Junk Mail Vs Spam email Vs The Rest Of Advertising

Leaflet Distribution

Everywhere we go, every single day, we are subjected to a world of in your face advertising. Turn on the TV, your radio, the internet, Facebook, emails, billboards, leaflets, magazines, I could go on but you get the message, right?

Arguably, spam emails and unsolicited junk mail form part of the direct advertising tool used by marketers, businesses big & small for in your face advertising. The majority of it we never asked for or subscribed these marketing messages that we all receive on a daily basis.

Let’s first take a quick look at the predecessors of the spam techniques that marketers have used and are still using today. Some of which have been totally abused and are thus illegal or restricted.

Advertising mail is probably the first type of direct marketing used to sell a product or service directly to the consumer. It was also the first to be termed Junk mail, since it was over used by marketers, and people started seeing it as a nuisance. Besides you didn’t ask for it!

Advertisements are found in newspapers and magazines mixed up with interesting articles where the ratio of articles to advertisements varies depending on the publication. With some publications having a section for adverts, whereas others having articles hiding a discreet marketing message within them. But generally these are accepted, WHY?

Radio and TV commercials are another nuisance that we have to endure on a daily basis. Some stations are dedicated to simply selling stuff, whereas others mix their ads into the mix of movies, soap operas, news broadcasts, talk shows and many TV series. Again this is accepted but no different to junk mail, isit?

There are other similar techniques used to promote a product or brand. These include door to door leaflet delivery, cold calling, telemarketing, voicemail marketing and last but not least billboards.

While writing this article, I recall the frustration I felt every time the film I was watching was paused for an advertising break, or the countless ad pages I have to sift through in a newspaper or magazine, just to get to a section of interesting reading. But at the same time, we are tolerant to such marketing content. WHY I ask?

However we treat “junk mail” very differently, we do our best to stop that. Why do we need to subscribe in order to receive spam? I never subscribed to the billboards on the side of the road, TV ads, radio commercials ect.

Compared to all the marketing techniques described above, email marketing is the cheapest way of sending a marketing message to millions of people. Being so cheap, it is the tool of choice for marketing teams with a small budget trying to sell cheap products. Most of the times, such products do not deliver what they promise.

Most of the marketing techniques described above deliver something useful. This is true for newspapers, magazines, TV and radio. These media would not be free, or would be much more expensive had it not been for the ads.

Unfortunately with email marketing, you run the risk of being exposed to malware and fraudulent emails. Worms and viruses often make use of email and spam techniques to propagate.

Similar to junk mail received at your home mailbox, spam frequently gets mixed up with emails from friends, colleagues, and bosses. And probably this is the thing that we hate most about spam, the fact that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish a legitimate email from a spam email at first glance.

So while email marketing is the tool of choice for most marketing teams, it does require stringent regulations to ensure that it does not get abused. Some countries have updated their regulations to cover spam, but others still have to catch up. In any case, regulations are not stopping cheap email marketers and fraudulent emails and until that happens, it is wise to make use of a good anti-spam product.

Share Button

Leafleting Benefits

Advertising, Direct Mail, Leaflet Distribution, , , ,

We live in a digital world, a world where social media, websites and digital marketing is a key consideration for every business, both big and small. However, that doesn’t mean that you should disregard the more old-fashioned forms of marketing. In particular leafleting and door to door marketing.

This approach to marketing means that you print up leaflets and then send them out en masse to a particular target area. It is often used for local services, which includes trades such as landscaping, plumbing and painting and decorating, takeaways, restaurants, taxis and even local shops too.

So, why is this still an effective form of marketing for your business? Let’s take a look at some of the main benefits of leafleting for your business.

Leafleting is cost-effective

One of the main leafleting benefits for your business is that it is cost-effective. Of course, there is a cost that is associated with designing and printing leaflets, as well as posting them out. But compared to other forms of marketing it is actually quite cheap and the ROI could be much better than you realise. You just need to remember to put some sort of code on the leaflet so that when people wish to engage your services you can ask them for the code (which may be date specific) and you can track how many people have engaged with your leafleting campaign

You can have a great reach

Another huge leafleting benefits is that it has a rather impressive reach. Sure, not everyone who receives one of your leaflets will then read it, or even get in touch with you, but there is a good chance that you will see plenty of people who then do learn more about what you have to offer and maybe even sign up for your services.

Direct mail marketing can be personal

Personalisation is a great addition to any marketing efforts that you make. After all, if you want someone to connect with your business, then you need to appeal to them on a personal level. It can be hard to personalise digital marketing campaigns unless you opt for email marketing, however, the same cannot be said for direct mail marketing (leafleting) which is actually incredibly easy to make personal.

You are reaching right into someone’s home

What could be a more direct approach to marketing than being able to reach someone in their own home? As I have already covered, not everyone will engage with your leaflet or flyer, but there is a much higher chance than you may realise of them picking the leaflet up and giving it a read through. They may not get in touch with you, book in your services or buy your products, but they may be just as likely to recommend your name to someone else if they are looking.

Leaflets are not only easy to create, but they are cheap to make and send out. Not only this, but they can actually have a positive impact on the marketing for your business. You can even design simple leaflets using the templates in Canva. So, why not try them out? You never know how much of a benefit leafleting  can have until you get out there and promote.

If you would like help in deciding what the right marketing tactics would be for you then you may need a marketing plan. Get in touch today to discuss your marketing needs with us here at Hallway Distribution.

Share Button

Postcard Advertising

Advertising, Business Branding, Direct Mail, , ,

If your small business is looking for an effective yet affordable way to reach and stay in touch with your customers, drop them a postcard.

Postcards are great tools to develop and enhance your relationships with your customers. Often overlooked by marketers, postcards have become a fast, easy and reliable way to increase your sales and profits without spending too much on advertising or promotion. It is a marketing tool that through content and design could break through the noise and clutter.

Postcards can be used in a number of ways. You can use it to generate leads, attract more website traffic, get new customers, and increase sales from your own customer base. It is also a great tool for announcing major changes in your business or events in your company.

Here are 5 great advantages of using postcards to market your products and services.

1. Easy to prepare.
Hands down, postcards win in the efficiency game. It is easier to prepare than direct mail or letter. You only need to write a short copy, no slaving for a 3-5-page direct mail material. Plus, you need not spend time folding and stuffing the postcards in an envelope.

2. Unlimited creativity potential.

Your goal in sending a postcard is not only to get the customer to read your message, but to keep your message! And you can achieve this goal by designing a creative postcard that could elicit the response you need.

One advantage of postcards is it allows you to experiment with size, shape, and artistic design, without cost getting too much in the way. You are not constrained by the letter size and the formal rules of etiquette. It is a medium designed for creativity and fun!

Some postcards are so creatively designed or have funny sentiment or useful information that customers pin them in their boards or in their refrigerators. Imagine a customer seeing your card (and reading your message) every day! Even better, a postcard’s staying power may mean that it can have the opportunity to be seen by the receiver’s business colleagues, family and friends.

3. Savings, savings and savings.

Postcards are more economical than a direct mail campaign. By using postcards, you can send up to four times (in full-colour) for about the same price as just one traditional direct mail package. You can realise savings in printing costs, paper, and labour costs. Plus, no envelopes!

Rising postal rates have also made direct mail expensive. A first class stamp, at the time of writing, costs 65 pence; postcards on the other hand are significantly cheaper. You can also  reach a wider customer base with postcards compared to direct mail.

4. Bite-sized information.

Postcards are quick and to the point. There are only a few words to read and you need to ensure that you get your marketing message across to the prospect reading the material. With the influx of marketing materials faced by consumers, it is important to shape your message briefly yet catchy enough to gain your prospect’s attention.

However, therein lies the challenge you will face when using postcards. You must have a unique selling proposition (USP) that you can craft in your message that will distinguish your business favourably apart from every other competitor. Why should the customer use your product or service? What is the unique benefit that you could offer? Customers want a company that offers them the best selection, the best prices and the best guarantee. In a few words, you must be able to write that message in a postcard.

5. Can make a big impression.

One advantage of doing postcards is its novelty relative to other marketing tools. While an increasing number of marketers are discovering postcards, postcards have not become too commonplace that it has turned to be an irritant. Many consumers already consider direct mail a scourge, and many direct mailings go to the wastebasket without even being read. Customers are also becoming inundated with emails as a result of spam that even legitimate emails are dumped into the virtual bin.

One advantage of postcards is its “openness.” Unlike direct marketing letters, you need not worry about customers simply throwing your mailing without even opening the envelope. With postcards, there is no envelope to open! The customer immediately reads your message. The more eyeballs, the more prospects, and the more customers you will have.

The key to finding success in marketing with postcards is to create the right postcard, mail it to the right audience and craft it with the right offer. The humble postcard can be a great tool to enhance your relationship with your customers. Best of all, postcards may be within your budget reach.

When planning a postcard marketing campaign (especially if it’s your first), it’s easy to get carried away with all the things you want in the design. After all, you’re sending an ad to hundreds, possibly thousands of potential customers, so you want to show off every aspect of your business. So, what do you do? You give your postcard marketing company 15 images, and you tell them they all must go in.

It’s a good thought. But unfortunately, it won’t leave a very good first impression on your customers. Most likely, it won’t leave any impression at all. Nine times out of 10, postcards that are too cluttered simply don’t get noticed. With too many images in your postcard, your headline, offer and call-to-action will get lost.

Tips on Using Images in Your Postcards

To improve the success of your campaign, here are some simple tips to keep in mind:

1. Keep images to a minimum.

On most size postcards, you’ll want a primary image on the front, your logo, some simple design elements on the back, along with a small image of someone on your staff (when appropriate).

2. You don’t need a picture of your office or building.

While it’s tempting to add one for credibility, it’s not necessary on a postcard. Save it for a brochure or your website. Otherwise, it will simply get in the way of your postcard’s primary messaging.

3. Let the experts help you decide.

Your postcard marketing company likely has years of experience in designing postcards for maximum response. Let them recommend the best possible use for your images.

Keep in mind that the primary goal of most direct mail postcards is to get a quick response. It doesn’t need to (and probably shouldn’t) tell the history of your company. You have only a few seconds to grab their attention and give them a reason to respond. Having 8-10 different images on your postcard won’t achieve that goal.

Share Button

Your Local Area Marketing Is Key To Any Business

Business Branding, Leaflet Distribution, Marketing Strategy, , , ,

Get 2019 planned with these five great business promotion tips.

Local area marketing will increase the brand and reputation of any business in your local community.

Firstly, Get Involved. All towns and villages have fund-raising days, coffee mornings and other local events that mean something to the local people so try to get involved in these and maybe have a way of raising money for these events or offer a little prize for example. You can also get involved in local community initiatives, things like litter clearing, building projects, park maintenance and many other things that the local communities all have to do.

Give Something Back. Local people like businesses that do something for the local area, especially in the smaller and more closer towns and villages. You could sponsor the local football team, buy something for the nearest hospital or simply give some money to the Christmas lights fund, but whatever you do the local people will take notice and this will increase your reputation in the local area.

Speak To The Community. Encourage local feedback about your business and try to find out what you are doing well and even more importantly what you can improve upon. Hold regular meetings where the local people can come and speak to you and find out what you are doing as if they feel engaged with your business then your reputation will rise.

Attend Local Events. Although you are undoubtedly very busy with your business, try to find the time to attend local events in your area. Making an appearance at charity events, themed evenings, local meetings and all the others things that happen in a community driven society then people will come to know who you are and therefore respect you for giving up your time to attend.

Use Local Services. If the people in your local area know that you as a business are using other local businesses for your requirements, then you can rest assured that they will be more likely to use you instead of some of your rivals. For example, if you needed 500 business cards and 10000 flyers, yes you could get them cheaper from a company two hundred miles away but if you just spent a bit more and used a local business then this will not only reflect favourably on your company but would hopefully reciprocate the business.

Increasing your reputation with local area marketing will take time and a lot of effort, but you have to bear in mind that your easiest business is often the business that is in your local community. These are the people that will see you through the hard times and help to increase business through their friends and family, so you must make the effort now to make sure it all comes together positively in the future.

Build your business with local area marketing and let Hallway Distribution do all the hard leg work for you in 2019.

Share Button

Blowing Our Own Door to Door Distribution Trumpet

Advertising, Business Branding, Leaflet Distribution

As the year draws to a close and with Christmas approaching very quickly, it is a time to reflect on what has gone before and to plan for the New Year ahead.

It is with a great feeling of achievement that I can report on a tremendous milestone reached for our company, Hallway Distribution. Over the past twelve months our business has distributed just over 800,000 leaflets, magazines, pamphlets and other advertising materials on behalf of our many satisfied clients. We have not only distributed to households but also into many business establishments this year.

The many areas we have covered this calendar year are; Cheltenham, Shurdington, Bishops Cleeve, Woodmancote, Gotherington, Gretton, Greet, Winchcombe, Tewkesbury, Bredon to name the more local ones. Also further afield Churchdown, Longlevens, Brockworth, Hucclecote, Kingsway, Quedgeley, Stonehouse, Stroud, Painswick. We have even ventured into Cirencester, Fairford, Tetbury, Northleach, Evesham, Broadway, Bourton-on-the-Water, Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-Marsh.

Our clients range from not just local small businesses but national ones too, for example; estate agents, mechanics, window cleaners, landscape gardeners, house maintenance, builders, plumbers & boiler repairs, keep fit studios, martial art clubs, hotels & spas, carpenters, taxi services, web designers, job recruiting services, cafes & restaurants, and opticians as well as local event organisers.

We have worked with some amazing clients this year to help their businesses grow by promoting them via our door to door leafleting service. We also go a step further by offering clients an inclusion on our website hallwaydistribution.com with a link or two back to them.

Not only do we deliver advertising materials but we also help with the design process and offer a copywriting service to go hand in hand with that, we know what works and what doesn’t. We give out free advice on all manner of things advertising wise from, the grade and size of paper to use for best results, the choice of colour and a customer grabbing headline.

Social media these days is of paramount importance in any line of business or service that is on offer, we can also help out with that as well. We can build Facebook groups for business, improving their social media presence as well as showing clients the best way of using Twitter to its full potential, and ultimately gaining you more customers and interaction with it.

With our order book already filling up for January and February 2019 we predict a steady increase for the upcoming new year and beyond.

Our success, we believe, is built upon integrity & trust and always with a willingness to over deliver, no pun intended, in order to keep the customer happy and informed as to the progress of any leafleting campaign we undertake on their behalf. The majority of our distribution is GPS tracked; this gives our clients peace of mind and with that proof of a successful delivery.

Share Button

Leaflet Distribution Food For Thought

Leaflet Distribution, Marketing Strategy, , , ,

Leaflet distribution is perfect for a whole range of industries and companies. However, there are a few industries that we tend to work with more often than others. The fast food industry is one that we work with on a regular basis.

So, what does the fast food industry see in leaflet distribution and why do they seem to be able to achieve such success?

A Menu in the Home

Takeaway menus are one of the most popular forms of leafleting. The great thing about this simple form of marketing, is that it gives your customers instant access to what you sell and how to buy it.

In fact, delivering menus through letterboxes is so effective that 35-46% of orders still come from these menus.

This is good for food franchises who can avoid paying steep commission rates to 3rd party companies that offer apps for ordering fast food. When relying on these websites and apps, you are also putting a great deal of trust in the 3rd party that there won’t be any online issues that could result in an evening with no orders. Unfortunately, this can be a regular issue which could be avoided if your customers have other means of contacting you.

Delivering Discounts

Menus aren’t the only things that can be delivered to your customers. Discounts, vouchers and other offers often prove to be extremely popular with customers. This is a great way of encouraging customers to engage and puts you at the forefront of their minds when they consider ordering food.

Again, when doing this through the post, you eliminate the possibility of facing issues with technology which could result in unhappy customers.

Control Your Brand Image

With many fast food establishments relying so heavily on 3rd party companies, their brand image can often become confused with the branding of the site they are selling through. Sometimes, this can have a positive impact, but it also means running the risk that you pick up any negativity towards the 3rd party.

However, when using traditional forms of marketing such as leaflet distribution, you regain control of your brand image, delivering directly to the doormats of your customers.

As your customers are encouraged to contact you by phone or by visiting your website, you can have more of a relationship with your customer, enabling you to build up a loyal base of customers who know you as a brand.

There are many factors that make leaflet distribution a great form of marketing for the fast food industry. If you would like to find out more about how leaflet distribution could work for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team here at Hallway Distribution. You can, email us at [email protected] or fill out our online contact form with your details and we will be more than happy to advise you further.

Share Button

Hiring the Right Leaflet Distribution Company

GPS Tracking, Leaflet Distribution, Marketing Strategy, ,

When you have decided to use leaflet delivery and distribution as part of your marketing efforts there are many things that you should take into consideration before you hire a particular company.

Below are my top questions to ask your potential supplier before you hire them.

Do they cover the area you are targeting?

This sounds pretty obvious but it should be one of the first questions you ask as there is no point hiring a company if they don’t cover your area.

How many leaflets can they distribute and what is the cost?

You will want to know how much your marketing campaign is going to cost you. The company may even give extra discounts for bulk or repeat business from you. This is something that you should ask for as it benefits both parties. Business should always be a win-win situation for both parties involved.

Can they provide you with testimonials from satisfied customers?

This is something that will go a long way to building trust between you and the leaflet distribution company. If they have customers who are happy to recommend them, then you can be sure that they will do a great job in getting your leaflets to their intended destinations.

Do they carry insurance?

It is important that your distribution company has insurance. You can never be sure what may happen. If for example, due to an accident or fire, the company was to lose your flyers, then there would be a significant cost of replacing these with new ones. You want to be sure that you will not have to foot the bill for this

Can they prove delivery?

Several companies will provide you with emails and text messages to confirm that they have delivered to the buildings that you require. It is however harder to prove this. My advice on this if for you to check up on someone you may know in the buildings, or indeed ask for flyers to be delivered to your own building. Obviously do not tell the company where you live. This is an easy way of checking up and making sure you are getting what you paid for. Hallway Distribution use a highly sophisticated GPS tracking system.

Do they accept credit cards?

If a company accepts credit or debit cards then this allows you some piece of mind if things do go wrong and for whatever reason your leaflets do not get delivered. If you have paid by either credit debit card or even some of the online services you can claim for a chargeback which means the leaflet distribution company would have to provide proof of deliver and that they had undertaken the task at hand

Can they provide you with response rates?

Any good leaflet deliver firm will be able to provide you with response rates, which should give you an indication of how well your marketing campaign is likely to do. This will also enable you to calculate your return on investment which is also known as ROI

Do they offer a marketing consultation and mapping session to help you decide which are the best target areas for you to promote your business?

This is a great way to get a closer look at where your flyers are going to be delivered and should be part of the services of any reputable leaflet delivery company no matter how big or small.

Share Button

Business Leaflet Design

Advertising, Business Branding, Leaflet Creation, , , ,

The purpose of a leaflet may vary from business to business, but one rule sits firm, it needs to be fit for purpose, audience and occasion and most importantly it must generate a response.

This article outlines five questions to guide your creative brief towards getting your most wanted result from a business leaflet design.

Some leaflets simply display services or focus on selling a product. In this sense they often make the mistake of leading with features instead of promoting benefits.

People rarely ‘buy’ on first seeing your advert or leaflet. In fact, research shows that on average it takes 7 messages before someone decides to buy your product or services.

Here are five key questions you should have crystal clear answers to before spending time and money on expensive leaflet design and printing.

1. Who are you targeting, specifically?

If you aim at nothing (or no-one), you’ll hit it every time! Can you clearly identify your ideal prospect (customer, client or business), i.e. who you are really wanting to target with this leaflet?

The style for your leaflet should fit your specific audience. It needs both to create impact and offer the results your clients want. Make your imagery and headlines stand out and address specifically the issue, need or problem your target audience is looking to resolve.

The buying process is a series of decisions where the customer is finding out if what you have is for them, whether they like you and trust to buy from you, and how easily and quickly they will receive after ordering.

2. How will you reach them, physically?

How, where and when are you intending to distribute the leaflets? Are you mailing, flyering houses and/or businesses, using a distribution service, handing out on streets or booking a stand at relevant events & exhibitions?

Whatever your strategy, there are different costs involved, be it time or money. Handing out a leaflet rather than posting anonymously means you may have a chance for eye contact with your prospects, even a short conversation where you can build some rapport.

Always do a trial run with a small sample first and review the response rate. If you get a reasonable response from the trial, you can increase, or you could first analyse how many of the leads/enquiries actually convert to customers.

From these results, you will have a good idea of what methods work best, what the conversion rate is in terms of sales & profits. This lowers the risk of doing a bigger and more expensive mailshot.

3. What is your unique value proposition?

The value of what you offer should be very prominent on your leaflet.

This can be money related, but often is more subtle in the form of representing what you do, why you do it, and the benefits and results that your product or service provides to customers/clients.

How are you different from other businesses/companies that do something similar, particularly if they are cheaper or more well known?

4. What is your most wanted response?

Since we know that people rarely buy on impulse, unless you are in that kind of industry/market, you need a strong, clear ‘call to action’. Your leaflet or brochure is intended to take your ‘prospect’ to the next step in the sales funnel, not an instant sales tool.

Be very clear what you want people to do as a result of seeing (and hopefully reading) your leaflet. Should they call you, visit your website or a specific page on your site, book an appointment.

Consider some incentive or special offer. Give it adequate design space and make it easy for your prospect to take that step. Once you’ve inspired someone to take action, you want zero obstacles in their path!

A popular offer is xx% off or a free xx with this leaflet, which would make it more likely to be kept for future rather than ending up in the bin. This obviously depends upon what product/service you are promoting.

5. Is your text, images and layout helping or hindering?

content is kingThe design look is obviously a factor in getting your message across. But your leaflet text and imagery is the main substance, as they say ‘content is king’. Whether using a single sheet flyer or a bi-fold or tri-fold brochure, the visual appeal is an important factor.

Once you have clarified your main messages, write text that is interesting, engaging and simple to understand. You should address the ‘conversation going on in your ideal customers head’.

Get across your value proposition – aim to convey what’s good about what you are offering using words that are emotional triggers (not just hype).

Avoid lots of dense text and long narratives – remember less is more. Too much information on a small leaflet just doesn’t look inviting to read and can turn people off.

Use vibrant, high quality and relevant images, bold headings and recognise the need for white space. This breaks up text, directs the eye and whets the appetite, which is really important in a small space.

Finally, proof your leaflet, not only spellings but the overall design. Then have someone else check it for sense and typos you don’t always spot yourself when you’re too close to it.

Does your leaflet tick all these boxes: Attention, Interest, Desire, Action? If so, you are definitely on a good track.

Share Button

Direct Mail How and When to Mail to Prospects

Advertising, Direct Mail, Leaflet Distribution, , , , ,

It is the prime aim of every business to sell their products and services to generate the absolute maximum revenue possible. Direct mail has stood the test of time and here is how.

Your marketing methods and strategies play a crucial role in the success of your online, as well as, your offline business.

If your offers are not marketed correctly, no one will ever be able to learn about your products and services no matter how effective and beneficial they are. You can use a number ways to market your business, however, advertising methods like flyers, direct mail, posters, banners, exhibitions and product shows are tried and true ways to attract new business.

Direct mail marketing is a promotional technique that helps you in advertising your business by mailing your specifications directly to the customer. With the help of direct mail marketing, you capture those potential customers that are actually interested to purchase your products and services.

You can access a consumer mailing list to mail directly to a targeted demographic that will likely have the highest response rate. You can also use a number of tools to find out the mailing prospects like you can use social media, business listings, yellow pages, telephone directories to find more even more addresses.

We’ve found that the best time to distribute flyers and send direct mail is when you have clear, definitive business goals in your mind. If you do not know what your actual goal is from the mailing or distribution, you can’t help but fail.

The biggest benefit of flyers and direct mail is its effectiveness in generating new customers. At the same time, it can also help you to expand your market to serve wider, more diverse demographic. It is also effective to drive repeat business from existing clients and customers.

However you use your flyers and direct mail, keep in mind the most important element is creating goals and tracking the results. Without measuring the success of your direct mailing or flyer distribution, you will never actually know what is working, and what is just costing your business money.

According to a 2018 survey direct mail drives higher return on investment (ROI) than any other marketing channel. Discover just how by clicking HERE.

The survey, which polled more than one hundred small business advertisers on a variety of sales and marketing-related topics, also found that most respondents spent an average of £5,000 to £22,000 on ads each year.

Additionally, 34.71% of respondents listed direct mail as their top marketing channel by spend, followed by social media (18.18%) and search engine marketing (14.88%).

So to book your next leafleting campaign in and around Cheltenham get in touch with Hallway Distribution today, before your competition beats you too it.

Share Button

QR Codes For Leaflet Distribution

Advertising, Leaflet Creation, Marketing Strategy, , , ,

Todays question is about QR Codes for leaflet distribution, are they a good idea or a big no no?

Qr Codes and leaflets

Confused about QR codes

The advertising world, not to mention the public, is very divided on the subject of QR codes.

You may have seen QR codes on bus stop ads and in magazines, they are basically bar codes that when scanned with the camera of a smart phone using a special app will automatically open a related web page.

So far so good, anything that makes advertising more interactive for the consumer is a good thing, right? Well, not exactly.

The problem is that the industry got so excited about the concept of interacting with print adverts that they didn’t always think through the various stages of their campaigns properly, resulting in some awful follow-up pages.

As a result, the QR codes have also been tainted in the eyes of some consumers as well, who consequently see no value in them.

Link to your site with QR codes

Is your website mobile friendly

Problems come when QR codes are used without thought, resulting in the user either being directed to a non-mobile-friendly website, or to a page telling them exactly the same information as the advert.

But when used correctly, they can have massive impact. We have been using QR codes here at Hallway Distribution for our clients for a couple of years now and we love them, they are a great way to combine offline and online effectively. They can be a great tool in taking the user one step further down the buying funnel and closer to an end purchase.

Driving customers to a special offers page or a voucher code to redeem in store is a fantastic way to measure integration versus redemption rate for a leaflet distribution campaign. It also allows you to compare the return rate from leaflets distributed in different regions effectively.

Information such as this is invaluable to help you fine tune future leaflet distribution campaigns. If 300 people downloaded the voucher but only a handful redeemed it, then the leaflet was a success but was there an issue with either the offer itself or the demographic of residents that received it?

Using this information means you can confidently adapt your offering and garner even more success from your next campaign.

Your views and opinions are always useful to us here at Hallway Distribution,  so please comment away in the box below and we will answer as soon as we can.

Is your business mobile friendly, check out a short post on our sister marketing site.

Share Button