At Alexander’s, our team realizes that print needs are not the same today as when we began as a copy shop in 1979. We’ve worked hard to integrate digital solutions into our business to keep up with the changing tides of the industry.
Alexander’s is now a full-scale print and digital communications firm focused on the relationship between printing and digital needs of clients.
Last week I read an article titled, “What does print’s transition to digital mean for PR and marketing?” In his article, Gil Rudawsky focuses on the newspaper industry and the way in which print is dying out. Newspaper companies are transforming their communications to a predominantly digital platform to stay afloat.
Even though we aren’t a newspaper company, I got to thinking how this “shift” from print to digital has affected Alexander’s and what we do to make sure our business stays healthy and up-to date. We certainly had to face the increase in technology that affected print needs, but more than that we’ve learned to embrace the changes.
Here are some solutions we’ve found that might be helpful for others in the print industry, or other industries faced with similar challenges as they try to integrate their services in a digital world.
1. Create digital solutions to augment your company’s main services
Alexander’s IT and management teams work together to create various technologies to integrate print with online ordering. One of our most popular technologies is Divvy Systems, an automated print and fulfillment solution that allows business and franchises to set up customizable web stores for their marketing collateral. Business owners or franchisees can order the exact amount of printed collateral they need anytime. All orders are filled at Alexander’s print plant and shipped straight to the client within a few days of ordering. Divvy makes ordering and shipping printed business materials easy and fast for our customers.
2. Build and populate a company blog
Studies show that regular posting to a blog improves company search results and gets the conversation about your company buzzing. Maintaining a blog also keeps you focused on reaching your audience in an engaging, relevant way.
3. Social media and online monitoring
Customers and clients keep business alive, so listening to them is a top priority. Because we live in an online world, listening and engaging with our clients and customers has helped us stay in touch with their opinions and needs. Not only do we build better relationships by connecting with clients online, we can better serve them by knowing what they need from us. Use LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest to build an online social presence. But more importantly, be sure to use these social platforms to engage and improve customer service.
Our clients still need print services, but integrating digital communication boosts the success of our business and our clients’ businesses. If you or your business needs integrated solutions for your communication hurdles, contact us.
