5 Ways to Mix Online Media and Traditional Marketing to Paint the Town (and Get More Customers)

Alright, painters, it’s time to step up your marketing game. You know how you blend colors to get the perfect shade? Well, marketing works the same way. By combining the old-school charm of traditional marketing with the digital dazzle of online media, you can turn curious homeowners into loyal clients. Here are five ways to make it happen, with a splash of humor to keep things fun.

1. Pair Door Hangers with Social Media Ads

Let’s talk about door hangers. They’re like little love notes for your neighborhood—except instead of saying “I like you,” they say, “Hire me to make your house look amazing.” Now, take it up a notch by following those door hangers with social media ads that hit the same audience.

How It Works: Imagine you’ve left door hangers in a neighborhood that’s overdue for a paint job (you’ve seen those peeling shutters). Create a geo-targeted Facebook or Instagram campaign so when those homeowners sit down to scroll, boom, they see your ad.

Bonus Tip: Add a QR code to your door hanger that says, “Scan here to book a free estimate!” QR codes are the modern equivalent of breadcrumbs—except these lead to your website instead of a trail of carbs.

2. Combine Local Events with Email Campaigns

Picture this: You’re at a community event, chatting up homeowners who desperately need their beige walls banished. You hand them a flyer and make a great impression. But how do you keep that momentum? Enter the email campaign.

How It Works: Collect email addresses at the event with a giveaway like, “Enter to win a free accent wall!” (Who wouldn’t want a pop of color in their life?) Follow up with an email that says, “Thanks for stopping by! Ready to refresh your space? Click here to book.”

Bonus Tip: On your booth, include a sign that says, “Follow us on Instagram for daily color inspiration!” People love a good Insta-scroll.

3. Use Print Ads to Drive Traffic to Your Website

Print ads are like the grandparents of marketing—classic, reliable, and full of stories to tell. But don’t let them work alone. Use them to send readers straight to your website.

How It Works: In your postcard or newspaper ad, say something enticing like, “Visit our website to see jaw-dropping before-and-after photos!” (Because who doesn’t love a good makeover story?)

Bonus Tip: Create a special landing page just for this campaign. Something catchy like “www.FreshCoatMagic.com” will not only grab attention but also help you track how well your print ads are working.

4. Leverage Customer Testimonials Across Both Channels

There’s nothing like a happy customer to sell your services. Those glowing reviews? Use them everywhere. They’re your marketing gold.

How It Works: Take your best online reviews and sprinkle them into your traditional marketing—flyers, brochures, you name it. Add a line like, “See why your neighbors are raving about us at [website link].” On the flip side, encourage customers from your offline interactions to leave reviews on Google or Yelp.

Bonus Tip: Record short video testimonials with your most enthusiastic clients. Share them online and mention in your flyers, “Watch what our clients have to say about us at [website].”

5. Pair Direct Mail Campaigns with Retargeting Ads

Ah, direct mail. The OG of marketing. But instead of letting those postcards do all the heavy lifting, tag-team them with some online retargeting ads for extra oomph.

How It Works: Send out a postcard with a special offer like, “20% off all interior painting booked by [date].” Then, run retargeting ads on Facebook or Google for anyone who visits your website after getting the mailer. It’s like giving them a friendly nudge to follow through.

Bonus Tip: Include a unique promo code on your mailer, like “PAINT25,” so you can track how many people take the bait. Plus, it sounds cool—who doesn’t love a good discount code?

Why This Works

Combining online media and traditional marketing creates a one-two punch that’s hard to ignore. When someone sees your name on a flyer, then on their phone, and maybe even at a local event, they’ll think, “Wow, this painter is everywhere!” Familiarity builds trust, and trust leads to more bookings (and more walls to paint).