Here's Why Print Isn't Dead

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This is a topic that is very highly disputed, depending on each person's position relative to it. As we've ferociously been moving our entire lives online, our printed materials have become less and less popular. This is evident in the fact that even major publications and magazines such as Newsweek that had been printing for 79 years, went to digital only back in 2012. This was due to their subscription/circulation numbers dropping from 3,077,771 to 1,535,930, in only three years (2007-2010).

So there's no question that the shift from print to digital is in full swing. Many content providers including associations and corporations are following the trend and putting their educational content online, which by the way, is a very good thing! But the problem lies when those same associations and corporations switch all of their printed material online. Sure it sounds like a great idea at the time, but there are a few major issues with eliminating all of your printed materials.

Here's 4 Reasons Why Print Isn't Dead:

1) Engaged Reading: Many studies have shown that people who read printed material versus material that is online are more engaged. People that read large blocks of text (which most educational material is) want few distractions so they can focus on the task at hand. Online material is easy to access, but the reader is only a few clicks away from millions of distractions. With a printed copy, it's just the reader and the paper.

2) People Want Options: We're in the "have it your way" ages when people can get just about anything they want in minutes, and get it exactly how they want it. Gone are the days of the cookie-cutter, "you'll get it how we give it" attitude. You must supply your readers with multiple channels of intake in order to maximize your reach.

3) Some Prefer Printed Materials: The fact of the matter is that some people just plain prefer having material in their hand to read. Whether it's the feel of the paper, or the appreciation of having a tangible, in-hand takeaway, who knows. But there's a lot of people who just want it in print.

4) Print works hand-in-hand with Digital: Printed material does a good job of working with online material, whether it's promoting it or or working with it hand-in-hand. There is some sense of increased credibility that comes with a printed material that people for some reason still doubt with online, because seemingly anyone can produce material online these days.

I'd really love to hear from all of you out there that prefer print over online material, and why is that? Or even if you completely disagree, these posts are meant to further everyone's knowledge, even my own. Please be specific!