FuturePrint. The Fastest Growing Community for Innovative Print Technology

So far, 2021 has been a year of change. As we like to call it, a year for adaptability. We have addressed this in two previous articles, one in late 2020 here, and ‘Great Adaptations’ in September. Adapting will continue to be the order of the day in our view. And as a result, this year has been a year for adapting and developing for FuturePrint as well.

In this months thought piece, we raised the impact of change on the behaviour of buyers. As seems to be the case across the board, COVID has acted as an accelerant. Starved of the usual live environments in which to buy, we have adapted to other digital methods to evaluate, compare and contrast before investing. And despite the obvious challenges confronting the economy, the good news is there remains a willingness to invest.

Of course, while you cannot beat live face to face in order to build relationships, rapport and establish trust (believe me we have tried different digital platforms with varying levels of success) you can nonetheless achieve a significant amount with digital, and this platform is not going to go away. While tradeshows are coming back, many exhibitors and buyers have made the decision not to attend. This, as far as I am concerned means that there will not be a return to business as normal. Change has occurred, it will not reverse. Live events are now part of the omnichannel mix as opposed to the dominant format.

What does this mean?

Savvy marketers are adapting how they get their message across to buyers! And are accepting that the digital marketing universe offers so many methods for connecting and communicating.

Establishing trust is a critical element of success for building any new business relationship. And to help achieve this, thought leadership and effective storytelling are powerful. Businesses that had previously relied on the old model for selling are in danger of being left behind if they fail to grasp this fact and get on with implementing a new communication strategy that is fit for purpose today and tomorrow.

We believe the future for thought leadership, marketing, storytelling and communication is Omnichannel. Omni means all. We think all of the platforms are relevant. This is why our FuturePrint partners are writing articles, sharing news, hosting webinars, giving presentations at our virtual and now hybrid events, hosting surveys, sponsoring e-newsletters, writing white papers, the list goes on. And this is 365, not just for 4 days at a tradeshow!

Does it work?

Well, take FuturePrint’s growth as an example. In March 2020 we had 400 subscribers. Now we have close to 17,000. This alone is proof that taking massive action, serving a purpose and solving a problem can achieve results. Combining this with frequency, consistency and an adaptive mindset, then this will continue to grow. For those wondering whether trying something new is worthwhile, the only other option is to stay safe and wait for the dust to settle. But this just leaves you exposed to the outside world, rudderless while learning nothing. The world will have moved on, and you will have remained rooted in the past!

FuturePrint Targets for 2022

For 2022, we have further targets. This year we have enjoyed the support of an array of many of the world’s leaders in print technology. Our goal is to grow again next year but only in line with our vision to continue to serve a purpose and provide a way to connect the market to the new opportunities that are presenting themselves. By the end of 2022 we hope to reach 25,000 subscribers, but also to grow our readership by 50%. The FuturePrint site has enjoyed over 2,000 readers a month this year from across the world and with further investment in building a great team, we think this will continue to grow while retaining a grip on developing high quality, useful and interesting content allied to an editorial plan that is led by our Editor, Karis Copp.

And for 2022, as well as continuing to develop an omnichannel strategy, our year will be punctuated by some key live and virtual event dates we ask you to place into your diary.

FuturePrint Leaders Summit 22-23 March, Geneva, Switzerland Hybrid

Now is the time to lead! With all that has happened in the past 18 months, we think, building on the success of the virtual FuturePrint Leaders Summit in March this year, we need to bring together the leaders in print technology to help set the agenda for the future.

The event will bring together 100 leaders from Europe and US, and the content will also be available digitally for those not able to attend in person.

FuturePrint Tech Fest June, Cambridge, UK Hybrid

Building on the success of June’s Tech Fest we continue to support the technical and commercial development of new print technology. Therefore the Tech Fest, in June, will build upon the success of this year’s event about developing the right technology and sharing news on ideas, challenges and opportunities. Again, the content will also be available digitally.

So 2022 promises another year for adaptability and growth. And we are excited to be continuing to develop FuturePrint along with our partners online and face to face.

If you are interested in joining FuturePrint as a partner and getting your story across to our growing community then contact me here.