Your thoughts on Flyer Distribution.

[RyanJ]

Hello Everyone,

Starting out doing removals, however SEO and Google takes about six months to a year to get a reliable source of traffic. I don't want to put all my eggs into one basket, the algorithm can change overnight and drop any business. As I am just starting out I would like to have a cheap way of targeting my local market. I'm going to start with a hundred flyers through the doors of houses with for sale signs. Is there anyone who has worked in removals and can give me any feedback. Anyone with any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

[StaceyPreedy]

I run a window and carpet cleaning business which requires a large amount of flier dropping. First point is one hundred fliers is not enough. 500-1000 is more realistic, you would barely get one road with that amount and very few phone calls. The best thing I learnt from dropping fliers is, don't buy them online or print them on fancy card. I have done both and they pull in just as much work as a well designed flier on a piece of A4 printing paper. Do a little research into design, keep it simple. Matching colours with a much information as you can ram on it in as little words possible. If you have a good website then the fliers will help direct them to it. Find something to advertise on it that no other company can offer (the hard part) and that is the best mixture for a good flier. No need for fancy pictures or professionally printed fliers required.

 

[superdooper500]

Big one is make sure you have a call to action, i.e a reason for people to pick up the phone and contact you, whether that is a time limited offer or whatever you come up with.

 

[RyanJ]

Yes I'm not doing each and every house. Just the ones with for sale signs. So I would of thought less flyers is required. If it works I'm going to expand on it and get as many through letterboxes as I can. Starting with a hundred at the moment. When they run out I'll grab some more!

 

[StaceyPreedy]

Sounds like a good plan to me, if you ever get enough to start using online advertisers yell has worked a treat, Rated people and scoot I've tried and got nothing back for the money. Best advice ever though, always watch the local competition

 

[Liam Seager]

I hate companies flyering my house or on my car windscreen. It goes straight in the bin - but i understand that you need to market your business and this is one of the better ways to do it.

As i was thinking about what you could do i was looking at a postcard that a local artist has my local park - its a nice picture and ive actually stuck it on my wall in my office because it looks so nice.

So my suggestion is that you do a collaboration with a local artist involving a local scene. This brings more benefits that the usual flyer because:
1) You are helping to promote a local artist
2) You look thoughtful, artistic and homely - something i'd like from a removal person
3) People are more likely to keep your details or recommend you

Although the unit cost is more, i bet the conversion is WAY better!

 

[MackieDesign]

Some good comments and advice already. If I'm not too late!

I agree with promoting your business thru Yell.com. is effective.

Flyers are fine but print larger quantities to save money. (be careful of companies that offer print runs as low as 100, the quality maybe poor).

Have you thought about banner advertising on a local website, community based?
The cost of the ad + design might be cheaper. Plus once you've got the ad designed you can place where ever you want. (if the size needs changing any decent designer will do it at a minimal cost or even free if it's a simple change)

I just paid £50 for advertising space for May.

Give me a shout if you need any advice on design or printing.

Regards
Scott

 

[CroydonLeaflets]

hello Ryan,
We have done distribution similar for property investors looking to buy property direct from vendors. We started with just 'for sale' sign houses. But they actually had a better response when we decided to deliver to all terrace houses in the area, ended up doing around 50k leaflets and they got two sales from it (which worked out good with their margins).
Perhaps work on a whole area, as you never know who may need your services, do you offer any service for removing old furniture/junk etc?
Leaflet distribution really is a numbers game and will require some commitment to see results.
gdluck!