Print V Online Media. Who Wins?
The internet is slowly taking over today’s society. We have become immersed in a bubble of technology. Why buy print media when nowadays you can have current news constantly updated on the go. The Guardian has recently launched an App for IPhone, and Sky News and CNN are also available for the public to read. So, in the battle of print v online, which is more successful?
The Internet?
Blogging has become a global phenomenon. Realistically, anyone can blog about anything. There aren’t any particular restrictions.
Susie Bubble, a fashion blogger stated that “It was a hobby at first. At the time it wasn’t that popular. The good thing about blogging is that everyone can do it”. Susie believes that “Blogging is a source for the unvarnished truth. It’s encouraged free speech”.
We as the public expect sources of information to be available to us for free on the internet. Therefore, it is seemingly impossible to earn money out of a blogging career. Unless, however, you become a well know ‘blogebrity’ in the words of Susie Bubble.
People like the internet. They like that it is continuously updated. They like that you can watch videos. They like the fact that it moves with you. The internet is a tool which allows us as individuals to voice our opinions for everyone to see. We can express the positive and the negatives of subjects. We can be honest. We can even create alter-personas. Blogging is not only a tool for expression of opinion, but it is also a tool for discussion.
Adrian Shaughnessy is a well established Graphic Designer and writer who runs ShaughnessyWorks. Adrian’s view on online media was that “The internet gets the reader involved in the creative process. You can read the web signs and see what pages have the most viewers. Pages with the most visits should be used for advertising, and sections that are frequently visited by mass viewers could benefit from printed pieces”.
This point is particularly interesting as it looks at the statistics. When online you can see hits for particular pages and particular articles. With print media you can only keep count of the amount of copies sold. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you know which sections of your print media readers are particularly drawn to. Blogging gives you feedback which magazines can’t do. It is constant feedback and therefore a constant tool for improvement. As Adrian states, blogging also encourages advertising. A page which is often viewed is the ideal source for advertising.
Print Media?
Becky Smith is the creative mind behind Twin Magazine. The publication takes on the physical form of a hardback book, with a plain black cover and the Twin logo on the front. She wanted to merge the authenticity of a book with a magazine to create a slower and enjoyable read for her audience. Her magazine is primarily based on images, almost like a picture book. In today’s society of print media, everything is crammed. Becky wanted to create an enjoyable experience for her readers to allow them to enjoy what they are reading at their own pace.
However, she has also created a website for her magazine which she has a lot more interactive content on it than her previous publication Lula. This shows that she is appealing to both a print and online audience. In terms of business this shows that it is best to appeal to both a print and online audience. This way you are able to appeal to both audiences and therefore potentially expand your cliental.
So can print media work together with online media?
The latest trend started is magazine content which can be viewed only online with special AR Codes. These are special barcodes which you can scan onto your computer to view limited edition content.
With new discoveries like this we can effectively create a world where print and online media can work together in harmony.
So, who wins? The internet clearly has its benefits. Its current, its up to date and we as the public can express our views when it comes to written media. However, sometimes the authenticity of a print publication just has that extra edge. Both have their benefits, both have disadvantages, but in the end it’s a preference. Some people like to read online and be constantly up to date, but some people like to sit down, open up a magazine or newspaper and read it bit by bit.
Article by Shakira Fernando
