Using Flyers for Self-Promotion: Do's and Don'ts

Flyers may seem like a simple – or even old-fashioned – way of marketing your company, organization or event. However, flyers have many advantages, and can be a surprisingly effective (and extremely affordable!) way to spread the word about anything from a sale to the grand opening of a store to a charity fundraiser to a concert. If you live in a big city like L.A., flyers can be a great way of promoting yourself to friends and even strangers – but with so many different entertainment options available, you’re going to have to make an effort to stand out. Of course, as with most methods of advertising, the key is knowing how to effectively design and distribute your flyers. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts to help you successfully use flyers for self-promotion:

• DO choose an image that is eye-catching – and appropriate for your event. The number one benefit of using a flyer for promotional purposes is its unique ability to combine words and imagery, so don’t overlook the power of choosing a provocative image! However, you should also make sure you pick something that’s appropriate for the kind of event you’re promoting. For example, if you’re using flyers to promote your band’s latest show, keep the genre of music that you play in mind when searching for a photo or drawing. You want the look of your flyer to match the tone of your event.

• DON’T think that you have to hire a professional to design your flyer. Some commercial printing Los Angeles companies offer free design assistance, which can be beneficial if you’re unfamiliar with programs like PhotoShop and you’re attempting a complex or ambitious layout. However, you don’t need to be skilled in any particular program to make a fantastic flyer; all you really need is a good eye and a strong sense of what kind of audience you’re marketing to.

• DO know your audience! What kinds of people will enjoy the event you’re promoting? What kinds of images will make them stop, take a look, and read your flyer? Now you know how to make your design effective! Give your audience what they want, and you’re sure to capture their attention.

• DON’T bother trying to print out all of your flyers at home. That’s what a professional printing company is for! Commercial printing in Los Angeles is a big business, and unless you’re only printing a dozen or so flyers, you’ll be able to save yourself both time and money by outsourcing the actual printing process to a pro. Conserve your energy for distribution instead.

• DO think outside of the box when it comes to distributing flyers. Once you have a well-designed flyer, the possibilities are endless. Pass them out in person, leave stacks of them at your favorite stores or venues, put them up in clusters so they function as mini-posters, send them out as direct mailers…let your imagination (and ingenuity) be your guide!

These tips can help you create flyers that will have a tremendous effect on attendance at your next concert, play, party or event. You’ll be surprised at just how useful those “old-fashioned” flyers can be!