Traditional marketing

Before the digital age, marketers relied exclusively on non-digital channels, such as TV, radio, and print media, as well as direct mail, events, and cold-calling, to convey their message to the consumer.

Traditional marketing process

Small and large businesses use a range of conventional marketing channels, and often integrate them with digital marketing strategies.

Events Staging sports activities, themed displays, parades, or exhibits to promote a product, cause, or brand.

TV Promoting sales through TV ads, program sponsorship, or product placement.

Face-to-face Approaching customers directly to create brand awareness or persuade them to buy a product.

Telemarketing Calling potential customers who have an identifiable need for a product with a sales pitch.

Direct mail Mailing catalogs or circulars to a targeted list of consumers, often promoting special offers on products.

Brochures and flyers Promoting through mailing or locally hand-distributing printed materials to promote businesses.

Radio Using commercial slots on radio
to promote products either locally or nationally, depending on the station’s reach.

Product samples Offering free samples of a product to customers, giving them the opportunity to try it before making a purchase—an effective way to launch new products and build a customer base.

Billboards Renting large outdoor advertising
spaces to market products. Cost depends on the size of space, its visibility, and the amount of traffic that passes the location.

Newspapers and magazines Buying space in print media to run advertisements, or creating advertorials to market products or services.

Networking Interacting with other people at special events to develop professional contacts.