While it might seem that everything is digital these days, statistics show that 80% of consumers take an action after interacting with printed mail advertisements.
No doubt you’ve heard that print is dead. But if that’s true, how come everywhere you look, someone is handing out a flyer or leaflet? The fact is, print marketing is very much alive.
Not only that, but it can be extremely effective when done right. In this guide, we’ll take a look at the many benefits of print marketing, and show you how to make the most of it. So read on and learn all about the power of print!
What Is Print Marketing?
Print marketing is a form of advertising that relies on physically printed materials, such as newspapers, magazines, direct mail, billboards, and more.
Some common types of print marketing you might see in modern-day marketing strategies include flyers, brochures, and catalogs. However, those are all part of direct mail marketing. Other forms of print marketing include signage and even door hanger printing.
Regardless of the type, this type of marketing has been around for centuries. Historians believe that ancient Egyptians might have used a special form of print marketing on papyrus. However, modern print marketing became popular with the invention of the printing press.
In today’s day and age, while some businesses have moved away from print marketing in favor of digital advertising, print marketing can still be an effective way to reach your target audience.
Why is it so effective? Print marketing allows you to target a specific audience with your message.
For example, if you are advertising a new product, you can target people who live in the same city or county as your business.
Print marketing can also be a great way to build brand awareness and create a more personal connection with your customers.
Print Marketing Services
Print marketing services are an important part of any company’s marketing and advertising strategy, but it can be hard to choose the right ones if you’re new to these types of marketing.
Here are some of the most common print marketing services you can choose to incorporate into your marketing plan.
Direct Mail
Direct mail marketing is a type of print marketing that involves sending advertising materials directly to potential customers through the mail. This can include promotional letters, postcards, coupons, catalogs, or other materials.
Direct mail offers several advantages over other marketing channels, including the ability to target specific demographics, the opportunity to create a personal connection with potential customers, and the chance to track results and measure ROI.
Print Ads
Print ads are a great way to reach a wide audience, and they can be very effective in driving sales. Where do you find these types of ads? Mainly in newspapers, magazines, and other publications. They can also be displayed on billboards and other public places.
Print ads are a great way to reach potential customers who might not be aware of your business otherwise. Print ads can be very cost-effective, and they can help you reach a large number of people. You can also use them to promote special offers or discounts.
However, you need to be sure your target audience will respond to these ads. We’ll walk you through what that means in a bit but it’s important to ensure that your audience enjoys and will engage with print ads before investing in this type of marketing.
Signage
Signage is one of the most basic, and yet most essential, forms of marketing. A well-designed sign can attract attention, convey important information, and build brand recognition.
Signage can be used for a wide variety of purposes, from bright, eye-catching signs that display outside your business to signs used for product displays and trade show booths.
For local businesses, signage is an essential part of any comprehensive marketing strategy, and it’s an investment that can pay dividends for years to come.
Benefits of Print Marketing
Now that you’re aware of the different types of print marketing services available to you, it helps to understand how they can benefit your business. Here are some biggest benefits of print marketing.
Print Is Tangible
Consumers can hold onto a printed piece and reference it later. This makes print a powerful tool for building brand awareness and recall.
Print Is Personal
When you send a direct mail piece or hand out a flyer, you’re creating a one-to-one connection with your customer. This personal touch can help build relationships and loyalty.
Print Is Distinct
In a world where consumers are bombarded with marketing messages, print stands out. A well-designed print piece can cut through the clutter and grab attention.
Print Is Flexible
There are many ways to use print to reach your goals, from direct mail to trade shows to packaging. And because print can be customized, you can create material that’s specific to your target audience.
Basically, whether you’re looking to build brand awareness, create connections, or stand out from the crowd, print marketing can help you achieve your goals.
Is Print Marketing Right for Your Business?
This is a question that only you can answer. To make the best decision, you’ll need to consider your budget, your target audience, and your goals. Here are some helpful tips on how to take a look at your business and marketing goals to make the right decision.
Understand Your Audience
More and more businesses are advertising online, and it’s easy to see why. Online marketing is cost-effective, far-reaching, and easy to track. However, that doesn’t mean that print marketing is a thing of the past. In fact, for many businesses, print marketing can be highly effective.
The key to success with print marketing however is to understand your audience. For example, if your target market is older or less tech-savvy, they may be more likely to see and respond to a print ad than an online one.
Likewise, if you’re trying to reach a local audience, print ads in newspapers and magazines can be a great way to get your business in front of potential customers.
How do you define and understand your audience though? Consider their demographics, such as age, gender, location, and income level. Then, think about their interests and needs. What problems are they trying to solve? What information do they need to make a decision?
Once you have a good understanding of your target audience, you can begin creating content that speaks directly to them. Keep in mind that your target audience may change over time, so it’s important to revisit your research regularly.
Consider Your Budget
When trying to understand whether or not print marketing is right for your business, it helps to have a good gauge of your overall marketing budget. Print marketing can be an expensive undertaking, and you will need to weigh the costs against the potential benefits before making a decision.
However, if you have a limited budget, you can rely on other print marketing strategies and tactics such as postcard marketing.
While direct mail marketing is pretty cost-effective all around, postcard marketing might be an easy way for you to target a local audience and increase your marketing efforts without investing in large expensive signage or digital campaigns.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use print marketing should be based on a careful evaluation of your specific business needs and goals.
How to Incorporate Print Marketing Into Your Marketing Plan
Hopefully, by now you see that print marketing is a physical representation of your brand that people can hold onto. It’s a cost-effective way to make a lasting impression. However, it’s only cost-effective if you use it the right way and learn how to get the most out of your campaigns.
Here are some tips on how you can incorporate print marketing into your plan.
Provide Digital Opt-Ins With Direct Mail
By including a website address on your print materials, you can make it easy for recipients to sign up for your email list or learn more about your products and services. This will help you stay in touch with them long after they’ve received your brochure or postcard.
You can also use direct mail to promote sales and special offers. Including a coupon or discount code on your mailer is a great way to encourage people to take advantage of your products or services instead of simply saving your brochure with the other mail they received.
Use QR Codes on All Print Materials
You can also include a QR code on your mailers that customers can scan to access your website or sign up for your email list.
This also will make it easy for customers to find your website or social media page and learn more about your company. This is a great way to generate leads and connect with potential customers.
If you’re using print marketing as a way to generate leads or for specific offers then consider using QR codes for each campaign that link to a unique landing page. Use an eye-catching call to action above the QR code that tells prospects what they’ll get by scanning it.
Use different codes for each campaign and see how many people scanned each one.
As an added benefit, you can use these QR codes to measure how well your print ads are performing. This will give you a good idea of which ads are most effective and whether or not your print marketing is worth the investment.
Use the Right Call to Actions
Most print marketing materials, such as flyers and brochures, include some sort of call to action. This is what tells the reader what to do next, such as visiting your website or calling your store.
It’s important to make sure that your call to action is clear and concise. Otherwise, readers may not know what to do or they may get confused and simply throw your marketing material away.
Additionally, make sure that your call to action is relevant to the specific marketing campaign you’re running. For example, if you’re running a sale, include a call to action that encourages customers to come in and take advantage of the deals.
Finally, consider using a strong verb that will motivate the reader to take action, such as “earn more,” “get started,” or “ discover now.” By using an effective call to action, you can encourage readers of your printed materials to take the next step in the customer journey.
Include Brand Socials & Hashtags
One way to ensure that your print marketing campaign is successful is to incorporate brand socials and hashtags. By doing this, you will be able to connect with your target audience on a more personal level and increase the chances that they will remember your brand.
Additionally, you can use hashtags to track the success of your campaign and gauge interest from potential customers. When choosing which hashtags to use, select ones that are relevant to your brand and that you think your audience will be searching for.
Include a mix of popular and lesser-known hashtags to reach a wider audience. Then, make sure you’re posting high-quality, engaging content on whichever channels you’ve promoted to them.
How to Choose the Right Print Marketing Company
Aside from developing the right marketing materials, working with the right print marketing company is key to success. After all, you can design the perfect brochure and create the perfect call to action, but if it’s printed poorly the entire campaign will fall flat.
How can you know which print marketing company is right for you?
The first step is to determine your needs. Think about the following:
- What type of printing do you need?
- What quantity of print marketing materials do you need?
- What is your ideal turnaround time?
- What is your budget?
Once you have a good idea of what you need, you can start contacting companies and asking for quotes. Be sure to ask about their turnaround time and whether they offer discounts for larger orders. Once you have a few quotes in hand, you can start to narrow down your choices.
Get a Print Marketing Quote Today
At Catdi, we have years of experience serving Texas business owners. We have been operating from Houston since 2005 and are now one of the state’s best 24/7 online print fulfillment providers.
If you’re interested in learning more about our print marketing services or would like to get a free quote, get in touch. We look forward to working with you.
