For book publishers seeking credibility, repetition, and a closer connection with their target buyers, the benefits of print ads may make all the difference.
Book publishers – whether the traditional or self-published variety – are once again realizing something about print magazines: They are a great place to sell books.
“Technology has made it easier and cheaper than ever for small book publishers to reach their prospective buyers through advertising,” writes Sean Winters in Book Business Magazine. “Websites, social media sites, and email campaigns offer immediacy and interactivity. But traditional print advertising retains many of the advantages that made it the lifeblood of marketing communications for decades.
“For book publishers seeking credibility, repetition, and a closer connection with their target buyers, the benefits of print ads may outweigh even the most-used digital media,” Winters continues.
It makes sense, especially when Winters points out 10 specific benefits of print that make it a good bet for authors and publishers.
To begin with, magazines offer a highly targeted audience of confirmed readers; they have a perfect alignment of interests (1). That tight targeting means your promotion outlay just got more effective (2), as well as more engaging (3).
Print ads themselves have higher ad recall than digital (4), and the added benefits of pass-along exposure (5) and longevity (6). The credibility of having an ad in print (7) is also a plus.
As digital ads continue to fall out of favor, magazine ads enjoy a reputation as an non-intrusive and enjoyable part of the experience (8), while a decline in ad pages in many titles means better visibility (9), without the perceived risk in banner ads (10).
Looking to reach the right readers? Consider a niche or special-interest magazine to tap into those ready buyers.