Whether you're trying to find a lost kitten, advertise for guitar lessons, or promote your band's performance at a cafe, flyers are an easy and effective way to spread the word. For your flyer to be effective, you first need to get other people to "pay attention". Then, make them “want to do something about it.” This article will help you achieve both!
Step
Part 1 of 5: Choosing Tools
Step 1. Decide whether you want to design the flyer digitally or manually
You can design flyers digitally using a program like Photoshop or Microsoft Publisher. Otherwise, you can manually design the flyer using pens, pencils, markers, etc., and then copy it in the copier.
Step 2. Use color whenever possible
You can add color to text, pictures, or even printed paper. Colored flyers are easier to attract attention. To save money, you can also print flyers in only black (grayscale) ink on colored paper.
- Any color scheme can make for an effective flyer. Use the color wheel to find a matching basic color harmony. For example, you can use analogous colors, which are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel, such as different shades of blue or green. You can also use complementary colors, such as red and green.
- Sometimes, you can get better results if you use colors that match the image on the flyer. For example, if the flyer contains a picture of a sunrise, you could use yellow or orange. To make the yellow letters stand out, you can add a black outline.
Step 3. Determine the size of the flyer
The size of the flyer really depends on the function of the flyer and your ability to produce flyers in a certain size. Leaflets will be easier to print if the size fits the printer machine (23 cm x 28 cm). So, you can adjust the flyer to that size, or in half so that the flyer can be printed two on one paper, if the size doesn't need to be too big (for example, for flyers). However, flyers can be made to any size, and you can print them easily if you have a printer capable of printing at that size.
Step 4. Determine the location and how to distribute the flyers
Are you planning to stick the flyer inside a wall magazine or bulletin board? Maybe you want to distribute flyers in a crowded place. Are you actually going to distribute flyers via mailing lists? If the flyer will be posted outdoors, consider using stronger paper or waterproof ink.
Part 2 of 5: Writing the Title
Step 1. Write a title
Make the title big, bold, and simple. In general, titles should be no more than a few words, no more than one line page, and centered. You can make a long title, but the shorter it is, the easier it will be to catch someone's attention.
Step 2. Make it BIG
The letters in the title must be larger than the other letters on the leaflet. Make sure that people who are 3 meters away from the flyer can still read your title. We recommend that titles be spaced evenly across the width of the page. If it doesn't look quite right, try centering the text.
Step 3. Consider using uppercase or bold fonts
Take a look at an example of a headline in a newspaper headline. Do not use a font that is too complex because your main goal is to create an easy-to-read title. You can add decorations to other parts of the flyer if you feel it will add value.
Step 4. Embed a very simple message
You want to grab attention with a flyer, and get the message across in a fraction of a second. Convoluted messages and content will not have a strong impact. Further details can be included in the body of the leaflet.
- Don't make people think too much about the content of the flyer. Messages on flyers should be communicated intuitively. Try to find things that are interesting and fun.
- What title immediately grabs your attention? If you're like most people, "puppies and ice cream" will interest you. It's not because everyone loves puppies and ice cream, but because of the colors bright red attract people's attention naturally. (However, it's true that a lot of people love ice cream and puppies, and this adds to the surprise and antics of the flyer content that helps increase its effectiveness.)
Part 3 of 5: Writing Interesting Flyers
Step 1. Add subtitles
This subtitle should only be 2-3 lines. Since the title is quite short and concise, the subtitle will give more detail to what is specifically covered. Look at examples of subtitles in newspapers or press releases.
Step 2. Add details
While the title is tasked with grabbing people's attention and making them want to know more, it's the body of the flyer that plays an important role in getting your message across. Include the right information, for example those that answer 5W: Who (who), What (what), When (when), Where (where), and Why (why). These five questions are usually asked by people to your appeal. Put yourself in the reader's shoes. What do you want to know?
Straight to the point and to the point. Make sure your description text is concise, but detailed enough
Step 3. Reinforce your message with testimonials
The body of the leaflet is also a good place to include testimonials or endorsements. Good testimonials not only provide more detail, they also certify your efforts through third-party sources. If readers can read the content from your point of view or from the author's point of view, they will likely want to follow your advice.
Step 4. Add emphasis
To emphasize keywords, use capitalization, slightly larger or bolder fonts, italics, and other visual "boosters." However, don't use all of these options at once; just select 1-2 special effects. If there are too many, your flyer will look childish or even messy.
- Use words and phrases that make your offer more attractive: "FREE", "NEW", "PRIZE," etc. These words not only attract interest, they also steal attention and can encourage people who see them to follow your advice. Of course, you should only include phrases that match what's advertised. Do not let you mislead the reader.
- Use the word "you". That way, you will appeal directly to the reader.
Step 5. Arrange your flyer
Use bullet points to organize your message. You can also put boxes around the content in bullet points to make the flyer look neater and more attractive. These effects also help the flyer look more professional, which can be important to the overall look and feel.
Step 6. Use a bold font
The font in the body of the flyer does not have to match the title. Leaflets need to stand out so it's a good idea to wear something different from the rest. Document processing programs on your computer already have plenty of font options to work with, but if you don't find one that works, try downloading a new font online. Many sites offer free and unique fonts that are easy to download.
Step 7. Include contact information
Contact info should be listed at the bottom of the leaflet so that the most important information is still at the top. Include your name, and the contact number and/or email address that readers of this flyer will need.
- You can also use the time-saving “tear” method. Make a mini version of the flyer using a smaller font size, rotate it 90 degrees, and repeat several times along the bottom of the flyer. Draw a dotted line between each handout so readers can easily tear contact information from the flyer.
- Do not include private information. For example, don't give your last name or home address.
Part 4 of 5: Using Images
Step 1. Include an image or graphic
Images are often as important as words. The human brain will be aware of images before words. Now that you've got the reader's attention, take advantage of it! Give the reader something to look at; People tend to remember concrete visual messages more easily than words. So, images are a powerful weapon, whether it's a logo, a photo of a lost dog, or a graphic.
Step 2. Find an easily accessible image
You don't need to create a completely new image. Try using your photos or images in the public domain found on the internet. Some computer programs, such as Microsoft Office, also have a variety of stock images.
Step 3. Use an image editing application to increase the contrast
This will make the image appear more striking from a distance after it is printed on paper. If you don't have this program, you can try using a free app like Picasa (https://picasa.google.com/), from Google, which should suffice.
Try to use only one image. If necessary, you can include two images next to each other. Any more than this, the flyer will look too busy and difficult to attract people's attention
Step 4. Put a description under the image
Once you've caught the reader's interest, he or she will come closer to read more details. Good captions can convey the message of an image effectively. Pictures can also reinforce or add detail to other things included in the flyer.
Step 5. Add an attractive frame or box around the image
Framing an image can help “anchor” it on a flyer, rather than just “floating” alone. Try putting a light frame or shadow around the image. You can even include a star or arrow pointing at the image to emphasize it further.
Part 5 of 5: Copying and Distributing Leaflets
Step 1. Make sure your flyer is effective
Before making multiple copies of a flyer, test it first by sticking it to the wall and judging for yourself. Stand 3 meters away from the flyer and watch. Does the main subject of the flyer catch your eye? Look at the example image above. You'll know right away that these flyers have been put up to search for lost dogs.
- Correct all handouts to ensure all information is accurate and spelling and grammar are correct.
- A great way to get critique is to ask a friend or family member who saw the flyer, and determine if the message on the flyer got through right away.
Step 2. Make a copy
When the handout has been produced and tested, print as many copies as needed.
- If there are too many for your printer, or you anticipate rain (the ink of most home printers will bleed from the rain), find a copy space to copy your flyers.
- Black and white flyers are usually cheaper, but the effect won't be the same as color flyers. If you decide to make a flyer in black and white, try leaving the title and colored text on the flyer blank, and writing your own using colored markers or a highlighter.
Step 3. Distribute flyers
Where will you paste the flyer? Where are the people you want to invite interest in usually located?
- If you lose a pet cat, post flyers on utility poles, bus stops, nearby supermarkets, cafes, nearby swimming pools, and other gathering places around your area.
- If you lose your wallet downtown, post as many flyers as you can where you're sure you still have your wallet. However, be aware that residential areas often have rules on the types of flyers that can be pasted and where they should not be violated! Try cafes, public notice boards, and if you see a utility pole that has had a lot of flyers pasted on it, please post it there!
- If you're trying to attract college students, there are usually certain rules and places to post flyers. So, post flyers where they're permitted, while being effective (e.g. in hallways, bathroom doors, wall magazines, etc.)
Tips
- While bullet points help tidy up the information in the flyer, don't overdo it.
- You can create flyers in portrait or landscape orientation.
- If you're creating a digital flyer, try to use fonts that complement each other. Fonts that contrast each other (such as tall and narrow fonts paired with wide fonts) tend to match each other.
- Using light colored paper will make the flyer stand out, but sometimes the images and text can be less visible. Experiment to find a balanced portion.
- Try to help distribute digital versions of your flyers on the internet and on mailing lists.
- For complex flyers, enter the keyword "free flyer templates" in an internet search engine, and look for a suitable design.
- If the flyer relates to people or animals, or anything that has important details, it's better to have the images printed instead of drawn yourself.
