Understanding your place in a market is the first step to running a successful business. When you know where you belong on the shelves, which customers you are trying to attract, and what your competitor has to offer, you can then assess your business model and adjust accordingly. A good rule in the world in business is about adaptation. Those that fail to keep up with time, trends, and technology, seem to fall under the radar.
Times change. It is clear that any information we seek can be found online with ease and at our own pace. Moreover, while social media plays a huge role in getting our products or service in front of our potential customer, traditional media still has a large part to play in generating traffic.
What Is Traditional Media?
Traditional media is typically the first type of advertisement business owners think about when marketing crosses their minds. Typically, these forms of traditional media include print, television, and radio advertising. These types of traditional media are specifically placed in front of their target market alongside other products or interests the consumer may have. Other forms of traditional media include cold calling, door-to-door, direct mail, and billboard advertisements.
Each form of traditional media has its benefit. As mentioned above, some of these approaches place their product right in front of their target market. Meanwhile, a door-to-door or billboard plan reaches to the masses, and, hopefully, uncover more of a possible market. Lastly, any direct advertising reminds a customer that you’re still there, waiting for their return. Often direct mail contains deals and upcoming sales, and including their clients in an exclusive club.
Tradition media is still alive today, but how do we know it is effective?
Social Media Vs. Traditional Media
It is hard to measure traditional media without taking into account the role social media plays in today’s market. The difference between social media and traditional media is that social media is much more interactive. Consumers can come and go as they please, closely follow the companies they like, and uncover a real sense of who a company is as a brand.
These two types of media provide a different engagement for the consumer, but when you take a closer look, you will notice that social media still uses a lot of traditional media for their content. When browsing through Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, you often come across a picture or two that advertise a product. Print advertising uses the same strategy, the only difference being where people receive their information.
Which raises the question once more, how do we know Traditional Media is effective?
Is Traditional Media Still Effective?
The answer is yes.
Traditional media is still effective, and it is important to understand which form of media works best on your target market and for the products or services you provide
However, traditional media is diminishing. More car owners are switching to listening to music on their handheld devices, most TV owners are watching their favourite shows via online services, and many magazine and newspapers can be found online as well. It is hard to say the life span of these traditional media forms, for they will never truly die, just develop onto the new platforms.
For example, online newspapers still require advertisements and commercials stream in front of YouTube videos to advertise. The best marketing companies consider the life span of traditional media and pair it with successful social media marketing strategies.
Social media marketing will bring your business into a whole new playing field. To find about how we can optimize your online experience and grow your brand, book a free consultation today.
