Neel Patel September 20, 2024
How to design and print custom flyers for effective business marketing
Do you remember the last time someone handed you a flyer?
It doesn’t happen as often, but when it does, it often ends up on your desk or stuck to your fridge.
Unlike social media posts that you scroll past, custom flyers stick around. Maybe they start in your bag or pocket, and soon, they’re on a table or pinned to a bulletin board.
Unless it’s about something that doesn’t interest you, it might go straight into the trash. But that’s not the flyer’s fault. It’s about how it was designed and who gave it to you.
Flyers began as simple paper ads passed out in public. Along with newspaper ads and posters, they were among the few ways to promote things.
Today, with advanced printing technology and better ways to distribute them, flyers have evolved. Despite digital marketing, social media, and email-adding competition, flyers still have their place in marketing.
Essential Elements of a Custom Flyer
A flyer needs to balance creativity with clarity. There are several core elements to keep in mind when designing your custom flyer:
- Headline: The headline is the first thing people will notice, so it needs to be compelling and relevant. Keep it short and action-oriented, such as “50% Off Today Only!” or “Join Our Exclusive Event.”
- Visual Elements: Eye-catching visuals can make or break your flyer. Use high-quality images and graphics that align with your brand and message. The visual aspect should complement your text, not overwhelm it.
- Call to Action (CTA): Every effective flyer should tell the reader what to do next, such as “Call Now,” “Visit Our Store,” or “Shop Online Today.” The CTA should stand out and be easy to follow.
- Contact Information: Don’t forget to include your business’s contact details, such as phone number, email address, website, or social media handles. Make it easy for people to get in touch with you.
Choosing the Right Custom Flyer Size
Flyers come in various sizes, and selecting the right one is essential for maximizing impact. The most common flyer sizes include:
- A4 (8.3 x 11.7 inches): This is a standard letter size, offering plenty of space for text and images. It’s a good option for detailed information.
- A5 (5.8 x 8.3 inches): A compact, half-size flyer that’s easier to distribute. It works well for handouts and direct mail campaigns.
- DL (4.25 x 8.25 inches): This narrow flyer size is ideal for brochures or menu-style flyers. It’s perfect for event promotions or service lists.
When choosing a size, consider the purpose of your custom flyer and how much information you need to include.
Creating an Effective Headline
The headline is your flyer’s hook. Crafting an attention-grabbing headline is key to drawing people in. Some tips for creating an effective headline include:
- Be Clear and Direct: Don’t leave people guessing. Your headline should clearly communicate the main benefit or offer.
- Use Power Words: Words like “Free,” “Now,” and “Exclusive” can pique interest and drive action. A headline such as “Exclusive Offer: Free Consultation” is likely to generate more leads than a generic headline.
- Keep It Short: Your headline should be quick to read and easy to understand. Aim for no more than 5–7 words.
Spread the word and promote better with effective distribution
Sure, you’ve printed some great flyers, but are they getting to the right people?
To make the most of your flyers, how you distribute them matters.
Here are a few strategies to think about:
1. Strategic placement
Find busy spots where the people you want to reach often go.
Are you aiming for working professionals, moms looking to save on groceries or recent graduates job hunting?
Think about where they spend time. It could be offices, nearby cafes, libraries, gyms, grocery stores, or local events.
Hand out your flyers in those places or leave them in an easy-to-see spot for people to pick up.
- Partnering with local businesses
If you’re promoting a local event or business, there are likely other businesses that could benefit from what you’re offering.
Work together with local businesses to display your flyers. They can share them with their regular customers.
For example, if you’re promoting a new fitness class, team up with nearby health food stores or gyms that might be interested in your service.
This way, you not only reach a new community but also build connections with those local businesses.
- Door-to-door distribution
It might seem a bit annoying, but for local campaigns, door-to-door flyer distribution can be effective.
This method ensures your message goes directly into people’s homes.
If you’re trying to draw in your neighbors to a pop-up event, this is one of the best ways to get the word out to them.
- Event distribution
The last time you got a flyer was probably at an event.
Events are perfect for reaching your target audience because people there are already interested in businesses or experiences like yours.
Trade shows, fairs, and community events are great places to hand out flyers to potential customers.
Conclusion
Custom flyers will still be a powerful marketing tool in 2024 because they’re versatile and easy to hand out.
By creating eye-catching designs, having a clear message, and distributing them in the right spots, you can run a successful marketing campaign that makes an impact on your audience.
Need help with creating promotional materials? Visit Optamark.com to get started!
