Print media is still relevant and should be used
in business marketing strategies.
Have you ever walked into a hotel or visitors center and seen a display of brochures showing you all the fun things you can do in the city you’re currently in? Or do you still pick up a magazine to take with you on a long flight? Print media is still relevant and ever present in 2022. Business cards, brochures, magazine ads, fliers, and invitations are all print media and can be used for marketing purposes. While the internet has become a marketing playground for those wishing to create a following for their business, print marketing should not be neglected. Read on to find out why!
Print media is all around us and can be much more convenient than the internet in many cases. I for one refuse to read a book on a tablet: I want the real thing, in my hand, smells and all. But that’s just one example; print media is everywhere. My husband and I’s favorite Irish Pub has a bulletin board hanging up to the immediate left of the entrance, which displays community events and classes. Most menus that you find in restaurants are physical as well as the receipt that you receive at the end of your meal. If you’re interested in having a dinner party at said restaurant, they might provide you with a brochure listing pricing options as well as select menus. In these cases, a company used print media to connect with the customer, where as if they used the internet, the connection wouldn’t have been made.
Print media also creates an authenticity that your brand might not have had otherwise. This authenticity will improve customer trust within your target audience. As stated in an article by SB Marketing, “As the printed materials occupy a physical space, it creates a value of possession that can be leveraged in the long run. It registers and stays in the minds of your customers for a long time,” (3 Reasons Why Print Marketing is Still Important, 2020). A physical piece of information or advertisement is something your customers can take with them and keep on hand if they need to give your business a call or pass on the information to a friend.
We now understand the importance of print media, so let’s look at some example of materials you might want to look into for your own business.
Business Cards and Brochures
Business cards are one of the more requested items that we receive here at Ad Design. Once a customer has a logo, they’re ready to have business cards designed and printed. To get the most out of your business cards, keep them on you at all times. I keep a handful in my wallet, because once I tell people what I do, they start asking about the business and may even directly ask for a business card. This is a great way to get people interested in your brand and services.
Brochures are also important in providing physical material that displays a handful of information about your business. As mentioned, physical marketing materials stick with your customers more than seeing your ad on social media as they quickly scroll past. Brochures are like a miniature version of your website that people can take with them and pass on to others, or have on hand for when they require your products or services.
Mailers and fliers
As I’ve mentioned, I receive a good amount of advertisements through the mail. While I don’t advise sending mailers to those outside of your target audience, sending them to loyal customers can be a reminder to them about who you are or provide coupons/promotions. I love getting mail from Bath & Body Works, because I know there is always a coupon or two inside!
I don’t know about you, but I tend to receive a lot of print marketing through the mail. I’ve received mini catalogs from a shoe store, a menu from a restaurant I didn’t know existed, and fliers about events going on around town. While some of these items tend to go in the trash immediately, some have been placed on my refrigerator; when I want to order takeout or am looking for something to do over the weekend, I don’t need to go searching the internet, I just walk into my kitchen and use my fridge as a search engine!
Fliers as well can be an easy way of getting the word out about events, classes, or promotions. I can name a handful of places around town that feature bulletin boards filled with local fliers. Our library is a hub for information on events and fairs and I often look here for fun things to do.
Print Ads
Yes, people still read physical newspapers and magazines. These can be good opportunities to advertise your business, whether in a small town newspaper, or a well known magazine. Organizations looking for sponsors may offer you a free print ad or booth with a sponsorship for their event. During the summer months, Ad Design receives a lot (and I mean A LOT) of calls about creating sponsorship signs for golf outing events: you donate to a cause and you get a sign with your company name and information on it. Or purchase your own signs to place around town or in front of your commercial building. There are so many ways to get your business name seen through print media.
Here are some more examples of print media:
- Books
- Newsletters
- Posters
- Invitations
- Folders
- Product Catalogs
To summarize, print media can be seen all around us: brochures filled with fun activities, fliers for local events, coupons sent through the mail, and everything in between. We know that print marketing is as relevant today as it was when the idea was first born, so don’t neglect it. While your website and online presence is important, your physical presence is just as important in creating an authentic experience for your customers.
If you would like to learn more about the importance of print marketing, check out this website: https://sbmarketingllc.com/ or call us today.
SB Marketing LLC. “3 Reasons Why Print Marketing Is Still Important.” SB Marketing LLC, SB Marketing LLC Https://Sbmarketingllc.com/Wp-Content/Uploads/2020/05/Optimized-2-SB-Marketing-Logo-Transparent.png, 28 Sept. 2020, https://sbmarketingllc.com/3-reasons-why-print-marketing-is-still-important/#:~:text=Print%20marketing%20helps%20present%20your,target%20audiences%20based%20on%20placement.