Trends and ideas to boost your marketing efforts in 2023
Is print media dead? This has been a perennial question for the past few years, yet print continues to find its way into modern marketing.
Today, print and digital marketing are becoming less and less inseparable, and marketers have found effective solutions that combine both platforms.
The biggest advantage of print marketing is that it allows brands to reach a specific demographic and leave a more professional impression.
As we ring in the new year, we look at the marketing trends of 2023 and how you can make your print marketing campaigns as successful as possible.
Augmented Reality in Print
AR-in-print is a physical-digital concept that enables a smartphone to read printed material through AR, creating a digital experience of interactivity. Augmented print principles are an eye-catching and attention-grabbing tool that allows your customer to take a 360-degree overview of your product.
Unique Deals in QR Codes
Placing scannable discount codes on the pages of printed material make end users stay hooked on the deals you are offering. Moreover, this approach allows you to track customer feedback, activity, and preferences so you can see how they search for products. You now get an opportunity to predict which marketing services help improve brand awareness.
The Newsletter is Back
A surprising trend in 2023 is the return of the print newsletter. There are still plenty of consumers who do not have email and are not active online, and companies are advertising to this customer base by sending unique VIP deals through newsletters.
Sustainable Packaging
Environmental awareness has had a massive impact on how businesses communicate with customers. If you continue to promote your deals through print media, be sure to stick to sustainable materials. Companies with eco-friendly policies can create a more positive image for their brands.
Personalised Templates
Although the preferences of different customers can be the same, it is your task to make each of them feel unique when communicating with them. Custom prints help build a strong relationship with your audience.
User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) continues to be a big trend in marketing. But what exactly is user-generated content?
User-generated content is defined as “any content that has been created and published by unpaid contributors”. These include text, videos, images, and product reviews.
Among the benefits of integrating UGC into your marketing efforts are increased brand awareness, improved social engagement, and more generated leads.
So how does UGC work in print marketing?
One way is to feature UGC on your flyers, brochures, or posters. For example, you could highlight a customer testimonial on your print material, or include a photo submitted by a customer. You could also add a QR code that takes the reader to a customer video review.
Whether you use z-cards, leaflets, or billboards, you can integrate UGC as part of your print marketing strategy. Customer reviews and case studies can be a great way to build trust with your audience, as these stories encourage them to explore your products even further.
Another way to feature UGC in print is to launch a contest or campaign inviting customers to submit their photos or videos using your product. By featuring UGC in your print marketing materials, you’ll be able to harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing and showcase the voice of your satisfied customers.
Video Marketing
Video marketing was huge in 2022 and will continue to trend this year. Video has the power to engage your customer like no other printed text can, which is why it’s important to keep up with your video marketing content.
Print marketing creates trust and establishes authenticity, while digital marketing keeps your audience engaged and prompts them to take action. QR codes are one way you can combine print and digital marketing – taking your reader from printed text to a visual demonstration of your product on YouTube or your website.
Email Marketing
This is an old trend that keeps getting better every year. Sending promotional emails to people who have subscribed to your email list means that you’ll be targeting people who actually WANT to hear from you.
One way to build your email list is through print marketing. Add QR codes that entice readers to subscribe to your email newsletter – with a discount offer to entice them. Having them enter a code allows you to track how many subscribers you have gained from one piece of print advertisement.
Cohesive Customer Experience
One trend we saw in 2022 and expect to continue this year is the creation of a cohesive customer experience. Businesses do this by ensuring that their print marketing matches its digital counterpart for instant brand recognition.
To create a consistent look for your brand, display the same logo, colours, and fonts across all marketing platforms. Whether your customers are interacting with you through your website, social media channels, or printed materials, they will encounter the same look and tone of voice that will help build loyalty and brand recognition.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
One of the top trends we expect to see in 2023 is inclusivity. This means making your message accessible to all.
For print marketing, you can use high-contrast colours, large font sizes, Braille or raised lettering, and clear and concise language that resonate with every customer no matter their limitations.
With an inclusive approach to print marketing, you can ensure that no one is left out and that your promotional materials can reach every potential customer.
What Lies Ahead: The Future of Print Media
While print media continues to decline, it remains a powerful news source and advertising medium.
For one, audiences trust print ads more than online ads. In fact, 91% of customers report that digital ads have become intrusive and annoying over the past five years, and 46% of adults in a 2021 Insider Intelligence survey said they find print media more trustworthy.
Also, 70% of people say they prefer reading physical books, while only 24% enjoy reading eBooks.
Print media continues to be the preferred medium for published adverts. For example, you can’t put a YouTube video on your coffee table or in a mailbox.
Print marketing also allows brands to cut through the digital noise during a retro nostalgia resurgence in this post-pandemic era.
So, while print media is fading, it is far from dead.
Print media will continue to evolve with the times. And if you’re ready to explore print advertising options for your business in the digital age – we can help!
Jennings Print is a one-stop shop for all your promotional marketing needs! We provide creative marketing solutions, striking designs, and quality printed material that helps your brand cut through the noise of the digital space.
Contact us today on 02 4933 5735 or admin@jenningsprint.com.au for high-quality brochures, flyers, corporate stationery, pull-up banners, vehicle signage, window decals, and much more.