The “Off = On” Trend

Want to be on the cutting edge? According to Trendwatching.com its time to start leveraging the online into your offline promotions. The following five “Off-On” trends are hot:

  1. Online symbols turned objects: merging well-known digital visuals (from pixels to logos to black-and-white QR compositions) with physical objects such as outdoor fencing, to google-branded products only available to google toolbar subscribers (in Japan) to iconic “pixel” fabric to my personal favorite, the incredibly beautiful jewelry made from precious metals and ethernet plugs by Jana Brevick.
  2. Born online: customer-generated products. You know when mainstream brands like Converse and M&Ms jump on the bandwagon the trend is full blown. The trend keeps evolving with avatars now joining the mix.
  3. Digital lifestyle lubricants: a traditional product that incorporates functionalities and enablers to make it more compatible with the online world. You know, USB bracelets to web-based connections for plush toys, like webkinz.
  4. Mirroring online behavior: adapting new business practices and processes that are being done better online to offline. From beta-test techy chocolate to in-store customization, offline can learn, nay mirror, best practices from online.
  5. Speaking online: speak the language, use the lingo, show consumers that you get it. And also, a picture speaks a thousand words. Using online iconography and symbols, like Leica’s Pixel dog campaign

What can you do with all this great information? Trendwatching.com has five tips to help you apply a trend. So, anyone successfully leveraging online to their offline businesses? Catching any other interesting trends? Please share!

Photo by madnithy at sxc.hu.

Related Posts to Trends:

Six Retail Trends You Need To Know About

The Changing Face Of the US Consumer- What It Means For Ecopreneurs

Times They Are a Changing: Green Marketing Tips for Eco Entrepreneurs in 2008

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About Jennifer Kaplan

Jennifer Kaplan is the founder of VineCrowd.com and the author of Greening Your Small Business (November 2009, Penguin Group (USA)). She is adjunct faculty in marketing at Goldengate University and is also totally stoked have been named one of The 16 Women You Must Follow on Twitter for Green Business.

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