Flyer distribution: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What flyer distribution is

A flyer distribution crew hands out or places flyers door to door, at events or in targeted areas, following local rules and reporting where they were distributed. Businesses use flyer distribution to reach people nearby quickly, for openings, sales, events and local services.

Signs you need it

  • You are opening a new location and need people in the area to know about it within a short time
  • You are holding an event and need people to hear about it in the nearby neighborhoods or at a busy spot
  • You want to reach homes in a defined area that your online ads do not reach
  • You have a sale or a service offer and need the flyers placed where people will see them
  • You need to cover several areas on a set schedule, and your own team is too small

What the pro does

  • Review the offer, the message, the area and the places where the flyers can legally be placed
  • Confirm the permissions needed for each location, such as property owner approval or local rules
  • Plan the route or the spots, the dates and the time of day for distribution
  • Brief the crew on the rules, the area, the flyer details and how to answer common questions
  • Distribute the flyers following the rules, and avoid areas where placement is not allowed
  • Report the locations covered, the number of flyers distributed and any problems found

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • The number of flyers distributed and the number of areas or routes covered
  • How many crew members are needed and how many hours the distribution takes
  • Whether the crew must go door to door, hand out at an event or place flyers in set spots
  • Whether permits, property owner permission or other approvals must be obtained
  • The flyer design and printing, if these are part of the job
  • How detailed the location report must be, such as with photos or maps

What a written quote should spell out

  • The areas, routes or spots covered, and the dates and times of distribution
  • The number of flyers and who supplies them
  • Whether permits or permissions are included, and who obtains them
  • The report format, including the locations, the counts and the photos
  • The rules the crew follows, and what happens if a location refuses

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Which areas will you cover, and how do you choose them?
  • What rules apply to placing flyers in those areas, and who gets the permission?
  • How do you handle a home or business that does not want flyers?
  • How will you report where the flyers went?
  • Are the crew members trained, and how do you supervise them?
  • What happens if a city or property owner complains?

Red flags

  • Will not say where the crew will place the flyers or give a route
  • Places flyers on cars, mailboxes or locations where that is not allowed
  • Pays crew members in a way that encourages them to skip the work
  • Cannot show the report format from a past distribution

What you can do yourself

You can walk a small area yourself with a bag of flyers, placing them at the entrance of businesses that agree and handing them to people at a local event. Hire a flyer distribution crew when the area is large, the timeline is short or the route must be covered in a set time, and when you need a report of where the flyers went.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required for flyer distribution. Some cities and property owners have rules on where flyers may be placed, and some require a permit or permission; check the rules for each location before the crew starts, and ask the company for its permits and its process for handling complaints.

Flyer distribution questions

Can flyers be placed on car windshields?

Many places prohibit it, and some have specific rules for placing items on vehicles. Check the rules for each area, and do not place flyers where the rules forbid it.

Do I need permission to hand out flyers in a public space?

It depends on the location and the local rules. Some places allow it freely, while others require a permit or the property owner's consent. Check the rules before you send the crew.

How do I know the crew did the work?

Ask for a route map, the time each area was covered and photos of the placements. Compare the counts with the number of flyers you supplied.

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