A Guide to Flyer Advertising for Businesses

In an increasingly digital world, receiving something physical in the mail can be a thrill. Tangible advertising, like putting a flyer into someone's hand, is refreshing. 

Though simple, handing out flyers is an easy and efficient way to get your business out there. Known as flyer advertising, a simple sheet of paper can expose the general public to your brand. It is a cost-effective way to drive sales and create brand awareness for your business.

Why use flyer advertising?

We know that flyer advertising gets a bad rep. It may seem a bit wasteful and spammy. But, adverting flyers or business flyers are a tried and tested marketing method. 

Dating back hundreds of years, flyers have evolved with the ages. Since the invention of the print press by Johannes Gutenberg in 1436, flyers have been in production. Today, flyer advertising has become a way to advertise almost anything. Using digital printing, vibrant colors, and eye-catching fonts, flyers grab customers' attention. With the help of designers, brands create flyers that keep them top of customers' minds.

Here's why you should consider using flyers in your next marketing campaign:

• Avoid digital clutter. Flyer advertising quickly catches consumers' attention and cuts through the digital clutter. Giving customers something tangible is becoming increasingly special in the digital  age.
• Bite-size information. Those who receive marketing flyers get enough info to get them interested in your campaign. It avoids information overload and get your message across, fast.
• Compact. Even though flyers include a bit more information than, let’s say, a business card, they are essentially mini billboards. They do the exact same thing billboards do but in a more compact way.
• Cost-effective. From printing to distribution, flyer advertising is one of the most affordable ways to market your business.
• Highly targeted. Flyers allow you to target specific neighborhoods, streets, and even homes. Your business can be more specific in its marketing efforts, making it more impactful and effective.
• Distribute in large numbers. Flyers can be distributed to large numbers and be seen by many.

What types of businesses should use flyers?

Flyers are a diverse marketing tool and can be used for almost any type of business. Even though it is not an industry-specific tool, always your flyer on brand with striking graphics and trendy fonts to make an impact. Here are a few ideas of how flyer advertising works in various industries:

• Restaurants. Whether you're promoting free delivery or new menu items, flyers allow you to target homes and businesses in your area.
• Beauty. Everyone loves a pedicure, massage, or facial, so why not promote these services locally? You could even offer a discount to encourage customers to come in.
• Home maintenance. No matter where you live, at some point, a handyman, plumber, gardener, or other home maintenance services will be needed. Flyers allow you to target homes that look like they need a lift.
• Pet care. Particularly popular in big cities, pet care is in high demand. Whether you run a doggy daycare or work as a dog walker or groomer, get your business out there with flyers.

The best time to use flyer advertising

While flyer advertising might not be right for every campaign, there are a few key times you should be leveraging this tactic:

• New businesses. If you're new to an area, introduce your business using a flyer. This also applies if you've bought an existing business and want to let the community know it is under new management. This way, you can establish your place in the community. 
• Promotion. Whether it is a yearly sale or a local discount, let those around you know that you're running a promotion.  
• New product or service. Promote new products and services with flyers. Add these flyers to online orders and at your front desk to keep customers informed. 

How to distribute flyers in a neighborhood

Flyers are the perfect marketing tool for local businesses. But before you print a bunch and start handing them out, here are a few things to remember:

Choose your location

It's all about the location! Where you distribute flyers is almost as important as the flyers themselves, so ensure you are strategic about this. 

Remember that not all areas are open to flyer advertising. Before distributing your flyers, you may need permission from property management or a city official. With this in mind, here are some excellent places to distribute flyers are:  

• Shopping malls. A diverse range of people frequents shopping malls daily. Having someone distribute your flyers outside this location gives you access to them.
• Eateries. Restaurants, coffee shops, and pubs are great places to distribute flyers. Leave a stack of your flyers in an area where they can easily be accessed for anyone to pick up.
• Online orders. Pop flyers into your online orders to keep your existing customers up-to-date and informed. It's a great way to promote new products and services or sales and deals.
• Recreational spaces. Most community centers, town halls, and other spaces open to the public have bulletin boards. Use these to your advantage by pinning a flyer to it.
• Schools or college campuses. Depending on your target audience, attaching your flyers to bulletin boards in these areas will give you visibility.
• Around neighborhoods. Distribute your flyers throughout your local community. It helps people in the area to get to know your business, keeping you top-of-mind. Consider going door-to-door or placing them in mailboxes.

Timing is everything

Choosing the right time to distribute your flyer is essential to this process. Here are a few things to consider when drawing up your distribution strategy:

• Distribute during high-traffic times. Knowing when your target audience frequents a specific location is crucial. To ensure you get flyers into the most hands,  visit areas during their busiest times. It is pointless heading to a coffee shop at 11 am when their most active time is between 7 am and 9 am.
• Keep the weather in mind. Make sure the weather is working in your favor. Check the weather report in advance and choose days with sunny skies. Your potential customers may not be out and about if it rains. Flyers aren't necessarily produced with the most long-lasting materials, so keep them dry by distributing them on rain-free days. 
• Time it well. Plan around upcoming holidays or events and paydays when people are more likely to spend or impulse-buy.
• Give customers enough time to take action. Distribute your flyers with ample time for your target audience to take action. If you have a 30% sale on all products, handing out flyers two weeks before allows your consumers to budget and ensure they have the money when the sale arrives. 

Leave them in a letterbox

Every home has a letterbox so take advantage of this. This is an impactful distribution strategy for local businesses as you can zone in on specific neighborhoods, streets, and homes. 

Folding your flyer and placing it in a consumer's letterbox is a simple and practical distribution method. It almost guarantees that potential customers will see your flyer. Keep in mind that this may be illegal in certain countries, so you must check with your local regulations.

Partner with a local publication

Jump onto the bandwagon of your local publication to broaden your flyer campaign's reach. Local publications, like newspapers and magazines, already have a distribution strategy you can utilize. 

Approach your local publication and ask them if you can add your flyer as an insert. Collaborating with a publication may require some form of payment as you are using their distribution resources. 

If you choose to do this, your flyer must be engaging and include a call to action, so consumers know what to do after they read it. Don't forget to add your contact details or business address.

Use door hangers

Advertising flyers come in many shapes, sizes and forms. It is easy to get creative and design something that suits your brand. So why not adapt your flyers and turn them into door hangers? Like flyer advertising, door hangers have a hook that allows you to hang them directly on door handles. Due to their unique placement, door hangers are a subtle but effective marketing tool.

Create custom flyers with Jukebox

Now that you know all there is to know about flyer advertising for businesses and distributing them, why not create your own flyer? Use our easy-to-use online design tool to create your own flyers. Select from various premade designs or create your custom flyer from scratch.