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In a time when digital and social marketing are all the buzz and newly tapped channels for many marketers, print advertising is still a critical component of an effective, comprehensive marketing strategy.

A study done 2 short years ago by MarketingSherpa found that 82% of U.S. internet users trust print ads (newspapers, magazines) when making a purchase decision, more than any other medium.

Surprised? I won't lie, that number was higher than I would have guessed if you were to ask me. But when you really think about it, it makes total sense. Print advertising messages are by and large credible, accountable and deliberately consumed, whereas online advertising may arrive uninvited. And social media advertising is mired by mysterious algorithms that can erode its trust factor.

With that staggering stat in mind, I put together nine tips to keep in mind when "freshening up" an existing ad or designing a new one.

Need help in the design department? Drop us a note and our in-house expert design team can help create an ad for you (no charge). If you’re looking for feedback on an existing ad, we are happy to review and provide suggestions on how it could yield better results.