A majority of digital marketing is now online, some estimates suggest 72% of all marketing spend. It would be fair to say that if you’re hoping to expand the awareness of your firm, targeting digital channels is going to offer you the most success. However, as many users are looking to limit their social media consumption, as people trust search engines like Google less because of SEO and AI manipulation, and when people are screaming out for authenticity, this brings us a real opportunity.
In fact, the argument could be made that more traditional forms of marketing are making a comeback in 2025. In this post, we’ll explain what those are, why we believe such a shift is tarting to occur, and how to make the most of it. Even if you choose to continue with an online-only approach (this is completely valid), it’s also wise to consider your wider options.
With that in mind, please consider the following advice…
Create Thoughtful Newsletters & Emails
Email marketing has been a trusted strategy for a long time, and for good reason, because it allows you to communicate directly with an audience that has already shown interest in your brand. You get a chance to provide value through a newsletter, with useful articles, or exclusive offers that make people feel special.
Unfortunately, previous commercial sinners have been known to start spamming inboxes with sales pitches, which is why you should be focused on sending genuinely helpful and relevant content. A well-thought-out email shows you respect a person’s time and gives them a reason to keep opening your messages – and give a brief pitch as to how infrequent your emails will be, the discount codes they could get, and the value they’ll offer. It’s a great way to sustain a relationship with your clients and keep your brand on their minds, just be sure to show they can unsubscribe at any time.
Use Direct Mail
Most of us roll our eyes at physical mail expecting it to be a bill of some kind. But if done right, direct mail can feel a lot more personal and intentional than a digital ad. A beautifully designed postcard or a small booklet can help demand attention in a way a banner ad never could, even if it’s just a yearly catalog of products or a thank you Christmas message.
It also shows that you’ve put in some extra effort that customers might keep around on their side. Better yet, it can be a fantastic way to reach a very specific, local audience, as your customers might be more likely to remember a physical item they can hold in their hands. It also breaks through the digital noise and gives your brand a presence in someone’s actual home or office, even if it’s a booklet with discount codes or a free pass for an appointment or checkup (depending on what you do). It’s also a point of pride to work on something like this.
Host Local Workshops & Events
Any event will give you the chance to curate a face-to-face connection which people really do remember. These shouldn’t necessarily be sales-only events of course, but a means to expand your brand recognition and cement it in the local community or industry calendar. For example, you might just plan to attend a local trade show and demonstrate your product at a booth, hiring an actor or two to really showcase your worth and the charm of your business.
When a customer meets you and your team, asks questions in person, and gets a feel for your company’s culture, that’s a connection that other firms would love to have. You also get to share your knowledge and build a community around your brand, which most successful companies would tell you is essential now.
There’s also a chance to provide an opportunity for networking with other brands in your area, which of course, can be fruitful. Maybe you’ll plan a cross-partnership or promotion that wouldn’t have happened if you didn’t get involved.
Invest In Print Advertising
Print advertising isn’t a thing of the past, it’s just less common. Placing an ad in a magazine that works to sustain local publishing and speak to a direct readership can be worthwhile. Even an industry-specific publication can reach an engaged and targeted audience. Remember that while people read these materials less, the people who do genuinely care about the topic.
That also means the people who read these publications are often looking for specific information or services. A print ad has a certain credibility and permanence to it for that reason.
With this advice, we hope you can use more traditional marketing methods alongside any other campaign you find helpful.
