The discussion of whether it still makes sense to print your tips booklet or only do digital downloadable versions seems to get louder with each passing day.
In some cases one format is best; in different situations, the other format is ideal; and sometimes it makes sense to have both.
The overriding answer about this is "it depends.
" Here are a few points to ponder if you are wondering about this yourself.
While these are far from a complete set of choices or reasons, it will at least get you thinking about some perspectives you may not have considered, regardless of how long you have been in your business and how "tuned in" you think you are to your buyers.
People and circumstances can change quickly, and without your even noticing it.
Downloadable as a primary choice is a wise choice when:

• Your market is primarily technologically based, regardless of age
• You have a decision maker who wants to see it immediately
• You want to "test the waters" for your content, format, and audience(s)

Print is the way to go when:

• Your market responds best to holding something in their hand
• Your decision maker wants to add something "value-added" to a physical product
• You want to stand out and be remembered as the printed booklet keeps resurfacing

Having both digital download and print makes sense when:

• You want to increase the likelihood of a sale by having both formats available
• You have varied needs and wants within a specific market
• You can reach multiple audiences with different requirements with the same content

While there is no single right answer for any particular business, one format can work better for you now and provide opportunities you never considered for your tips booklet as you move forward.
At the very least, having options simply makes sense from a business perspective so you are ready to respond.
Your large volume buyers may have shifted how and what they market.
Maybe they have become more or less "web-centric" and you have yet to catch up with them on that.
It's crucial that you remain aware of their current preferences so they continue to be a current client.
Be careful about making assumptions without further research.
Just because you see your client's company increasing their social media presence doesn't mean they aren't also doing marketing campaigns where your printed versions are highly useful as a promotional tool in helping them sell more of their products and services.
ACTION - Determine what your buyers really want, beyond what may simply be the easiest and least costly in time and money for you.
If your market really responds best to print and you have limited resources, do a very small print run to use as samples for large volume decision makers and then pre-sell the large orders.
Surveying your likely market may confirm or deny what you believe is their real preference.
Be sure to ask enough people (and those who truly matter for large sales) for their preference so you get a realistic opinion to guide your actions.
"Turn Your Tips Into Products and Your Tips Products Into Moneymakers™" © 2013, Paulette Ensign