How to Use Social Media to Amplify Your Print Marketing Efforts in the UAE

100% of this Middle Eastern country is scrolling daily: Three hours, every single day!

It’s as if the target audience is already online, active, and ready to discover what your brand has to offer. So, if yours is not there, someone else’s will fill in and take the market share. This also means that social media is not just useful for intensifying print marketing efforts, but it is an ‘essential’ in 2025 – the year of fast content and digital decisions. Let’s get to the bottom of it by learning how to utilize this significant tool in the United Arab Emirates.

Impact of Social Media on UAE Print Marketing Efforts

Technology is taking over, which means businesses around the globe are forced to shift all their processes online. However, this never meant that print marketing is any less. It remains one of the most effective tools, although a slight push can be very helpful in intensifying its impact.

Coming back to the tech takeover, everything from customer engagement to brand promotion, from inventory tracking to sales support, and even product launches now runs through social media platforms.

In such settings, who wouldn’t want to advertise their product or service in the Middle East and invest in social media designing experts? Perhaps just the naïve or risk-avoiding executives, because thanks to the internet audience, anyone familiar with the UAE market would understand how valuable it is.

Big Names Are Already Doing Social Media Marketing

Print advertising, also known as a traditional yet still relevant form of promoting a brand, comes in many forms. For instance, the brochures, flyers, posters, direct mail, and branded merchandise. Each of these printed items creates a lasting impression and helps connect with the audience in a personal way.

However, the effectiveness has been slightly disrupted by the increased usage of screens. As people spent more time on their phones, laptops, and other digital devices, brands had to rethink their strategies. The big names like Emirates Airlines, Carrefour, and Sephora had to reach their audiences with a blend of digital and print formats. Here is a glance.

Emirates Airlines

You can take lessons from the best – Emirates Airlines. First of all, it places luxury travel ads in magazines and airport billboards, displaying destinations and flight experiences. They then post engaging travel videos, cabin tours, and customer stories on Instagram and YouTube.

As a result of their social media content, the print ads feel alive and relatable. Moreover, people who see the tangible ads are more inspired to explore Emirates online. Thus, creating a strong connection between traditional visuals and digital storytelling.

Carrefour UAE

The huge retail company Carrefour also started by sharing weekly deals in printed flyers and newspapers. Their simple targets are the everyday shoppers. Meanwhile, they also post the exact offers on Facebook and Instagram, featuring eye-catching product photos, short videos, and influencer shout-outs.

This smart move multiplies exposure and brings deals to the mobile screens of their users. Also, they have partnered with Smartly.io and Google Ad Manager to turn print promotions into mobile-friendly ads. As a result, they reach shoppers both in-store and online.

Sephora Middle East

Last but not least, Sephora mails out catalogs and magazine ads showing new makeup products. Later, on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, they go further with short tutorials, beauty tips, and influencer reviews.

This means someone might spot a lipstick in the print catalog, then look it up online to see how it looks or works. Their Instagram Live shopping event in the UAE was a first-of-its-kind because they blended product demos with instant purchasing.

Here’s How You Can Do It in Five Effective Ways

Very few people understand this, but promotions are not always about partnering with a creative design agency and spending big on fancy graphics, logos, and ad campaigns. Instead, it is about carefully blending digital and print marketing tools.

1. QR Codes and Unique Hashtags:

It would be wise to integrate QR codes into your advertising materials, such as flyers, brochures, and business cards. They will directly lead the customers to your social media profiles or specific campaigns. Additionally, you can create a unique and memorable hashtag related to your promotional campaign. 

Then, encourage users to share their experiences with your print materials on social media using them. This will help track engagement and also build a community around your brand. 

2. Influencer Marketing:

Next, you can partner with UAE-based influencers whose audience aligns with your target demographic. They will not only promote your print materials but also encourage their followers to engage with your brand online.

Other than that, you can share content on your social media platforms showcasing the influencer’s interaction with your print materials. For example, the unboxing videos and the genuine product reviews. 

3. Engaging Contests and Giveaways:

Moving on, you can use your print materials to announce social media contests and giveaways. Then, by encouraging them to participate, you can encourage users to follow your social media accounts. You can also condition them to like, share your posts, or tag friends. Additionally, clearly displaying the prizes available in your print materials will attract users to participate and boost your online engagement. 

4. Visual Content and Storytelling:

There are other ways to utilize social media for enhancing traditional marketing efforts in the UAE. You can try sharing high-quality photos and videos of your print materials on your social media channels. You can also create visually appealing content that complements your campaign, for example, the behind-the-scenes footage.

The Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Do UAE audiences still care about print ads?

Yes, they do, especially in malls, cafés, and events. The print feels premium and trusted to them, but works best when paired with digital campaigns.

Q. Is Arabic-language content more effective on social sites?

According to the observations, Arabic quickly builds trust and relatability, especially with Emirati and Gulf audiences. So, yes, the dual-language posts help brands connect across cultural and linguistic lines.

Q. What are the names of a few Emirati influencers that can help me?

You can try working with Khalid Al Ameri, Joelle Mardinian, Noor Stars, Ossy Marwah, and Taim AlFalasi. They are some of the most popular Emirati names across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with strong engagement in the UAE.

Q. How do I track print-to-social conversion?

The process is very simple. You can use QR codes, custom short links, or campaign hashtags printed on materials. Then easily track clicks, scans, and social mentions to measure engagement and ROI.

The Summary

The bottom line is that to boost print marketing in the UAE, you must utilize social media. Otherwise, your brand is likely to get lost in a competitive market. Therefore, consider seeking professional help and try one of the aforementioned methods, such as integrating QR codes on print materials. They work well because they quickly direct the audience to social media or website pages. Alternatively, consider creating engaging content that showcases the designs and hosting social media contests to increase interaction and followers.