You’ve probably heard it before…
“Print is dead…Everything’s online now…Nobody reads magazines anymore.”
However, every single week, local businesses across the West Midlands are still getting enquiries and new customers from local print advertising.
In this article we talk about why, despite all the noise online, we believe that print is still very much alive…
People Are Seeing More Content Than Ever
We’re all spending time online…but we’re also being shown thousands of pieces of content, adverts and messages every single day.
People scroll quickly and attention spans are shorter than ever, meaning businesses have to work harder to stay visible.
That doesn’t mean online marketing doesn’t work…far from it…but relying on one Facebook post here and there, or expecting one advert to suddenly transform enquiries, is often unrealistic.
Plus creating online content is VERY time consuming!
Being Visible In Multiple Places
The businesses that tend to do best are the ones who stay visible in multiple places.
That’s where combining trusted local print with online advertising can work really well.
Someone might spot your advert in West Midlands Magazines, then later visit your website, follow you on social media, check out your reviews or click on an online advert when the timing is right.
Marketing rarely works from just one touchpoint…you need to be showing up in multiple places.
Most people don’t suddenly need a plumber, accountant, kitchen company, beauty salon or local service the moment they see an advert…but they do remember businesses they recognise and when the time is right…they’re the ones they choose.
That’s where print becomes really powerful.
When local people see your business regularly in a trusted local magazine, something starts to happen…you become familiar…and familiarity builds trust.
In fact, research shows that people are becoming increasingly blind to online adverts, with many subconsciously scrolling past content without even noticing it.
That doesn’t mean online advertising doesn’t work…it absolutely does…but in a busy digital world, businesses often need more than one way to stay visible.
Print helps keep your business in front of local people consistently, while online advertising can help reinforce that message and keep you front of mind.
Print Has Staying Power
One of the biggest differences between print and digital is the fact that print sticks around.
A social media post may only be seen for a few hours. An advert online can disappear in seconds. But local magazines often stay in homes for weeks…sometimes even months…until they receive the next issue.
They’re left on kitchen sides, coffee tables, picked up while someone’s having a brew, or flicked through more than once.
That means your business isn’t just seen once….it’s seen again and again…and that repeated visibility is what helps build recognition, trust and enquiries over time.
It’s Not Print Or Digital…It’s Print And Digital
At West Midlands Magazines, we believe that the businesses that tend to see the best results are those that stay visible in multiple places.
Someone may spot your advert in one of our magazines or on our website and then later follow your social media, visit your website, or check out your online reviews, when the timing is right.
Because when local people are ready to buy, they’re far more likely to choose a business they already recognise and trust.
So…Is Print Dead?
We certainly don’t think so.
In fact, for many local businesses, trusted local print remains a powerful way to build awareness, stay visible and generate enquiries in the local area. Especially when combined with online activity too…because local people still trust familiar names.
When they need a product or service, they’re far more likely to choose someone they’ve seen before.
Print isn’t dead.
It’s simply become part of a smarter, more joined-up marketing strategy.
If you’d like to know more about our printed advertising options, download our Media Pack which includes full pricing.