Practicing What You Preach

How printers can apply the same practices they teach their small-business clients

Small Business is the heartbeat of our country. Printers have the unique opportunity to enable the entrepreneurs that are at the core of it all. In turn, printers themselves are small businesses that need to practice what they preach.

Here are some key ideas to share with clients and implement for yourselves.

AI as a Powerful Differentiator

of SMBs are already using AI for marketing, recruitment, and customer service.

believe AI helps them compete with bigger companies; daily users report saving $5,038 monthly and 14 hours weekly.

An ActiveCampaign survey revealed 82% of AI users use it for marketing.

AI as a Powerful Differentiator

of small businesses use at least two marketing channels in their overall mix.

agree that multichannel marketing delivers stronger results.

Direct Mail Remains Strategic & Intentional

Only 14% of small businesses planned campaigns a year ahead…

29% ran ads as needed…

while 34% planned months in advance…

…and a mere 4% planned just one week ahead.

Print Marketing Still Packs a Punch

of small businesses consider physical marketing—flyers, banners, posters, loyalty cards—important for connecting with customers.

of small businesses consider physical marketing—flyers, plan to maintain or increase direct mail efforts over the next year.

Compensation Best Practices to Drive Results

A well-designed commission plan can reduce turnover and enhance retention

of sellers experience burnout.

would leave for better pay elsewhere.

  • Clear alignment with business goals is essential—comp plans should promote priorities like new customer acquisition, high-margin deals, or upsells.
  • Commission tracking tools help avoid disputes and maintain trust.

From issue

Fall 2025