The Low-Tech Strategy That Still Gets Big Results

How to Create a Leaflet That Gets Results

Here are some tips to help your leaflet work harder:

1. Keep it Simple 

People skim. Your leaflet should deliver one clear message—fast. Don’t try to cram in everything about your business. Focus on a single product, offer or service that will appeal to the reader.

2. Include a Strong Headline

Grab attention with a clear, benefit-driven headline. Think about what your customer wants, not just what you do.

3. Use Eye-Catching Images

A good photo or graphic helps your leaflet stand out. Use images that represent your service or product clearly—even better if they’re local or personal.

4. Add a Call to Action

Tell people what to do next:

• Call now
• Visit your website
• Book online
• Pop in store
• Claim a discount
• Make it easy for them!

5. Don’t Forget the Details

Include your phone number, website, opening hours, and location (if relevant). If you’re running a limited-time offer, make the expiry date clear.

6. Consider a Special Offer

People love a deal. Adding an exclusive discount or promotion can drive response. Try things like: “10% off with this leaflet” 

Where Should You Distribute Leaflets?

Here’s where leaflet distribution becomes really powerful: you can target the exact areas where your customers live.

Door-to-Door Distribution: This is the classic method: leaflets delivered directly into homes!

You can:

1. Target specific postcodes or neighborhood's: Cover an entire town or even just one street.

2. Repeat delivery to the same area for better results: Most leaflet companies offer shared (your leaflet goes out with others) or solus (just your leaflet) options. Solus costs more but often has a better response rate.

3. Business-to-Business Drops: If you’re targeting other local businesses, you can hand-deliver or post your leaflet to offices, shops, and workspaces.

4. Hand-to-Hand Distribution: Like in town centers, high streets, events or train stations. This works well for events, takeaways, or anything with a quick offer.

5. In-Store or Countertop Displays: Get your leaflets into other local businesses that have similar customers. 

 When Is the Best Time to Distribute?

1. Timing matters. Think about when people are most likely to need your service. Some examples:

2. Gardeners and landscapers – early spring, just before people start gardening

3. Tutors and after-school clubs – start of term or exam season

4. Takeaways – midweek when people are tired and looking for easy dinner ideas

5. Events and festivals – 3–4 weeks before the date

Also: 

6. Consider repeat drops—delivering to the same area more than once. Research shows people are more likely to respond after seeing your leaflet 2 or 3 times.

How Many Enquiries Will I Get?

It depends. Response rates can vary based on the design, offer, audience, and timing.

Here's a general guide:

• Typical response rates are between 0.5% and 2%. Meaning, if you deliver 10,000 leaflets, you might get 50 to 200 enquiries
• With a strong offer and good targeting, those numbers can go even higher
• If you make £100 per customer, and even just 50 people respond, that’s £5,000 in potential revenue from one leaflet drop
• Tracking Your Results
• To know if your leaflet campaign is working, you need to track enquiries. Here are a few simple ways to do it:
• Use a unique phone number just for the leaflet
• Mention a promo code 
• Create a specific landing page on your website (e.g. yourbusiness.co.uk/leaflet).
• Simply ask customers where they heard about you.

Avoid These Common Mistakes

Remember, it is okay if you've tried leaflets before and didn't get any amazing results.

It's important to know a few easy-to-fix issues: 

1. Trying to say too much – Keep your message clear and focused.

2. Poor design – A leaflet that looks cheap or cluttered won’t inspire trust.

3. Wrong targeting – Delivering leaflets to areas where your customers don’t live.

4. No offer – Give people a reason to act now.

5. No tracking – If you don’t track results, you won’t know what worked.

How to Get Started

Here’s a step-by-step plan for you: 

1. Set a goal – Do you want more phone calls, website visits, or footfall?

2. Pick your offer – Something simple, valuable, and time-sensitive.

3. Get your leaflet designed – Professional design makes a big difference.

4. Choose your area – Where do your ideal customers live?

5. Find a distribution partner – Use a trusted local leaflet distributor.

6. Track responses – Use a promo code or custom phone number.

7. Follow up – Capture leads, call back enquirers, and measure results.

Leaflets + Digital = Even Better

You don’t have to choose between online and offline. In fact, leaflet campaigns can work even better when paired with digital ads.

For example:

1. Run a local Facebook ad in the same area as your leaflet drop. 

2. Use the same offer or message across your leaflet and your website.

3. Mention your Google reviews or social media on the leaflet to build trust.

4. By combining offline and online, you create a stronger, more memorable presence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Leaflet Distribution

1. Does leaflet distribution actually work?

Yes, it can be very effective, especially for local businesses.

Leaflets put your message directly into people's hands, right in their homes. If your leaflet is well-designed, targeted correctly, and includes a clear offer, it can generate a strong response.

2. How much does leaflet distribution cost?

Prices vary depending on:

• Quantity of leaflets

• Design and print requirements

• Whether it’s a shared (with other leaflets) or solus (just your leaflet) drop

• The size of the geographic area

• As a ballpark, local distribution costs often start from £35–£60 per 1,000 leaflets (plus printing).

3. How many enquiries can I expect from a leaflet drop?

Response rates typically range from 0.5% to 2%, depending on the quality of the leaflet, targeting, offer, and timing. 

Meaning: 

10,000 leaflets = 50 to 200 potential responses

Results vary, so tracking and testing are key.

4. Should I deliver to every house or focus on specific areas?

Targeting specific postcodes, neighborhood's, or demographics often works better than a blanket approach.

Think about where your ideal customer lives, and start there.

A local agency can help you choose the right areas.

5. What makes an effective leaflet?

The most effective leaflets are:

• Clear and focused (one main message)

• Visually appealing with a clean layout

• Offer-driven (discounts, promotions, limited-time deals)

• Easy to respond to (phone number, website, QR code, etc.)

• Locally relevant (mention your area, local landmarks, etc.)

6. How do I track results from my leaflet campaign?

There are a few easy ways to track performance:

• Use a unique discount code

• Create a dedicated phone number or email address

• Send people to a specific landing page (e.g. yoursite.co.uk/leaflet)

• Ask customers how they heard about you

7. Is it better to use a professional leaflet distributor or do it myself?

While self-distributing can save money, using a professional distribution company:

• Ensures reliable delivery

• Offers tracking or GPS reporting

• Targets specific postcodes accurately

• Saves your time and effort
  
  

It’s often worth the investment to get it done properly.

8. How often should I deliver leaflets to the same area?

Repetition helps. People often need to see your brand multiple times before acting. A good strategy is to run 2–3 drops over several weeks to the same area.

This builds familiarity and increases response rates.

9. Should I include prices or just general information?

It depends on your business and offer. If your pricing is competitive, include it; it can drive quicker decisions.

But if your service is more bespoke, focus on benefits, trust signals (like reviews), and a clear call to action.

10. Can I combine leaflet distribution with other marketing channels?

Absolutely!

Combining leaflet drops with:

• Social media ads

• Local SEO

• Email marketing

• Google Business profile posts
  
  

These improve results!

Your leaflet might grab attention, and your online presence can help convert that interest into an enquiry.