Most of us have two lives – our “real” life and our “online” life. Generally, they remain separate, but have you ever considered merging the two facets to boost your sales base? If you really want to get noticed, reach out to your online social and professional networks with a print or promotional piece. Learn how to reach your network.

Your first step should be to weed through your contacts and glean the contact information for those who best fit into your target audience. Sites like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn give information about your contacts and their companies. Do a little further research and you should be able to find mailing and email addresses. Compile this information into a database for your marketing efforts.

You can also become a member of groups that are associated with your industry, and keep tabs on other businesses and individuals who might benefit from your services. Look for opportunities to offer a “helping hand.” Are they griping about an unfavorable situation? Looking for advice? Be mindful of their concerns and be ready to send them promotional information on how you can help.

Craft a message that alludes to your online acquaintance, but show that you are eager to make a “real” life connection. Be mindful of any struggles they might be facing and describe how you can help. Don’t hesitate to use your social media savvy as a selling point in your message.

Finally, tread gently. Not everyone likes to combine their online activities and their real life interactions. Make sure you have some sort of “relationship” with your contacts before you market to them directly. Approach this process as delicately as you would any other sales process, while still being assertive in promoting your company. Don’t spam your contacts – it will severely hamper your credibility. In the virtual world of the internet, tangible things, like receiving direct mail or promotional email, can be huge differentiators.