and offline worlds helps extend your reach.