The 2009 State of Print and Electronic Publications in Higher Ed Survey Results

April 22nd, 2009 Karine Joly 46 Comments

As you might know, I conducted an online survey a couple of months ago to assess the state of print and electronic publications in higher ed.

This was an updated version of a previous survey I did in the summer of 2007.

A total of 198 professionals working in institutions representing more than 2.3 million students completed this survey from January 29 to February 17, 2009.

The survey was completed by people working in marketing/communications (66%), web (7%) and other offices. 38% of the respondents indicated working in private non-profit 4-year colleges, 42% in 4-year public colleges and 6% in public 2-year colleges. The average student population across the data amounts to 11,936 students vs. 15,405 in 2007.

I’ve shared the 7-page executive summary with the respondents, but thought you might all be interested in the following high level findings:

There is a significant budgetary shift towards electronic publications: institutions with growing electronic budgets outnumber those with growing print budgets in the last 2 years— 42% responding note increasing electronic publications budgets while the same is true for only 27% of print. Note that in 2007 the percentages were 44% and 36%, respectively.

82% of survey respondents (vs 77% in 2007) state that their institutions are relying more on electronic publications (Web, blog, email, PDF, RSS, etc) to reduce the budget of print publications.

While the majority of the publications produced by surveyed institutions are primarily available in both print and electronic formats, there is a significant trend across most publications to have them in electronic format only.

  • The main publication types showing this trend are: Newsletter (43% vs 29% in 2007), Press Kits (21% vs 10%), Financial Aid Handbook (19% vs 8%) and Student Handbook (25% vs 18%).
  • Viewbook (40% print only) remains the only publication primarily available in print only. The Annual Report (34%) and the Admission/Search Brochure (31%) also show significant print only percentages.

Just like the 2007 survey showed, news-oriented publications as well as publications targeted to current students are the most transferable ones to electronic only according to survey respondents, and publications targeted to donors and alums as well as admissions marketing pieces seem to be the least transferable. However, for most publications, except Viewbook, there are on average 8% more respondents who think they can be transferred to electronic only.

40% of respondents on average across all publications types have started moving towards replacing print publications with electronic publications. This trend is most pronounced for Campus News (64%), Campus Calendar of Events (57%) and Newsletters (55%)

If you’d like to get a copy of the 7-page executive summary including charts, just post a comment below. I’ll email everybody early next week.

46 Responses

  1. charla lord says:

    would love the exec summary…thanks Charla

  2. Ellen Diamond says:

    would love a copy of the summary – thank you, Ellen

  3. I would also love a copy of the executive summary. Thanks!

    – Jenna

  4. I’d like to get a copy of the Executive Summary. Thanks Karine.

  5. Matt Vollrath says:

    I would also like a copy. Thanks!

  6. Dan Anderson says:

    Looking forward to reading the exec summary. Thanks.

  7. Valarie Case says:

    please send me a copy. Thanks.

  8. Davina Gould says:

    I would enjoy getting it as well. Thanks!

  9. Pamela Riesmeyer says:

    I’d like to receive a copy of the Executive Summary, Karine and thanks.

  10. Sam Uzzell says:

    Looks interesting. Yes please!

  11. Send me the summary please.

    Anyone know of any studies about the effectiveness of electronic vs print materials?

  12. Jean Hunt says:

    Yes, please :-)

  13. Please send me a copy. Thanks! Great data.

  14. Naveen says:

    Hi, I would also like a copy, thanks.

  15. Please send me a copy! Many thanks!!

  16. I’d love a copy. Thanks.

  17. Ryan Knutson says:

    Please send me a copy

    and if you want to keep my email address, I would be willing to participate in your survey in the future.

  18. I’d like a copy. Thank you. Interesting stuff.

  19. Stuart Watson says:

    I’d like a copy, please.

  20. Christine Mitchell says:

    I’d like a copy. Thank you.

  21. Peter Borden says:

    This survey is a great idea! Please send a copy. Thanks.

  22. Jason says:

    I’d appreciate a copy too. Thanks.

  23. Please send me a copy, too!

  24. L. S. Carter says:

    Yes, I would like a copy of the seven-page executive summary, including charts. Thank you.

  25. Rob. says:

    I’d love a copy. Thank you for doing this.

  26. Ed says:

    I would like a copy. Thanks!

  27. Joanne T says:

    Would be interested in a copy too. Thanks

  28. Alyssa says:

    Would love a copy!

  29. Betsy says:

    Please email me a copy too, thanks!

  30. Julie E. says:

    I would like a copy, too. Thanks!

  31. Jason Hughes says:

    Hi Karine,
    I’d love a copy. Thank you!

  32. Lisa Hoover says:

    Please email me a copy of the report.

    Thanks!

  33. Rachel Roberts says:

    Would love a copy. Thanks Karine.

  34. Bob Johnson says:

    Looking forward to seeing the ful survey. Thanks for the effort.

  35. Joe Lackner says:

    I would love a copy. Thanks!

  36. N Farnham says:

    Karine: Please may I have a copy? Thank you!

  37. Hanna Arnold says:

    Hi I would like a copy please. Thanks!

  38. Sarah says:

    Send me a copy too, please. Thanks!

  39. Patrick Setzer says:

    I’d like to request a copy! Thank you, in advance.

  40. James Runkle says:

    Can’t wait for the summary!

  41. Liz McKey says:

    I’d like to receive a copy. Thanks in advance.

  42. Travis Chillemi says:

    I would love to see the summary.

  43. Sandra Mallalieu says:

    I’d like a copy. Thank you.

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