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7 Simple Design Tips For Leaflets That People Actually Notice...
Thursday 12th February 2026
You’ve put the hard work in, decided on a promotion, identified your customers and where to deliver (don’t worry, if you haven’t yet, we can help with that) - now all that’s left is to design your flyer and get the campaign going…
It’s no secret that door drop marketing works, but a large part of its effectiveness is in the way your message is crafted before it goes through your customer’s letterbox.
A good leaflet gets noticed, kept, and acted on. A bad one goes straight in the recycling.
After years of planning, printing and delivering campaigns for local businesses, we’ve seen exactly what makes a leaflet perform - and what doesn’t. If you’ve read this far then you must be thinking about running a campaign - so we’ve put together seven practical tips to help your leaflet stand out and deliver real results.
So, let’s get going…
1. Start With a Headline That Stops It Going in the Bin
You’ve got seconds to catch someone’s eye so it’s best to avoid vague headlines like:
“We’re a Local Business”
“Quality Service at Great Prices”
That’s not to say this information isn’t important, but it’s not a leading line. Instead, lead with something that matters to the reader:
“20% Off Your First Order – This Month Only”
“Reliable Local Plumber – Now Taking Bookings”
“Fresh Pizza Delivered Tonight”
It’s this first impression that will decide whether the viewer reads any further or not… How is your offer going to benefit them?
2. Make Your Call to Action Obvious
Don’t leave people guessing - again, time is short. Make sure the next step is obvious - keep things short and to the point
- Call now
- Scan the QR code
- Visit our website
- Book online
- Use this code
It’s best to use one of these rather than complicating things by using two or more - simplicity is key.
3. Use Offers That Feel Worth It
Discounts work - but only when they feel meaningful. Your customers want to feel like they’re benefiting by taking action informed by your leaflet. The key here is to offer genuine value - gain customers who feel genuinely looked after and benefit from your offers.
For example -
- Limited-time deals
- New customer offers
- Seasonal promotions
- Bundle deals
- Free extras
Adding urgency (“Valid until…” or “This week only”) gives people a reason to act now instead of putting it off.
Including a unique code also helps you track how well your leaflet campaign performs - We’re on hand to offer advice on how to implement tracking codes and QR codes.
4. Give People More Than One Way to Respond
Not everyone likes picking up the phone and not everyone wants to scan a QR code - it’s best to cover all bases. Make your business easy to find - include contact numbers, email addresses, social media handles and QR codes so that your customers can connect with you on their own terms.
5. Use Real, Local Imagery Where Possible
Stock images are useful tools but nothing feels more authentic than real images of real products. Your business has a story to tell and this is the platform to show it off.
- Your actual products
- Your team
- Your vehicle
- Your shopfront
- Local surroundings
People trust what feels real. Familiar visuals help build confidence in your business - it’s all part of telling your story and getting your customers on board with it.
6. Match Your Design to the Season
Seasonal design helps your leaflet feel relevant and timely.
This may sound obvious, but it’s an easy win - and it keeps your business looking fresh, especially when running longer-term campaigns.
Instead of the same flyer landing on doorsteps again and again, it’s simple to switch things up with the seasons.
Think bright layouts for summer, warm colours for autumn, festive themes for winter, and clean, fresh styles for New Year campaigns. Small changes like this help your leaflet stand out and can make a big difference to how it’s received.
7. Avoid These Common Leaflet Mistakes
We see these all the time:
- Too much text
- Weak headlines
- No clear offer
- Tiny contact details
- Cluttered layouts
- Trying to say everything at once
Your leaflet doesn’t need your life story. All it needs to do is spark interest and prompt one action.
We Can Help Make Sure Your Leaflet Delivers
A successful door drop campaign starts with strong design and clear messaging.
Our in-house graphic design team works closely with businesses to create professional, eye-catching artwork that’s built to get results - not just look nice. Whether you already have artwork or need help from scratch, we’ll make sure your leaflet is ready to perform.
From design and print to fully GPS-tracked delivery, we handle every step of the process so your campaign is simple, stress-free and effective.
If you’re planning a leaflet drop and want it done properly, get in touch today. We’d love to help you connect with local customers and make your next campaign count.
