It has been proven by many successful businessmen that leaflet distribution campaigns do work and this is why businesses of all sizes use them time and time again.
Despite this success, there are still many people who believe door drop distribution is a waste of time and money; and this is because they have wasted their time and money on a distribution campaign that failed.
The problem is they never looked into the reason why their campaign failed.
To explain why a door drop can fail, here are 7 reasons why leaflet distribution doesn’t work, resulting in the leaflets being consigned to the recycle bin before they are read.
1. Too much information (TMI)
Don’t let the message get buried in the copy.
Many people make the mistake of filling their leaflet with as much information as they think necessary to get their message across. They don’t realise this can overwhelm the reader and cause them to switch off and bin the leaflet.
Do not let the waffle bury the benefits your product can offer the reader. Keep it simple with a good, well thought out headline. The headline should not be the name of the business.
2. Poor design and copywriting
Good design and copy are essential to get a great response.
So many people believe designing a leaflet is just a matter of putting an image on a page with some coloured headlines and some hastily written copy. They have no idea of layout and typography and in some case only a limited knowledge of spelling.
Nothing will make leaflets look more shoddy than typos (incorrect spelling) poor images and a bad layout. It will look slapdash and be cast into the recycling bin without a second glance.
3. Poor quality
When we say poor quality we actually mean cheap.
If a leaflet is printed on poor quality paper, it will detract from the sales message it is carrying: no matter how good that message may be.
Printing on a superior paper stock will cost slightly more but will be money well spent. This is especially true if you are selling a high-value product such as; windows and doors or bathroom and kitchen replacement. Laminating, encapsulating and cutting to shape can also give a leaflet a feeling of value.
If the prospect feels that some serious thought and money has gone into producing your leaflet, they will treat it with respect and will be more inclined to read the message and keep it to read again later.
4. Clarification
What does this mean?
The dictionary definition is “To make or become clear or easy to understand”
So many people assume because they know and love their product everyone else will. Because of this their copy never actually explains what the product can do. They fill their copy with technical descriptions ignoring its benefits.
So keep it clear and simple. Don’t let your message get lost in a load of waffle. Tell people what it is you are offering them.
5. WIIFM
“What’s in it for me?”
Yes, we have all heard of that phrase but many people still fail to explain to their prospective customer what the product can do for them: the benefits. This really is an extension of reason number four.
People are very rarely interested in your product unless it can in some way benefit them. You may well make the best looking back scratcher in the world, made of solid gold or silver and beautiful to look at. All the customer is interested in is will it fix my itching back.
First, convince them your product will solve their problem. Then you can tell them how beautiful it is, first the benefits, then the features.
6. The missing CTA
The Call to Action (CTA) is one of the most important things that must be on a leaflet.
The call to action must tell the reader what to do next.
There is no point in writing and designing an excellent leaflet with a great sales message without telling them what to do once they have read your compelling sales message.
The call to action should encourage them quickly to contact you either by phone, e-mail and to visit your website.
Make sure all these contact numbers are clearly visible and your CTA explains the benefits of them contacting you at once.
7. The Wrong Leaflet Distributor
The wrong leaflet distributor comes in two guises.
The first one is the do-it-yourself one.
Because leaflet distribution looks easy many people decide to do it themselves, believing distribution is just a matter of pushing some leaflets through some letterboxes.
The second wrong distributor is the “cowboy” company.
This company has been set up by someone who also believes leaflet distribution is just a matter of hiring some students or young people giving them a few hundred leaflets and telling them to deliver them.
They offer no way of checking if the leaflets are delivered, and no system of checking results. These companies are worse than the do-it-yourself brigades. They take people’s money and deliver nothing but disappointment.
And this all adds to the belief that leaflet distribution is a waste of time and money.
Getting a reputable leaflet distribution company is the most important component of your leaflet campaign.
You could avoid all of the six mistakes listed above, but without an experienced Leaflet Distribution Company, your campaign will be destined for the recycling bin.
There is an easy way to avoid committing all of the 7 sins listed above.
You can let us handle your campaign from your original idea through to the final distribution. We can take care of the design, copywriting and printing and you will benefit from our years of experience in this field. You will get the best advice on the production of your leaflet, along with advice on the best areas to cover for your target market.
Why not contact DOR-2-DOR today and we can advise you on your next leaflet distribution campaign.
