Are print or digital ads more memorable?
Sales & Marketing

Are print or digital ads more memorable?

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Today, we're talking about a tactic that's as classic as a vinyl record but still spins some serious results. Grab your coffee, and let's roll!

Ever wondered if those old-school print ads – direct mail, brochures, magazine spreads – still pack a punch in our digital world? Spoiler alert: They do, and here's why you shouldn't brush them off your marketing canvas.

TL;DR 🎯

Here's the scoop: Print ads have a secret superpower – they stick in people's memories way better than digital ads. So, while they might feel a bit 'vintage', they're actually memory-making machines.

Why does this matter? Well, in the marketing arena, being remembered is halfway to winning. And when it comes to recall, print ads are the heavyweight champs.

Wait...but why? 🤔

Okay, so what's the science behind this paper power?

When people flip through a magazine or hold a brochure, their brain lights up like a Christmas tree in the memory department. This is thanks to our good old friend, touch. The physical act of touching paper adds an extra layer of engagement, creating stronger, stickier memories. It's like gluing your brand into their brains – minus the mess.

What to watch out for ⚠️

Now, before you start printing enough flyers to wallpaper your office, remember: this study didn't directly link print ad memorability to sales spikes. It's more about keeping your brand in the consumer's mental Rolodex.

Plus, the whole 'people studying ads one by one' setup isn't exactly how we encounter ads in the wild. But still, if your ad can be the one they remember a week later, that's a win in my book.

How to do it ✅

Ready to give your marketing a print-boost? Here's how:

1. Mix it up: Don't ditch digital. Instead, think of print as the cheese to your digital wine – a perfect pairing.

2. Choose wisely: Pick the right print channels. Selling artisanal coffee? Maybe a trendy food magazine. High-end tech gadgets? Tech-focused direct mail could be your golden ticket.

3. Timing is everything: Print ads shine when there's a gap between seeing the ad and making the purchase. So, if you're not selling impulse buys, print could be your slow-burn superstar.

So, are you ready to give your brand a memory boost with a touch of print? Dust off those design skills, think outside the inbox, and let those print ads do their magic. Who knows, maybe your ad will be the one people remember while they're daydreaming in their next boring meeting.

Until next time, keep mixing the old with the new, and watch your brand stick like that song you can't get out of your head!

Want to learn more? 🤓

If you want to learn more about this topic, you can dig into the nerdy details in the original marketing study.

Quote of the week 💬

"Print ads are like vinyl records - in a digital world they have a tactile quality that makes the experience (and the message) stick."

About the author
Gabriel Mays, the Co-Founder and CEO of POPSMASH
Gabriel A. Mays
Gabriel Mays' Website
Co-Founder & CEO at POPSMASH
Before POPSMASH, Gabe was a Director at GoDaddy and founded two startups. He was also a Marine Corps Captain, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He lives with his wife and two kids on Cape Cod, MA.

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