What would you do business-wise if Internet marketing went away tomorrow? Could you still run a successful business?

In my last couple of posts I mentioned how I feel with the growing popularity of social media and blogging as a means to grow your business has in many ways made some entrepreneurs lazy.

True it is possible to grow your business by only networking online and never off, but limiting yourself in such a way could be a huge mistake.

One of the main reasons for starting a business is to generate wealth. Yes, freedom to do what you want and be your own boss are other reasons, but without the wealth, you won’t be able to do any of those for long.

If you own a business and want to generate substantial wealth, don’t let your knowledge of the Internet (which is a strength) become your Achilles heal in business. What billionaire or even millionaire do you know sits at home, blogs, toys around with social media and comments back and forth on blogs every day all day long?

Do what you love and turn it into a business, true, but keep your eye on the reason you started a business as well.

What Entrepreneurs Did Back In The Day

Before the invention of the Internet as it is today, entrepreneurs had to meet people and talk with people. They set appointments, went to conventions, got to know their bankers and CPAs, all in an effort to network.

They would make sure their hair was cut, fingernails trimmed, dressed nicely, drove nice cars to meet with customers and associates, etc.

The point here is they had to do everything offline.

So as a business owner, I suggest you don’t only limit your business dealings to the online community.

So let’s pull the plug for a moment on you, the web entrepreneur, and see what you might do if you ran a business without a computer.

Looking Credible

The first thing you need to do as an offline entrepreneur is concentrate on your look.

I hinted at this above. You need to make sure your fingernails are trimmed, your hair is nicely combed and cut, you dress moderately (i.e. not too successful), your shoes aren’t tracking mud or toilet paper, you drive a decent car to meet clients and possible associates, your pants are on properly, etc.

You want to dress and look somewhat successful, but not too successful - don’t look like a shark!

If you’re driving to meet potential clients or associates, try to drive up in a nice car, again nothing too “successful”. If you don’t have a nice car, try to borrow or rent one. Just don’t show up for a meeting with a banker riding a bicycle. On the flip side, unless you’re filthy rich, don’t drive up in a Lamborghini - you don’t want to look like a fool when the banker goes to pull up your assets and sees that you’re renting a house and working at Starbucks.

Networking

Just like you see people online saying how you should network with other bloggers or online entrepreneurs, so should you do offline like they did back in the day.

Get to know your banker (or bankers), a few CPAs, and lawyers.

Get to know how? You might ask?

Let’s say you own an online company that helps people with their credit. I’m sure this profession existed before the Internet, so how did they make money back then?

Off the top of my head you could design a brochure showcasing how your company helps people improve their credit scores and then meet with local bankers, loan officers, real estate investors, Realtors, etc. showing them how you can help their clients. Some investors, for example, offer lease-option agreements where the renter has an option to buy. Obviously they need a decent credit score to buy the home. Maybe the investor will refer your company to their buyer.

What if this investor owned 10 large condo complexes? Just remember if someone helps you, try to help them back. It’s a cold world in business and people like to know what’s in it for them.

My best suggestion is to just think what entrepreneurs did before the Internet and what you would do if it didn’t exist. If that doesn’t work, seek out help and guidance.

Making Profit Today

The Internet gives you the opportunity to sell your product and services to billions, much better than selling only locally. But while you’re networking online and trying to grow your business there, don’t forget that getting out and networking in your community is a great way to generate business now.

If I were to take my marketing tactics for web hosting and web design (services geared around the Internet) offline today, here are a few options I might have to market my company locally and generate business.

• Create a free workshop. Oh you better believe I’m going to try and get the news to cover it!
• Sit down with someone of influence and get to know them. For example, visit my local S.C.O.R.E. association and chat with one of the tutors there, maybe even take them out for coffee. Oh, was that my business card I left there? Or did she say her daughter needed a website? Here - let me take care of that for you, no charge.
• Hold a local contest for kids. Maybe the grand prize is an XBox. Oh darn, did the wind blow away some of my flyers?

Get the point. Doing things online is great, but don’t let the ease and anonymity of the Internet make you lazy as an entrepreneur.

As an entrepreneur you need to be useful to people. Be a problem solver and thinker. You can be a one person corporation and take an annual officers meeting all by yourself and just think. The government gave you that option as a tax write off for a reason, it helps you grow your business.

If you own an online business and have yet to take your business venture offline, feel free to mention what you do and we’ll brainstorm together.