It’s no secret that we’ve had to quickly learn to adapt to the many changes occurring in our world. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we’ve fast transitioned to a virtual & digital world. In this transition, printed materials have become a second thought to many trainers and educators.
Despite this, printed materials such as books, advertisements, and catalogs are still incredibly useful. They have values that cannot be achieved through a digital presentation on a screen. As happy-hours turn virtual and most office jobs turn to telework, it is imperative not to forget print’s power. Virtual meetings may be the new norm, but without printed materials, learning and retention greatly suffer.
Don’t just take our word for it, we’ve got the top three reasons you should include printed materials for your next virtual training meeting!
1. Print Is A Necessity For The Best Learning And Retention
The act of reading and writing on a physical piece of paper actually activates your brain’s left side, leading to a wide range of benefits, including improved memory & better comprehension of concepts. According to a recent study, 88% of individuals surveyed believe they understand, retain, or use information better when they read print. [1]
Additionally, in a study by Noami Baron in 2016, she researched the differences in reading comprehension between print and digital by surveying college students. In her article for The Conversation, she states that she gathered data from 429 university students drawn from five countries (the U.S., Japan, Germany, Slovenia, and India). [2]
The results of her study showed that most students preferred reading physical copies over digital for various reasons. The main reasons were that students felt tangible materials felt more real and could better feel the things they were reading. Students also complained about eyestrain from reading digitally instead of reading on traditional printed paper and said they were more likely to get distracted or multitask while reading on screen.
When creating your next virtual meeting, send your learning materials directly to your clients to gain the best understanding of your ideas and concepts!
2. Print Is Good For Your Health
Excessive screen time can lead to numerous health concerns, including:
- Eye strain and headaches
- Insomnia and poor sleep
- Social media addiction leading to depression and self-confidence issues
- Neck, shoulder and back pain
- Tendonitis, carpal tunnel, and other repetitive-use injuries
- Sedentary lifestyle, which has been linked to heart disease, obesity, and other maladies
By including hard copy materials in virtual meetings, you allow your clients to “unplug” from the harmful effects of excessive screen time.
3. Print Looks Professional
According to another study, 79% of U.S. consumers surveyed agreed that typeface on paper is more pleasant to handle and touch when compared to other media, including 73% of 18 to 24-year-olds. [3] By sending printed learning materials to your clients, you leave a lasting impression of professionalism and competence unparalleled by any other form of media.
The Bottom Line
The benefits of adding print to your repertoire are too great to miss out on. Don’t just take our word for it, president of SBC Training Inc., Jim Hernandez, provided his testimonial on the power of print saying, “Our experience and feedback from participants have shown us the importance of having a workbook that participants can take notes in, and work with in the future”.
Use Replica Printing Services to mail or ship your printed materials to accompany your next zoom meeting or to cut through the digital noise and showcase your product/services! Give us a call or send us an email to see for your company all these benefits & more!
Phone: 858-549-5380
Sources:
- “Why do so many people love print on paper? Because it’s great for learning and retention … without health issues!” – Two Sides North America
- “Why Digital Reading Is No Substitute for Print” – Naomi S. Baron
- “Why do so many people love print on paper? Because it’s enjoyable, relaxing and practical!” – Two Sides North America