Contrary to popular belief, not all business owners or people in general are online.  Access to high speed internet is still a rarity in some parts of the United States ( but its expansion is accelerating), but promoting yourself on ink and paper is still a great way to reach the broadest possible client base.  Work on promoting and marketing yourself online and on paper, find an effective balance but at the very least focus on the following  print items as a start.

The business card, it is still the king when it comes to networking.  Yes you can give potential clients and peers your URL or twitter handle and hope they remember it or visit it right away on a smartphone or  other mobile device, but let’s face it, it is better to have this on a ready made card to hand out.  The few square inches that you have is actually the smallest high exposure canvas, so take advantage of it.  Make it memorable and it is less likely to end up in the trash.  Make it informative as well.  Keep the content short but relevant.  Also these days, I have more and more clients who want their twitter handles, blog URLs and websites to address an ever growing online audience.  A good business card is worth well more than its weight in gold, seriously consider it.

The next thing to consider are brochures or pamphlets.  Before the internet these were (and still are today) a great way to explain who you are and what you have to offer.  Having a larger canvas here means you can give more information, and more effectively pitch your brand while showing something that is creative as original as you and your company.  Get a good balance between creative aesthetics and informative power, along with a good printer (not the machine in your office, but a good print company) and impress your visitors.

The last thing to note is something that is seriously overlooked… correspondence.  This means everything from letters, to memos, proposals, contracts, invoices, thank you letters and basic letterhead.  This is a broad category, but it is one that is very deserving of a creative touch that reinforces your brand, seems more personable and is easier on the eyes.  Make a stable and simple, yet creative and engaging template for your correspondence.  If it stands out it is remembered and often handled sooner than basic bland correspondence.  Having an invoice with some zest can help keep it at the top of the pile.  Having a sharp and creative template for your letters not only looks more professional, but gives your organization personality on paper.

Being able to work on these three items is a great start and it will help in the initial impression, and staying power of your marketing.  You and your company are unique entities in a market where you compete for business.  Set yourself and organization apart on paper and online, make it as interesting and as unique as you and your brand and you will effectively stand out in the crowd.