Enhancing Print Marketing with Augmented Reality

Print marketing is relevant in nearly every business. It’s one of the many ways to spread information to the public about a company, product/service and individual contact material. 

It is now possible to enhance that plane-Jane piece of black and white paper and allow it to come to life with augmented reality (AR)!

Most companies have a small forest of business cards, brochures, flyers and miscellaneous paperwork with their business’ information on it in which is utilized as print marketing.  

These materials are passed out like candy at a parade. 

*When two people meet, business cards are exchanged.  

*At a convention or business gathering, flyers are displayed.

*In a meeting or consultation, a brochure is provided.

Here’s an idea… what if those print materials that were once 2 dimensional, run-of-the-mill pieces of paper were able to become animated in 3-dimensional form right before the viewers’ eyes? 

Here are some ways augmented reality enhances print marketing. 

Augmented Story Telling

AR can enlighten potential consumers or business clientele about the history or story behind a brand by way of smart device and downloaded application.

It’s as easy as point and shoot with the camera on your phone, tablet or other smart hand-held device and voila…that business card from the tire shop down the street just squawked their hologrammed tires right in your hand…or…I swear to goodness it looked like it!

Equipped with a narrator, hologrammed figure and a kick-a$$ write up, a business card can truly be one of a kind and 100% unforgettable.

Convey Data More Effectively

Brochures or flyers that include graphs and outline statistical data are helpful, but with the use of AR, this information can resonate much more effectively paired with a 3-dimensional outline or hologram video depicting that same data. 

Videos and images can add a fantastic dynamic to storytelling or the conveyance of information that text simply cannot: speed. It’s said that visuals are processed 60,000 times faster than text according to research compiled by 3M. 

The proof is in the pudding, check out some of these statistical findings:

• Brainrules.net asserts: When people hear information, they're likely to remember only 10% of that information three days later. However, if a relevant image is paired with that same information, people retained 65% of the information three days later.
• According to a 2018 survey, Perkinscoie reported 82% of respondents expect people to focus on developing augmented reality (AR) experiences for smartphones.
• By 2020, there should be 1 billion augmented reality users says New Gen Apps.

Keep the Brand Front of Mind

Being unmemorable is such a terrible feeling. You know and understand that as an individual. 

It’s just as degrading and stifling as a business as well.

Not being a relevant brand in the specific niche/industry the company does business in suppresses growth, flat lines or decreases revenues and certainly doesn’t culture additional spontaneity. 

AR is a perfect way to engage businesses’ consumers. It’s a fun and interactive way to spark chatter! AR is fantastically innovative and has only dipped it’s toes into the marketing world of propelling businesses. 

Bonnie Raitt had the lyrics right: “Let’s give them something to talk about.”  

Keeping your company front of mind is a huge competitive advantage.

As you can see, print marketing is a fantastic catalyst paired with augmented reality. From brand story-telling to effective data conveyance to even keeping the company front of mind for consumers and other businesses alike; AR belongs in your marketing strategy.