Tips on leaflet dropping

[Amazin]

I'm planning on dropping some leaflets in the next few weeks and my goal would be to distribute 3000 around the area I'm working in. It will be for domestic cleaning. I fully understand that the success rate would be very low. I'm expecting something like 5% or even little bit lower for domestic cleaning but thats ok for now.

Been thinking alot about it lately:

-It would be wise to go to places where people with higher salaries lives but sometimes they live in places with a front gate or in buildings where you need a key to get in, otherwise you can't drop the leaflets I wonder if there's anyway to get around that.

-I experimented with handing them out on the street but got ignored most of the time. So probably not the best way but I suppose people can ask you on the spot if they're interested.

-What would be the ideal design for it. Should I make it like a business card or perhaps A5 sized flyer?

-I was also thinking stick them on cars, on the windscreen. Again not sure if its a good idea.

-what are the laws in regards to leaflet dropping? Should we be worried about it?

Any comments or feedback would be great. Thanks

 

[noo81]

My husband used to do leaflet dropping for his motor trade company around the local area of the business. The leaflets were a5 size glossy and offering a discount if the leaflet was provided at time of service/MOT. With it being the motor trade he put one on every car windscreen in the area and through doors. I am not sure about the laws regarding this but nothing ever came back other than customers.

 

[ethical PR]

I'm planning on dropping some leaflets in the next few weeks and my goal would be to distribute 3000 around the area I'm working in. It will be for domestic cleaning. I fully understand that the success rate would be very low. I'm expecting something like 5% or even little bit lower for domestic cleaning but thats ok for now.

You're more likely to be looking at 1 - 3% for unsolicited, untargeted direct mail.

Been thinking alot about it lately:

-It would be wise to go to places where people with higher salaries lives but sometimes they live in places with a front gate or in buildings where you need a key to get in, otherwise you can't drop the leaflets I wonder if there's anyway to get around that.

Contact the building manager.

-I experimented with handing them out on the street but got ignored most of the time. So probably not the best way but I suppose people can ask you on the spot if they're interested.

-What would be the ideal design for it. Should I make it like a business card or perhaps A5 sized flyer?

You need to think about the audience you are targeting, your offer/benefits and design something that will appeal to your audience and highlight your offer/customer benefits. If it's your main marketing collatoral it would be worth getting a designer/copywriter on board to help think design and copy issues through.

-I was also thinking stick them on cars, on the windscreen. Again not sure if its a good idea.

Terrible idea...people really dislike having junk mail delivered to them in this way - not a good first impression to make.

-what are the laws in regards to leaflet dropping? Should we be worried about it?

No. As long as you don't try to deliver at addresses that say they don't want junk mail or try to enter a private estate without permission.

Any comments or feedback would be great. Thanks

 

[thelegalstop]

Have you considered spreading a word of mouth by offering some services for discounted prices or even e.g. one or two cleaning services free? I am not sure what your marketing budget is, but it's definitely worth trying.

I think, when it comes to the cleaning services, the quality is the most important thing, as people tend to have issues with some cleaning companies and they prefer to stick to one, proven solution.

However, you have targeted the more wealthy part of society, where connections and word of mouth is indispensable. I think getting in touch with one or two customers and providing them with an absolutely amazing service should do the trick and I would expect it to be quite cost-efficient.

Additionally, you can include these special offers on your leaflets, or treat your leaflet as a "voucher" for something. This should work better than a simple unsolicited mail.

Lastly, have you thought about using some non-standard formats? I think people will pay some more attention to something that is more unusual.

Best of luck!

 

[patientlady]

I assume that you have your public liability insurance, as it sounds like you are just starting out. My suggestion would be to knock on doors for this service. Look reasonably smart and be prepared for any questions. Only knock on doors that you would like to work in. I would imagine the best ones would be young professionals, who are out all day. New flats. Ring there door bell after 11am on Saturdays. They require cleaning, ironing, oven clean and so on and are not their in the way, or stopping you with cups of coffee or a chat!
My other half does gardening and he needed to replace a lost job, so one evening btwn 6.30 and 7.30pm last summer we knocked on doors in a local village. We picked up two on going jobs and a one off garden clearance in 45 minutes! We offered a large size business card if asked.
I think leaflets in doors is a waste of money and time, sole destroying and tbh a bit passe'. However its what you feel comfortable doing I suppose...

 

[Ashley_Price]

I'm planning on dropping some leaflets in the next few weeks and my goal would be to distribute 3000 around the area I'm working in.

Don't not underestimate HOW LONG that is going to take. A postman delivers to approximately 300-500 addresses on their route - you're looking to deliver to 10 times as many.

If you're going to be delivering to "posher" areas of your town, etc., then you've got to consider how long you're going to be walking up and down driveways. I was a postman for a short time and did the posh area of Lewes. One house was set back behind the other houses and it took nearly TWO MINUTES to walk up and down the drive.

You're not going to deliver to 3000 houses in a short time, at least not to the sort of houses that are owned by people who want cleaning services.

Nowadays, I often deliver leaflets and flyers for my political party, and it can be tough to do more than a couple of hundred houses at a time.

buildings where you need a key to get in, otherwise you can't drop the leaflets I wonder if there's anyway to get around that.

If you are delivering to apartments or flats that have a "trades" button on the entrance system, these normally work in the morning, but often deactivate at midday - so go round them before lunch.

If the backs of the apartments are "open" (i.e. not fenced off, etc.) then have a walk round. Often there are back (fire exit) doors, that residents leave propped open, especially during warmer weather, or if they're smoking, so you can get in that way.

 

[jimmer3]

Statistically, leaflet drops will give you a 0.5%-3% success rate depending on product, leaflet design, promotion and audience etc.

You may want to do some research into something called 'demographic classification' or 'NRS social grades' of the area you are looking to cover. Put simply, depending on the type of accommodation someone lives in - everyone is put into a 'rough group'. You can then use this to target your campaign at people who have a surplus income and are more likely to take you up on your offer. A, B & C1's will statistically have more money to spend on things such as a cleaner, compared to D & E's who are unskilled workers, pensioners or people living on welfare.

You may want to consider 'The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment act 2006' before putting leaflets on cars as (depending on how hot the local council is on this), you could receive a fine for not having a permit or littering. (From experience I've only come across one council who actively had a member of staff monitoring this, but admittedly - I haven't visited every council nationwide).

I'll happily talk to you more about this if you want more help. Just PM me.

 

[Ashley_Price]

You may want to consider 'The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment act 2006' before putting leaflets on cars as (depending on how hot the local council is on this), you could receive a fine for not having a permit or littering

Depending on how you "display" the leaflet under the windscreen wiper of a car you could be sued by the car owner for using their vehicle "to display your advertising without their permission". In other words, to avoid this, you need to make sure the leaflets are placed "face down", or at least so the company name and contact details can't be seen by passers by.

Although, to be honest, not many car owners know about this, so you'd probably be safe (just don't put one on our car! )

 

[jimmer3]

Depending on how you "display" the leaflet under the windscreen wiper of a car you could be sued by the car owner for using their vehicle "to display your advertising without their permission". In other words, to avoid this, you need to make sure the leaflets are placed "face down", or at least so the company name and contact details can't be seen by passers by.

Although, to be honest, not many car owners know about this, so you'd probably be safe (just don't put one on our car! )

It also depends on how the car owners discard the leaflets. If you put one enough windscreen wipers and every car owner threw it on the floor - the op is left to explain to the council why there are 100's of his leaflets littering the road.

 

[Ashley_Price]

It also depends on how the car owners discard the leaflets. If you put one enough windscreen wipers and every car owner threw it on the floor - the op is left to explain to the council why there are 100's of his leaflets littering the road.

Yes, that is true, they should check if there are any licensing laws for "fly posting" cars.

 

[Amazin]

Thank you so much Ashely! You're so helpful. I will try that. I just hope I'm not breaking any laws. The irony is that usually in those guarded buildings I'm most likely to find my potential customers. The closer to the city the better as they need to have big salaries to afford living there

 

[Watfordleaflets]

Hi There,

My name is James I am the director of a leaflet printing & distribution company in UK, I can say you have a job ahead of you!

First of all, Look at your current clients if you have any, Try and target similar audiences, Many resources are available for free via google search if you look hard enough. You want to target Average Ages, Household Employment Status's, Average Household Income.

As for the design don't be afraid to try a few things and get some feedback on it and improve it if needs be, The best way to get idea's and find new methods of leaflet designing to check out other peoples WHAT ONES STAND OUT? Pick a few leaflets out you have collected and see which ones grab your attention first then take some key points from the eye catching leaflets and implement them into your own design. I am not saying copy & paste I would suggest you only use other leaflets for idea's and create your own design.

As for the distribution I would AVOID Car window screens main reason is the UK has to much rain and if your leaflet gets wet and sticks to the customers screen OR they put window wipers on and it smudges can be a right pain in the back side! So its sort of avoided,

Handing out in the street is okay for promotion of an event but for sales and services you are better to hit letterboxes when people are at home relaxing not working they will want to have a read of anything that comes through the door, When you're walking down the street the last thing you want is "Excuse me can i..." People just ignore & walk off Trust me.

Various council's have law's in place to where you can actually hand out leaflets on the streets, This is mainly enforced around train stations & shopping centers.

As for door 2 door letterbox dropping you are okay unless the residence has a "no junk mail" sticker or "no unsolicited mail" Please avoid against this it can land you in trouble and in a small claims court...


I hope this helps, If i have missed any questions let me know.
James,