5 Steps to Designing a Business Leaflet That Delivers REAL Results

In a digital age brimming with online noise, you might be surprised to find that the power of tangible, physical marketing materials remains undeniable, and as profitable as it ever has been.
Just take a look at these stats from the DMA:
- 73% of delivered business leaflets are opened, read, filed, or set aside for later.
- 90% of campaigns that include leaflet delivery see an increase in new customers.
- Direct mail campaigns achieve an impressive 35% better recall than social media ads
Food for thought indeed, especially for those business owners channelling every spare penny into expensive online ad campaigns.
However, there is one gigantic caveat to all this: business leaflets only work when they’re well produced. That means beautiful leaflet design, compelling copywriting, quality leaflet printing and, of course, careful distribution, whether that’s door-to-door, B2B, or hand-to-hand.
It's clear: a well-designed business leaflet can be a game-changer. But crafting one that truly delivers? That requires strategy, creativity, and a keen understanding of your audience.
What Business Leaflets Do...
Business leaflets serve as powerful tools for reaching and engaging with your target audience directly. From promoting your products or services to increasing brand awareness, they offer a tangible and effective way to communicate your message. With their ability to grab attention and generate leads, business leaflets play a crucial role in driving customer engagement and boosting sales.
Reach target audience directly
Increase brand visibility locally
Drive customer engagement
Communicate message effectively
Generate leads and sales opportunities
…And What They Don’t
Business leaflets generally can't replace all other marketing activities; it’s almost always a good idea to keep some social media advertising running, for instance, or maintain word-of-mouth network, or continue participating in community events and outreach.
Rather, business leaflets should form part of a multi-channel mix. While they guarantee an uptick in local brand awareness, they don't guarantee instant sales, or convert every recipient into a customer. Thinking that they will just isn’t the most effective way to use business leaflets.
However, when used strategically alongside other marketing efforts, they can significantly enhance your overall marketing effectiveness.
5 Steps To Designing a Business Leaflet
Designing a business leaflet that truly stands out requires careful planning and execution. Follow these five essential steps to ensure your leaflet design captivates your audience and drives results.
1. Know Your Audience
Understanding your target audience is crucial for effective leaflet design. By creating buyer personas and conducting market research, you can tailor your leaflet design to resonate with specific customer segments, demographics, preferences, and pain points.
For example, a leaflet advertising luxury skincare products may feature elegant, minimalist design elements to appeal to affluent consumers. Or, if you're promoting a fitness studio, knowing that your target audience consists of health-conscious individuals aged 25-40 can inform your design choices and messaging.
2. Write Up Some Compelling Copy
Compelling copy is the heartbeat of any successful business leaflet. Your messaging should be clear, concise, and persuasive, prompting readers to take action.
Use persuasive copywriting language to highlight the benefits of your products or services and address your audience's needs and desires. A strong call-to-action encourages recipients to visit your website, contact you, or visit your store.
3. Use An Artist’s Eye
Effective leaflet design goes beyond aesthetics; it's about communication and engagement.
Incorporate eye-catching visuals, such as high-quality images and graphics, to complement your copy and reinforce your message. Pay attention to color psychology, typography, and layout to create a visually appealing and cohesive design.
A well-designed leaflet reflects positively on your brand and increases the likelihood of engagement, whereas poorly designed leaflets can deter potential customers, so investing in professional leaflet design is paramount.
4. Check, Check, and Check Again!
Before sending your leaflet to print, ensure it undergoes rigorous quality assurance. Proofread the content for grammar and spelling errors, and double-check all contact information and details.
Seek feedback from colleagues or focus groups to identify any areas for improvement. And, if possible, testing your leaflet with a small sample of your target audience can provide valuable insights and help refine your messaging.
5. Go To Print
Choosing the right printing options is the final, essential step in bringing your leaflet to life.
Select high-quality paper stock and printing techniques to ensure your design looks professional and stands out – poor printing quality, such as blurry images or smudged text, will massively diminish the professionalism and credibility of your marketing collateral.
What About Distribution?
Good distribution is perhaps the masterkey to our success with business leaflets. In short: to get it right, you need to choose a delivery method that is of a good quality, targeted, and efficient.
Here at JogPost, we use a GPS-tracked approach to ensure optimal targeting parameters, and our jogging distributors cover significantly more ground compared to traditional methods, delivering up to 3x ROI.
Getting into more detail, there are a few different distribution methods open to you, and selecting the right one is an important component of your overall campaign.
- Solus distribution: Your leaflet delivered is exclusively, ensuring maximum impact and attention.
- Bundle distribution: Your leaflet is delivered alongside others (non-competitor). Cost-effective for sharing delivery costs.
- Direct mail: Targeted mailing of your leaflets directly to your audience's mailbox, offering a more personal touch.
- Door-to-door: Individual delivery of your leaflets to every target household or business in a specified area, ensuring wide coverage.
- B2B: Targeted distribution of your leaflets specifically to businesses, establishing professional connections and partnerships.
- Hand-to-hand: Direct delivery of your leaflets to individuals by hand, fostering personal engagement and interaction.
The Bottom Line on Business Leaflet Design
Ultimately, business leaflets can serve as a vital component of your marketing strategy – particularly for local outreach and revenue generation – and, to ensure success, designing a business leaflet that drives results relies on a few key practices.
By comprehensively understanding your target audience, crafting persuasive messaging, implementing visually appealing designs, conducting thorough quality checks, and selecting optimal printing and distribution methods, you can significantly enhance the effectiveness of your leaflet campaign.
Here at JogPost, we’re ready to assist you at every stage, guaranteeing that your business leaflets yield tangible and lasting results for your brand. Simply contact us today for a free quote.
Designing a Business Leaflet: FAQs
What are the essential elements of a business leaflet?
A business leaflet should include clear and concise messaging, captivating visuals, contact information, and a compelling call-to-action to engage the audience and drive desired actions.
How can I ensure my leaflet design aligns with my brand identity?
Ensure consistency in color schemes, typography, imagery, and messaging with your brand guidelines. Incorporate your logo and brand elements to maintain a cohesive visual identity across all your marketing materials.
What printing options are available for business leaflets?
Printing options include digital printing for small to medium quantities, and offset printing for larger runs. Be sure to consider factors like paper quality, finish, and quantity to determine the most suitable printing method for your business leaflets.
How do I measure the effectiveness of my leaflet design?
Aim to track metrics such as response rate, conversion rate, and ROI. You can also conduct surveys, or use unique QR codes or promo codes, to monitor individual customer engagement and track the success of your leaflet campaign.
Are there any legal considerations for business leaflet design and distribution?
Generally speaking, you have a lot of creative freedom when designing a business leaflet. With that said, ensure you remain compliant with regulations regarding content accuracy, copyright, data protection, and advertising standards.