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Today might be considered the “Digital Age,” but print is most definitely not dead, especially in the world of marketing. In fact, it’s incredibly easy to be overlooked by potential customers with an exclusively digital marketing approach, as most people are constantly bombarded with online advertisements and emails, every day. However, print can prove to be a breath of fresh air for your digitally-fatigued target audience. Print, while an effective marketing medium on it’s own, serves as a great compliment for digital strategies, as well. Here are just a few of the best ways print can be used to enhance your digital marketing efforts.
QR Codes
QR codes have been in use for quite some time, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they have seen a huge surge in popularity. QR Codes are small graphics that can be scanned via smartphone, providing a hands free link to specific URLS. Incorporating these unique codes in printed materials (direct mail pieces, brochures, flyers, etc.) is a great way to provide consumers with an easy way to reach your website, social media, or other online destinations. You can even track the amount of times a specific code is used, giving you important data on where your online traffic is coming from.
Feature Online Reviews
Research shows that 84% of people trust online reviews as much as they trust recommendations from friends. Customer reviews can also increase conversions by an incredible 270%. With such a powerful influence, why should your business’ reviews be confined to the digital space? Including positive reviews and social media comments in your print marketing materials lets customers know how highly your business is regarded by others. It also is a great method for increasing brand awareness and showcasing your online presence to customers who may not have been previously aware of it.
Incorporate Campaign Hashtags
Incorporating hashtags specific to your individual business, or more specifically, a running online campaign, is another great way print can boost your digital marketing efforts. Using campaign hashtags along with a call-to-action to share it on social media combines two strategies for a greater impact. One great example of this is Coca-Cola’s famous #ShareACokeCampaign. Coca-Cola incorporated this hashtag into signs, posters, clings, and even their product packaging to promote their campaign, therefore redirecting hundreds of thousands of customers to their online platforms.
Digital and print marketing tactics are not mutually exclusive to each other when developing a marketing plan. It’s true that with all the hype surrounding digital methods, it can be easy to forget just how effective print marketing truly is. However, in a world where the market is so saturated with online advertisements, foregoing print is a recipe for disaster. The fact is, the most successful marketing strategies incorporate print as well. By combining the two, you offer consumers a much more memorable experience, further your reach, and ultimately increase your marketing success more than you ever would with a purely digital approach!
Written by Omega High Impact Print Solutions' Digital Marketing Specialist, Emily Steel