Print or Post: Should you publish on paper or online?
The effectiveness of online communication is leading many to believe that print publications are passé. Before eliminating the print version of your newsletter consider the following:

• In-depth stories belong in print.
• It’s hard to believe, but not everyone checks e-mail on a regular basis.
• Readers place a higher value on a printed publication than on an online communications vehicle.
• You can control visual quality much better in print than online.
• Print is more powerful at influencing people to change their behavior.
• You can easily write notes in the margin of a printed article.
• A print newsletter will often be saved for several days and passed around to others.
• Online publishing is in the public domain; print allows for controlled circulation.

However:
• Online vehicles are best for short articles and “chunks” of news.
• A timely news item or other piece of information can be easily cut and pasted into an e-mail to be forwarded to others.
• When it comes to communicating something quickly, online has it all over print.
• Interactive communication is easier via online than via print.
• Online has no printing and mailing costs.
• Online affords the opportunity to cross-reference via links.

Bottom line: Both print and online have their place as part of a comprehensive strategy for communicating with key audiences.