7 Actionable Ways To Start Generating Offline Leads in 2024

In this digital-first era, businesses depend heavily on online methods to generate leads. While online methods are effective, offline lead generation remains potent when targeting high-intent leads—especially for B2B ventures. 

In fact, studies show that around 76% of B2B leads still come from offline sources, while a sizable 18% from online channels. Therefore, the best way to maximize lead generation is to take a holistic approach, where online tactics meet offline strategies. 

So, keep reading as we show how to conduct offline lead generation in the best ways possible to procure high-intent leads.

Table of Contents

1. How to conduct offline lead generation: 7 best ways
2. The Dos and Donts of Offline Lead Generation
3. Maximize offline lead generation with Uniqode’s e-business cards
4. Frequently asked questions

How to conduct offline lead generation: 7 best ways

Offline lead generation can bring the desired results if aligned with your ideal buyer persona. Here are 7 effective ways to conduct offline lead generation: 

1. Have a solid networking strategy 
2. Attend events such as trade shows
3. Conduct seminars and workshops
4. Introduce referral and loyalty programs
5. Launch a direct mail campaign
6. Do cold calling
7. Use print advertisements

1. Have a solid networking strategy 

Being present in offline events will naturally bring leads your way. But if you don’t have a solid networking strategy—that also involves lead collecting and nurturing—it’s like not having any leads! 

As a prerequisite to a solid networking strategy: 

1. Get to know your prospects 
2. Segment them based on their business and demographics
3. Prepare a personalized elevator pitch

Having a strategy can go a long way in boosting your networking efforts’ success rate.

Another important thing to remember is to avoid using paper business cards when networking. These traditional tools are outdated and prone to getting lost or misplaced. Another apparent drawback is that they only allow manual lead collection, which is tedious.

Use a digital business card (e-business card) instead. It makes you appear professional and tech-savvy. Additionally:  

1. There is also no risk of losing these cards, as they are shared digitally to your recipient’s mobile device
2. You can share your contact details with your recipients and enable them to do the same 
3. The data from your leads is then stored in your e-business card solution’s intuitive digital address book, which is accessible anytime
4. You can even sync this lead data to your CRM for lead nurturing

2. Attend events such as trade shows

Attending offline events is not just about handing out business cards. These events are a great way to make lasting impressions and connect with prospects on a deeper level. 

Research and choose a trade show that gathers your target audience, This is from where you show up in person and make human connections over similar interests. Make sure you provide an interactive experience to your audience. For instance, you can:

1. Offer on-demand demos of your product/services 
2. Present a use case where your product solves audience pain points 
3. Show video testimonials and social proofs about your product/services
4. Engage in conversations around the larger picture of your business
5. Let your prospects try your product

3. Conduct seminars and workshops

Seminars and workshops act as lead magnets, attracting targeted audiences who come for valuable knowledge. Here’s how they help generate offline leads:

1. Focus on topics relevant to your target audience. Attendees interested in the subject are likely leads seeking the solutions you offer.

2. Position yourself as an authority with insightful content. This builds trust and demonstrates the value you can bring.

3. Collect contact information through registration or attendee lists. These become qualified leads to nurture through follow-up communication.

4. Engage directly with attendees, answer questions, and establish personal connections. This fosters stronger leads more likely to convert.

5. Generate positive attendee feedback and word-of-mouth to create organic reach and attract additional leads interested in your expertise.

4. Introduce referral and loyalty programs

Motivate your existing clients to refer your business in their circle, via word-of-mouth marketing through an incentivized referral program. This can be particularly effective for reaching new customers who share similar interests or demographics with your existing base.

You can also organize loyalty programs that can transform customers into enthusiastic brand ambassadors. By offering exclusive discounts, early access to products, or other perks, you can incentivize them to recommend your business to their friends and family.

You can use QR Codes to run these campaigns in a convenient and cost-effective channel for your audience to participate in the programs. 

You can simply include these QR Codes on your product receipt or packaging for your customers to scan and take part in your referral/loyalty program. What’s more? You can track and analyze the performance of your incentive campaign through these QR Codes.

5. Launch a direct mail campaign

Direct mail simply means delivering physical marketing materials to your prospect’s mailboxes. Studies show that physical marketing material takes 21% less effort for the brain to process. So, personalized direct mail can be a great way to engage your audience and stand out amidst the digital noise, making it an excellent method to boost offline lead generation. 

Segment the audience, craft compelling offers and headlines, and incorporate an efficient response system. To encourage your audience further, you can offer discounts and incentives via simple methods like adding a QR Code to your direct mail campaigns. These QR Codes can swiftly direct recipients to dedicated landing pages or sign-up forms, enabling them to claim incentives promptly while sharing their details.

6. Practise cold calling

Cold calling is an age-old strategy that has still not lost its relevance in lead generation and conversion. Make sure you research your prospects, build a strategy for each segment, and craft a compelling script. This can help you turn prospects into warm leads. 

Answer your prospect’s questions quickly and clearly, make them curious, and start building a connection. 

Just ensure not to bombard your prospects with calls, as it can backfire. You must strategically schedule your calls, time your follow-ups appropriately, and keep them concise.

7. Use print advertisements

This strategy involves displaying ads for your product/service in print mediums such as trade publications, catalogs, magazines, brochures, billboards, and flyers. 

However, before initiating your print campaign and publishing your ads, you should first identify the ideal medium that is most accessible to your target audience. 

You can include QR Codes in your print ads. Let your audience scan and instantly sign-up with your brand for exclusive offers or incentives while you gather their details in real-time.

The Dos and Donts of Offline Lead Generation

Before you jump into putting one of the best ways to generate offline leads into your next networking, Keep these dos and don’ts in mind:

Dos of offline lead generation

1. Do thorough research on your customers and segment them before starting with offline lead generation. 
2. Do maintain brand consistency across all mediums (such as your website, social media platforms, etc.), so that your audience identifies your brand everywhere.
3. Do track your lead generation efforts to craft an effective strategy. Analyze your lead engagement, their pain points, and requirements. 

Don’ts of offline lead generation

1. Don’t neglect lead nurturing. It will help you build strong relationships, establish trust, and boost conversion rates.
2. Don’t bombard your leads with constant cold calls. Schedule your calls strategically.
3. Don’t rely entirely on one tactic only. A generalized tactic may not work for all audience segments. Always plan ahead and try a combination of proven tactics to get more leads.

Maximize offline lead generation with Uniqode’s digital business cards

You need a modern tool like a digital business card to sync your offline strategies with cutting-edge technologies. 

To truly make the most of them, opt for a digital business card solution that effortlessly shares your contact information while capturing valuable lead details.

Uniqode’s (formerly Beaconstac) digital business cards do just that. You can share contact details and capture lead data with a single card. Each data you capture is stored in an intuitive digital address book (list of leads) in real-time. You can sync this address book with your organization’s CRM.

The best part? The functionality to build a digital address book comes out of the box— regardless of the pricing plan you choose. 

Frequently asked questions about offline lead generation

1. What is an offline lead?

Offline leads refer to any lead that you generate via offline platforms and sources. Offline leads tend to convert faster as the lead generation techniques mostly involve an in-person approach. According to studies, 40% of offline leads convert into new customers, whereas only 18% of online leads convert.

What are the best offline platforms to generate leads for business?

The following are the best offline platforms businesses can use to generate quality leads:

1. Networking events
2. Trade shows
3. Seminars and Workshops
4. Direct mail
5. Print advertisements
6. Cold calls

• Author Details

Author Details

Athira Unnikrishnan

A passionate writer with an inquisitive eye for marketing, Athira comes with over 5 years of experience researching and writing about B2B SaaS products. Presently, she helps people understand the benefits of a digital business card and how they help modernize networking & lead generation. To know more about her work, and her published work around digital business cards, click here.

athira.u@beaconstac.com