How to Run a Flyer Distribution

Make a plan before you make your flyers.

Flyer distribution seems simple enough, but you have to know how to set your goals, find your target audience, hone your message, manage people and measure your results to find success. Long before you ever order your flyers, organize your operation so you don't waste your advertising and marketing efforts. Once you have your distribution project streamlined on paper, you can be effective on the street.

Instructions

1. 

   Putting flyers in the hands of potenial customers can boost traffic.

   Determine exactly what you want to accomplish. Avoid vague goals like "get more people to come." Instead, put numbers into your statements, such as "Increase traffic by 25 percent," "Sell all of the sale items in two days" or "Get the business name in front of 5,000 people." This will help you target your flyer distribution efforts.

2. 

   Don't think in terms of crowds, think about your target audience.

   Find your audience. Know where potential customers shop, work or hang out. Young people frequent certain types of stores, and you can target those areas. More mature buyers may go somewhere else. Parents with young children have their own places they frequent. Choose your best customer and target your efforts.

3. Write your message. Know what you want potential customers to understand about the product or service. Focus on benefits instead of features. Rather than saying, "The best quality rugs in town," say, "You deserve the best, and you will feel great knowing you bought quality."

4. Print your flyers. Make your message prominent, because you only have a few seconds to capture the attention of passersby. Don't' skimp on the quantity, because you need enough flyers to keep your crew busy for the entire time you pay them. Estimate that each crew member will give out six flyers a minute. That's one every 10 seconds.

5. 

   The people you hire represent the company, so appearance counts.

   Hire help. Advertise on sites that offer free classifieds in your area. Say you will pay "brand ambassadors" to distribute flyers. Check similar ads to determine the going pay rate. Many students, actors and retirees who want extra cash will apply. In short, quality people do this type of work, so you don't have to settle for unsavory characters.

6. 

   Temporary employees may not care as much as you do.

   Properly supervise the people you've hired. Let them know you will work with them but will watch them, and you expect full effort. Occasionally, distributors simply dump flyers in trash bins or give them out by the handful to get rid of them, so make it clear that you want one flyer per customer and no waste.

7. Measure your results. Visit the company site and see if your promotion worked. You don't have to be ultra-scientific about your measures, just estimate how much traffic increased, sales improved or phone inquiries rose. This will help you determine future efforts.

References

• How to Start a Leaflet Distribution Business
• The Direct Marketing Association
• Files Tube: How to Run a Flyer Distribution

Resources

• Street Team Promotion