Digital marketing is the most commonly used tool nowadays to promote products and businesses. There are many reasons why this is the case, such as accessibility and ease of use, as well as reaching a wider range of people. Since almost everyone is on the web and has access to social media pages, are printed marketing materials still doing their job and is it even worth investing in them?
Consumers still trust printed ads
Not everything has gone online and, believe it or not, most consumers trust printed marketing materials more than digital ones. Even though we’re all on the web, many people still prefer a pull up banner, flyers, posters, brochures, and invitations, rather than online ads. One reason is many email marketing materials are associated with viruses, spam and malware, to name a few.
Print subscriptions still exist
Many publications have gone digital, and a lot of magazines, newspapers, and printed advertisements are now done online. Even though digital materials dominate printed ads, not too many people are willing to shell out money for online subscriptions. They find it an unnecessary expense and would instead buy a magazine or newspaper when they feel like it.
Printed materials are easy to read
Nothing beats holding an actual book. Most people still prefer to have a physical book in their hands than read a novel straight out of an ePub reader. A physical text is easier on the eyes and much more comfortable to read compared to staring at a digital screen for hours.
Websites can have a lot going on, and it’s one of the reasons why customers still prefer printed ads. The latter is easier to read and navigate, while the former is too distracting and makes it more challenging to find the vital information that they’re after.
Memory retention is more effective
It’s easier to remember something when you read it straight from a piece of paper than seeing it somewhere online. In fact, there’s a British study showing students doing better in their assessments when they use paper notes and books.
This goes the same for marketing materials. Customers can recall information better when they read something from a brochure, poster, or banner. It creates a more lasting impression and will be easier to remember. Besides, most webpages are only full of pop up ads and irrelevant information, which pushes viewers to skim through and miss the critical details they need to know.
Tangible material is better
Many consumers still prefer tangible reading materials over digital ones. A good example would be physical greeting cards, which people choose over e-cards. Nothing beats receiving a letter in the post because it feels more personal and touching.
Even though we already live in the digital age, printed materials won’t be obsolete anytime soon. So, if you’re thinking of your next marketing strategy, don’t forget that investing in brochures, banners, and printed ads will help you with your sales; there’s no doubt about it!
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/banner-street-light-city-438053/