Just because you run a business online doesn't mean you can't market and sell your products offline, too. Using offline marketing methods may seem old-fashioned in this digital age, but they provide a cost-effective way to gain new customers. Printed materials and other offline techniques can reach potential customers who don't have easy access to the Internet or don't spend much time online. If you want to give your sales a boost, try some of these offline techniques:

Alternative sales venues:   Have you considered selling from a pushcart in a mall, a table at a street fair, or a booth at a flea market? These alternative venues let you make extra sales and promote your products at the same time. Have catalogs, product sheets, and/or free samples available.

Articles:  If you already write articles for use online, get them printed up and distribute them offline as well. Give away reprint rights and let others distribute them, too. You can also approach editors of print publications about publishing your articles on Internet-related topics or your field of expertise.

Brochures:  Have a colorful and professional-looking color brochure printed up at an office supply store or printer and send them out in in response to customer inquiries or slip them in when you ship orders. You can also go door-to-door and if your customers are business-to-business; introduce yourself briefly and leave your brochure behind. Leave brochures at related businesses in a small counter top display.

Business cards:  Business cards can do more than give your company's name, address, phone number, and URL. Use the back of the card, too, and provide a short description of your products or services. Paying extra for business cards with punch-out holes to fit into a small Rolodex-type file will increase the likelihood that recipients will keep, and use, your cards. Always carry a supply with you and leave them anywhere you can.

Business stationery:  You can turn every business communication into a marketing piece. When you have your letterhead, envelopes, fax cover sheets, address labels, checks, order forms, invoices, and receipts printed, include your URL, logo, and a brief sales message.

Catalogs and product sheets:  Even if you have an online catalog, consider producing a print version as well. If printing a whole catalog seems too expensive, a product sheet or price list is a cheaper option. This could mean a one-page, black-and-white sheet or a longer listing of your products and prices in color on glossy paper. Make your catalog or product sheet available by mail and slip one into any gift orders you ship.

Coupons:  Coupons are a great way to get both new customers and repeat business from existing customers. You can send out coupons in a direct mail campaign, enclose them in outgoing mail and shipped orders, stick them in display racks, or tack them up on bulletin boards. You could also create a "coupon page" on your website and encourage your customers to print them out and pass them on to their friends.

Demos:  Demonstrate your products at flea markets, fairs, special events, or shopping center sidewalks. Give away coupons, free samples, catalogs, and/or logoware while you're at it.

Donations and volunteering:  Donating some of your products or a gift certificate as a prize for a contest or an item to be auctioned off for a charity is a great way to get free publicity and do a good deed at the same time. Donating needed goods or services to a deserving individual or group may generate some favorable publicity, and will certainly boost your corporate image. You can also donate your time as a volunteer; provide free consulting services to a non-profit or help out with a fundraiser.

Fliers and doorhangers:  Design and print fliers right from your computer. Post them on bulletin boards at grocery stores, churches, malls, post offices, banks, etc. Use brightly colored paper to get people's attention. Make the message interesting enough so they want to visit your site. In my area you can have fliers printed and distributed for just a few cents each in quantity.

Free stuff:  Freebies and giveaways are a great way to introduce people to your company and products, and a lasting way to keep your name and logo visible to them and their families or coworkers. Besides the usual choices of pens, mugs, calendars, refrigerator magnets and mousepads, consider less conventional and more attention-gettingitems like desk toys. Jackets, hats, and teeshirts with your logo can be pricier, but also more visible; if can afford them, give them out at a fair, convention or special event and get lots of instant exposure.

Gift certificates:  Offering gift certificates will give existing customers a way to introduce friends to your business. You can also use gift certificates to reward your loyal customers or give them an incentive to buy from you again.

Greeting cards:  Birthdays, holidays, congratulations and grand openings are all suitable occasions for sending a greeting card to customers or prospects. Include a personal message and handwrite the address to add a personal touch.

Inserts and enclosures:  Have small, single sheet promotional inserts printed in color on glossy paper. Slip them in with every piece of mail that leaves your office, and arrange to have other business owners include them in their mailings in return for your sending out theirs.

Interviews:  Contact writers and journalists who are interested in your product, industry, or field of expertise; introduce yourself briefly and let them know you are available for interviews. Your local paper will probably be more receptive than a national publication, since they often feature businesses in the surrounding community. Trade magazines, specialized publications are good bets, too. The editor of your college's alumni magazine might be interested in publishing your "success story".

Magazine ads:  Find a magazine that reaches your target market and ask about their ad rates. Special interest magazines, trade publications, professional journals and regional magazines are likely to have affordable rates and will be more targeted than general interest publications.

Mailings:  Have "Web cards" (postcards with a photo of your website) printed up, buy or rent a targeted list of mailing addresses and launch a direct mail campaign. Alternatively, you could send a product sheet, sales letter or brochure (but you'll spend more on postage). Point them to your website but also give them the option of ordering by mail, phone, or fax, too, in case they don't have Internet access.

Mobile marketing:  Considering how much time most of us spend in our cars, using your automobile as a marketing tool makes a lot of sense. You can turn your vehicle into a "company car" with a custom paint job that incorporates your logo and URL. If you want to take a subtler approach, try a magnetic sign on your car door, window decals, a windshield sunshade, bumper stickers, or custom vanity plate. Every time you run an errand, commute to your office, or drive to a meeting, you'll be promoting your business!

Networking:  Good old-fashioned networking is still a valuable marketing tool in the digital age. Your local Chamber of Commerce, charitable organizations, industry groups and professional associations are obvious choices for networking, but don't overlook school and church functions, social events and fundraisers as opportunities to introduce yourself and distribute your business card. Not only will you find new customers, but you may find some strategic alliances and co-marketingopportunities, as well.

Newspaper ads:  Ads rates for local newspapers are usually very reasonable. You'll probably need to run a series of ads in order to see results; a one-time ad is not likely to be very effective. Besides a regular ad, consider the options of listing your company in the papers' product or services directory or taking out a classified ad.

Packaging:  If you ship products, your packaging can be a promotional tool. Make the package, pouch, or envelope colorful and attractive. Go beyond just adding your company name and logo -include your tag line to indicate what your company does.

Press releases:  Press releases cost you nothing but the time to write them and submit them to (hopefully) interested parties. Make it sound newsworthy and send your release to publishers who cover your industry or cater to your target market.

Print directories:  Find out whether there's a print directory that promotes local businesses in your area; if so, check on the price of a paid listing. Some local directories even focus specifically on online businesses.

Products:  Make your products self-promoting by including your logo, company name, and/or URL on the products themselves.

Promotional CD-ROM's:   CD-ROM's are relatively inexpensive to produce and mail, and provide your marketing message in a tangible form that recipients are likely to keep around for awhile. Put your articles, e-book, or tutorials on CD-ROM and place them in small displays at office supply stores, print shops, or bookstores.

Rack cards:   Rack cards are a bit larger than postcards; like postcards they are one-sided and printed on stiffer paper than brochures. Leave them in ad display racks at supermarkets and drugstores and on bulletin boards at restaurants, laundromats, coffee shops, bowling alleys, etc.

Radio ads:  A short but catchy radio ad can be an affordable way to reach a large audience. Select a radio station that would appeal to your target market and contact their sales department to ask about their ad rates.

Signage and billboards:  If your business has a physical location as well as a website, use signs and displays to advertise your products to passing traffic. If you can't display an ad on your own property, you might be able to arrange to use or share another business owner's signage. A well-placed billboard provides a lot of exposure, but the cost is usually prohibitive for a small business. However, you could find other businesses who share your target market and approach them about splitting the cost.

Speaking engagements:  Volunteer to be a public speaker at clubs, organizations and professional groups in your community. Also keep your eyes open for seminars, symposia, conventions and special events related to your field of expertise, and contact the organizers about being a speaker. Contact your local library or college about using one of their meeting rooms to give a free public lecture as a public service.

Sponsorships:  Become a corporate sponsor of a fundraiser, festival or special event, sponsor a player in a charity golf tournament or sponsor a kids sports team. Besides the valuable exposure for your business, your involvement may also provide you with networking opportunities.

Trade shows:  Trade shows give you the opportunity to market your products face-to-face, distribute samples and promotional items, and network with others in your industry. You can also give them brochures and logoware to take back tto the office. Ask for permission to send them your ezine or newslette, too.