A recent article by Adam Wagner on Forbes.com 

The Art Of The Leave-Behind: Why Print Collateral Will Always Have A Place In Marketing

Antiquated. Outdated. Unnecessary. Ask an inbound-only marketer about print collateral, and these are the words you might hear in response.
Meanwhile, marketers who see the big picture are using creative, conceptual leave-behinds to put a bow on their brand experience and make a tangible impression. With digital becoming the more prevalent marketing medium, there are moments when a high-touch piece of print collateral can make a surprisingly profound impact. Why?

Seeing a brochure on a screen doesn’t deliver the same tactile
fulfillment as holding that very same brochure in your hand.

Print Is Primal

People appreciate print collateral for the same reason they use handouts and take handwritten notes in meetings. Paper is ingrained in humanity, dating back to the earliest civilizations that used woven papyrus as a writing surface.
When creating brochures, mailers and other print marketing materials, graphic designers will often talk about creating collateral that “feels important.” Seeing a brochure on a screen doesn’t deliver the same tactile fulfillment as holding that very same brochure in your hand. We see millions of things on our screens each day and the digital overload dilutes the sense of importance in even the most memorable design.

If you’re going to invest in print, make it amazing

Before we go any further, let’s make one thing clear: As we pump up the marketing value of printed materials, we’re referring only to those that are unique, thoughtful and creative. A static folder with a few sell sheets does not qualify as impactful collateral. If you’re going to invest in print, make it amazing. Think sizes, shapes, finishes and other fine details that will make your piece more valuable than the paper it is printed on. Consumer packaging can serve as a great source of inspiration.

The Impact Is Longer Lasting

Print collateral builds and strengthens relationships. It shows that you have gone out of your way to spend time and money on something that you plan to give away for free. We call it a “leave-behind” because it is meant to extend your presence. After your meeting with a prospect is over and you leave them to make a buying decision, a leave-behind subtly reinforces your brand by keeping you “top of mind” in the same vein as email or social media marketing — only your content is actually on their desk where they work every day instead of buried in their inbox or social feed.

Old Is New

Digital might be the present and future of marketing, but it’s no longer new or novel. Ironically, it’s tried-and-true print that now holds the power to stand out from the clutter. We all skim through countless emails and articles every day, robotically moving from one to the next. When we flip through a mini-magazine or hold a uniquely shaped pamphlet, it feels like a much-needed departure from the digital monotony. As a primary medium, there’s no arguing that digital is more dynamic than print. It’s as a secondary medium to complement your digital marketing where print retains its relevance.
Read the full article here