The Dos and Donts of Marketing Flyers
Even in the age of social media and digital ads, marketing flyers remain one of the most effective tools for local businesses. A well-designed flyer can put your brand directly into the hands of potential customers, whether it’s handed out at an event, included in a mailed package, or placed on a community board.
But just like any marketing method, flyers can work for you—or against you—depending on how they’re created and distributed. Too often, small businesses waste money on flyers that never make an impact because of poor design choices, unclear messaging, or bad distribution strategies.
To help you avoid these mistakes, we’ve laid out the key dos and don’ts when it comes to flyer marketing.
Do: Keep Your Message Clear and Focused
Your flyer should have one main goal—whether that’s driving people to call your business, visit your website, or attend an event. Overloading it with too much text or multiple offers only confuses your audience.
Example: A contractor might highlight a “Free Estimate for Summer Projects” instead of listing every single service they provide.
Compare this with our guide on what type of website your business needs, where we emphasize aligning marketing tools with clear business goals.
Don’t: Use Hard-to-Read Fonts or Cluttered Design
A flyer is often viewed at a glance. If your fonts are too small, overly stylized, or your design is cluttered with too many colors and graphics, readers will toss it aside.
Simple, professional design always outperforms overdone layouts. This is the same principle we apply when designing conversion-focused websites.
Do: Include a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA)
Tell readers exactly what you want them to do next. Do you want them to schedule a free consultation? Call a number? Visit your website? Make that action crystal clear.
Flyers that generate real results typically include:
- A short deadline to encourage action (e.g., “Offer ends June 30”)
- Multiple contact options (phone, website, QR code)
- Placement of the CTA in more than one location on the flyer
Don’t: Forget to Track Results
One of the biggest mistakes with flyers is failing to measure whether they work. If you’re printing 1,000 flyers but don’t know if they brought in new business, you’re flying blind.
Ways to track:
- Use a unique URL or landing page (e.g., yoursite.com/flyer).
- Add a flyer-only discount code.
- Track calls using a dedicated phone line.
For more on the importance of tracking, check out our post on the pitfalls of free website builders, where we discuss how lack of analytics hurts growth.
Do: Target the Right Audience
Just like with online ads, success comes down to reaching the right people. Handing out flyers randomly is a waste of time.
Instead:
- Distribute in neighborhoods where your target customers live.
- Leave stacks in places your audience already frequents (coffee shops, community centers).
- Consider direct mail targeting specific zip codes.
Don’t: Skimp on Quality
Thin paper, smudged ink, or blurry graphics signal that your business cuts corners. Remember, your flyer is often the first impression someone has of your brand.
Investing in professional design and quality printing ensures your business looks credible and trustworthy. And if you’re not sure what to include, our BuilderNow help desk can support you with design recommendations.
Do: Align Flyers with Your Digital Presence
Flyers don’t exist in a vacuum. They should point people back to your digital hub—your website or social profiles.
Adding QR codes that link to your TikTok Shop or service page helps bridge offline marketing with online engagement.
Final Thoughts
Flyers can be an affordable, powerful way to reach new customers, but only if they’re designed and distributed with purpose. Keep your message simple, your design professional, and your call-to-action strong. Track results, invest in quality, and always tie your offline marketing back to your online presence.
At SavePro Designs, we help contractors and small businesses create not just flyers, but full marketing systems that connect every piece of the puzzle.
Ready to upgrade your marketing strategy? Get in touch today.
