Cut through the digital clutter to increase sales

In today’s society, many people’s wallets are pulled in a dozen directions and it can be tough for businesses to attract new customers despite how good their services are. While all businesses are unique, these quick tips are proven reasons why print advertising is the most effective way to establish trust, grow your brand, and ultimately increase sales in the long run. Let’s dive in.

1. Print = Trust

According to a survey by MarketingSherpa, 82% of people trust print ads more than any other advertising medium when making a purchasing decision. Likewise, 77% of people recall print ads, while just 46% recall digital ones.

We’ve provided coverage of the communities we serve since 1966 and have a very strong base of loyal readers who rely on us for news, and who love to shop local. Simply put, our publications are a direct link into the heart of the communities we serve, and advertising in them establishes your credibility far quicker than other marketing methods.

2. Reach new customers

Social media and other free marketing methods are useful for connecting with previous customers but are proven not to be as effective at bringing in new people as other forms of advertising. Trying to grow your customer base? An ad with us will reach tens of thousands of people in your trade area for just pennies per home, allowing you to focus your valuable time on delivering high quality services.

3. Total market coverage

While online ad-targeting and tracking may sound cost-effective, according to Neiman Lab, 75% of people view online ads as intrusive, whereas that number is just 44% for print ads. More intrusive ads lead to lower quality impressions and can even damage an overall brand. Our total market coverage model means your message is delivered to every home in the communities we serve, ensuring you don’t miss large segments of potential customers. Likewise, the many people who will see your ad in our respected publications will count as quality impressions.

4. Print is the new digital

In the Internet Age, misinformation and polarizing national news is increasingly widespread and many people are being bombarded by digital overload on a daily basis. As such, there’s been a resurgence of younger generations opting to read print, favoring its retro feel and reliable credibility. Likewise, with more companies experimenting with online advertising methods, print ads can set you apart from the crowd.

For us, every issue of the paper is an opportunity to inspire our readers to be proud of where they live, and to provide unbiased news that is relevant to their daily lives — a duty that’s a cornerstone of democracy, and one we work very hard to uphold. Community journalism is a reliable reprieve and a reminder that you and your neighbors have the power to shape great change right here, right now.

5. In conclusion — Invest in your business

According to Nielsen Compass Data, a business loses 2% in future revenue for every quarter they don’t advertise, and when you remove long-term brand-building, awareness falls and makes short-term efforts such as social media posts and email blasts less effective. Furthermore, if you let your brand decay by not advertising regularly, future sales tend to decline at a 1:1 ratio.

While it can feel like a risk to advertise, there are affordable ways to do it — and it’s far riskier not to. Ultimately, the best practice is to develop a marketing plan that uses both print and online advertising, and stick with it. Growing your brand and increasing sales won’t happen overnight, or with one ad — it’s accomplished by building trust and being there when people need you. We know our market like nobody else, and your success is our success. Let us help you reach it!

Jake Spitzack | Media & Marketing Manager | February 2025

St. Paul Publishing Company, est. 1966.
Publisher of monthly community newspapers: St. Paul Voice, La Voz Latina,
Downtown St. Paul Voice, and South St. Paul Voice.
Reaching 80,000 people in St. Paul, Minneapolis, West St. Paul, South St. Paul,
and Mendota Heights.
www.stpaulpublishing.com/advertising
651-457-1177