Print Media as Oldest Mean of Communication

We all know that communication is one of the essential part of our life. We can communicate with masses through different mass medium. There are different types of mass media that we are accustomed to in this day and age. Whether it's a child, young people, or adults, we all have our share of media-related exposure every day.

Mass media refers to communication devices, which can be used to communicate and interact with a large number of audiences in different languages. Whether it is the pictorial messages of the early ages, or the high-technology media that are available today, one thing that we all agree upon is that mass media is an inseparable part of our lives. Entertainment and media always go hand in hand but in addition to entertainment, mass media are an effective medium for communication, dissemination of information, advertising, marketing, and expressing and sharing views, opinions, and ideas. 

Print media is one of the oldest mean of mass communication which helps the public to get in touch with everything happening in their surrounding. Before the arrival of electronic media people used to have habit of reading newspaper daily. It was one of the mandatory thing for people with their morning tea. It encompasses mass communication through printed material. It includes newspapers, magazines, booklets and brochures, house magazines, periodicals or newsletters, direct  mailers, handbills or flyers, billboards, press releases, and books.

Newspapers

Newspapers enjoyed the position of the most preferred medium to reach a wider audience until electronic communication emerged on the media scene. In the early days, newspapers were the only medium that the masses at large depended on, for daily news. A newspaper carries all kinds of communication-related to a variety of topics like politics, socialism, current affairs, entertainment, finance, stocks, etc.

Magazines

Magazines are another type of popular culture print media. They usually cater to a specific type of audience who is looking for information based on a particular subject. Magazines cover a plethora of topics, like current affairs, business, finance, consumers, gadgets, self-help, luxury, lifestyle, beauty, fashion, entertainment, travel, etc.

Booklets and Brochures

Booklets and brochures are a part of the promotional literature of a product or an organization.

Direct Mailers

Direct mailers are small pamphlets, which are devices for direct advertising and marketing. Usually, they arrive at our doorstep through the postal mail. Direct mails are a relatively cheaper option of marketing as bulk advertising is cost-effective through the post. Most of them include colorful advertisements, discount and gift coupons, pre-approved credit card offers, automobile, realtor, and political promotions.

Handbills or Flyers

 Handbills or flyers is a form of communication, which is printed on a small paper. It is easy to carry, colorful and attractive.  These are useful mainly for restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, political campaigns, rallies, political campaigns, etc. 

Billboards

Billboards or hoardings are huge advertisements that are put up at a height in strategic locations to fetch more attention. They usually attract the targeted audience by their bold colors, attention-grabbing headlines, creativity, designs, special effects, etc.

Books

Last but not the least, books are a significant medium of mass communication as they have a large reader base. The expressions and opinions of the writer are taken to the readers in the form of a compiled book.

The printed form of communication was popular earlier. However, with the advent of electronic media, print media has taken a backseat. Although, it is said that the electronic, or new age media have replaced the print media, there exists a majority of audience who prefer the print media for various communication purposes.