Updated April 2026
With so many digital resources at our fingertips, some question the effectiveness of older, more traditional promotional methods, especially print marketing.
Print marketing typically includes sending printed materials such as newspapers, brochures, magazines, and flyers. It has a particularly long history as the go-to for advertising—long before the internet existed.
But now we have ample digital resources at our fingertips, including social media and email campaigns, so some people may question whether print still suits their marketing strategies, especially business owners who are primarily concerned with creating more revenue. According to marketing research, a campaign ROI of 5:1 is considered strong, so you may be pursuing a tactic that can meet this mark of generating five times as much money as you invest.
So this raises the question: Is sending traditional marketing still relevant? Actually, print is still one of the best marketing tactics to try. Here’s why you shouldn’t leave it in the past.
Print retains its rightful place
Print materials give your clients and prospects something tangible to keep.
While the internet and social media are constantly changing the meaning of “effective marketing,” they’re not the only route to take. Businesses still value traditional marketing because it still works. Regardless of their importance (and they are important), relying on Facebook ads and social media posts alone isn’t a surefire way to connect with prospects and clients.
Millions of people still trust and rely on print media for information and entertainment. Adapting to technology is necessary, but it doesn’t require that we abandon proven strategies altogether.
Print has staying power
For small business owners and solopreneurs in particular, there remains a significant and unique advantage to print marketing that proponents of digital marketing haven’t figured out: longevity. Consumers keep magazines and books for practical reasons since they include information for use and reference, but they also use them to decorate their living spaces.
Whether it’s dog-earing a story that resonated, a recipe for safekeeping, tearing out contact information to keep or share, or saving a special offer to put on the fridge, these traditional forms of print media are still a regular part of everyday life. Collateral like a personally branded magazine can sit on a coffee table for weeks, keeping your brand in front of your audience.
Collateral like a personally branded magazine can sit on a coffee table for weeks, literally keeping your brand in front of your audience.
Change is inevitable in the marketing world, and keeping an eye on what’s next is important in any business. However, promoting your brand through conventional tactics still produces big payoffs. While longevity plays a role, so does the difference in the real and perceived qualities of print versus digital media.
Print is enjoyable
A high-quality print publication will often occupy a spot on consumers’ coffee tables, something that digital marketing tools have yet to earn. As a case in point, 52% of those who receive a personally branded magazine from one of our clients keep their copies on their coffee tables for up to 10 weeks.
A tangible, physical object like one of our personally branded magazines enjoys the coveted attention of those who pick it up. This tactile experience influences perceptions of value and trust that extend to your brand. When your prospects and customers peruse the pages of your magazine, they will associate its high-quality images and engaging content with you!
Compare this experience and its brand-boosting benefits to posts that fall prey to the rapid scroll of social media users, and you’ll quickly see that print marketing is a highly effective and powerful method for reaching and connecting with clients and prospects.
It’s important to recognize the pros and cons of different marketing approaches, and having a healthy mix of digital and traditional methods helps ensure that you maximize your exposure across multiple channels.
Think about what works best for you and your business rather than only looking at what’s trending. Traditional marketing methods should remain a vital part of your overall marketing strategy and not just be seen as something “old school.”
Kick off one of the best marketing tactics out there
Next time you sit down to develop your marketing plan, don’t forget about the power of traditional tactics that are anything but out-of-date. Sending print products can offer staying power, paint your brand in a positive light, and lead to more repeat sales and client referrals for exceptional overall ROI.
If you’d like to get a free sample of any of our four personally branded magazines with no obligation to you, click here, and we’ll be happy to send a PDF copy to your inbox.
