The massive shift to the digital ad space has left a TON of opportunity in print advertising. Between shortening attention spans and the search of content we want, we’ve trained ourselves to swipe past ads and sponsored content as we doom scroll, or fast forward through commercials on our streaming services.
Is Print Advertising Still Relevant?
In today’s digital age, it’s easy to think that print advertisements are a thing of the past. With the rise of online advertising, social media, and other digital marketing channels, many businesses have shifted their focus away from traditional print media. However, print advertisements are still a powerful and effective way to reach your target audience, and they shouldn’t be overlooked.
Different Types of Print Advertisements
Print advertising doesn’t need to be just your typical billboard or newspaper spot, there are several different forms of print advertising that you can use to reach your demographic.
Newspapers
Newspaper advertisements are one of the most common forms of print advertising. They can range from small classified ads to full-page spreads.
Magazines
Magazine advertisements are often more visually appealing and can target specific interests or demographics based on the magazine’s content. The added bonus of magazine advertisements is that most magazines are simultaneously published digitally, meaning you will have an extended reach with your ads.
Brochures and Flyers
These are typically used for promotional purposes and can be distributed in various locations or through direct mail.
Direct Mail
Direct mail is a way to get directly into your audience’s mailbox through flyers, postcards, catalogues, and other forms of mailed materials.
Billboards and Outdoor Advertising
While not technically print advertisements, billboards, and outdoor advertising still fall under the category of traditional advertising and can be highly effective in reaching a local audience.
Why People Moved Away from Print Advertisements And How To Leverage Them
As digital marketing gained popularity, many businesses shifted their focus away from print advertisements for a few reasons, but
Cost
Print advertising can be expensive, especially for larger campaigns or publications with high circulation.
That being said, these days print has started to become more accessible again between printing centers having sales, or working with a marketing agency that is able to order larger quantities at a better price.
Measurability
It can be challenging to accurately measure the effectiveness of print advertisements, making it difficult to gauge the return on investment.
But if you are trying to drive brand awareness, measurability isn’t always a factor that you need to consider. There are some forms of print advertising that you can work to be measurable. A common way to do that are through mailers and flyers by incentivizing bringing the mailer or flyer back to your business. Additionally, you can add QR codes with UTM tags to your print marketing so what a customer scans it, the actions can be tracked.
Targeting
Digital advertising allows for more precise targeting based on user data and behavior, which can be more effective for certain businesses.
Not all businesses or campaigns need to have precise targeting though, and if you are a business that has a mailing list or customer loyalty program, you can easily retarget your existing customers through direct mail.
How to Know if Print Ads Are Right for You
While many initially moved away from print advertisements, they are now returning because print is still be an effective marketing tool for certain businesses and demographics. While print isn’t for everyone, there are a few guidelines to see if it would be a fit for you:
Target Audience
Let’s talk about your business demographic or who you want to target, are they older and less likely to be internet savvy? Then print advertising is likely the way to go to reach them! These people generally aren’t big on social media and might not even have an email address, but they have a mailbox that they check daily.
Pro-Tip: Are you a retail company that pushes sales around the holiday or what to drum up business? Then a small mailer or mini catalogue is a great way to get your products in from of your customers and get them in store. Older demographics are the mostlikely to bring a catalogue into the store to try and find a specific product.
Local Reach
For businesses targeting a local audience, print advertisements in community newspapers or magazines can be an effective way to reach potential customers in your area.
Brand Awareness
Print advertisements can be a powerful tool for building brand awareness and establishing a professional image, especially for businesses in industries like luxury goods, real estate, or high-end services.
Longevity
Unlike digital advertisements that can be easily skipped or forgotten, print advertisements have a longer lifespan and can be kept or shared, increasing their potential reach.
When creating print advertisements, it’s important to consider factors such as design, messaging, and call-to-action to ensure that your advertisements are effective and engaging.
While digital marketing has undoubtedly gained significant traction, print advertisements should not be overlooked. They can be a powerful tool for reaching specific demographics, building brand awareness, and establishing a professional image. By carefully considering your target audience and the types of print advertisements available, you can create an effective print advertising campaign that complements your overall marketing strategy.
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