Yes, we all LOVE our computers! Isn’t it great to have oceans of information at our fingertips? I love my computer as much as the next person; however, I don’t want to do all of my reading on my computer screen.
First, it hurts my eyes after a while. It’s hard to curl up with my computer for a good read. It’s not always on when I’m ready to read. I don’t necessarily want to read my computer screen when I am on a long flight, train or car ride.
And don’t even get me started about the bathroom!
Printed material can be used very effectively in conjunction with “digital” media, such as e-newsletters. In fact, many studies show that people much prefer to read certain types of material NOT on the computer screen, but in their own hands.
Think about your own handling of emailed material. How quick we are to press that DELETE key! I know I am inundated with emails every hour of every working day, and I can only process so much. If an email is not recognized by me as “mission critical,” BOOM, there it goes down the proverbial e-toilet!
You don’t have to take my word for it, though. Here are some links showing the benefits of printed material over digital messages:
http://www.thenewsletterexperts.com/PrintNewsletterAdvantages.html
http://www.printgrowstrees.com/paper-facts2.html
http://printinthemix.com/fastfacts/show/319
So, don’t necessarily ditch that email marketing campaign just yet. Merely keep in mind that print and digital can both play nicely together in the sandbox!