Difference between revisions of "Make a Flyer"
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| − | + | Whether you're trying to find your [[Find a Lost Cat|lost kitten]], advertise your guitar lessons, or promote your band's gig this Friday, a flyer can be a cheap and effective way to get the word out. In order for your flyer to work, first you have to get people to ''notice it.'' Next, you want them to ''do something about it.'' This article will help you accomplish both! | |
| − | [[Category:Making Flyers]] | + | [[Category: Making Flyers]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#Decide if you want to design your flyer digitally or manually. You can design a flyer digitally with tools such as [[Create an Event Flyer Using Photoshop|Photoshop]] or [[Create a Flyer Using Microsoft Publisher|Microsoft Publisher]]. Alternatively, you could design a flyer with pen, pencil, markers, etc., and then photocopy the flier at a copy shop. | #Decide if you want to design your flyer digitally or manually. You can design a flyer digitally with tools such as [[Create an Event Flyer Using Photoshop|Photoshop]] or [[Create a Flyer Using Microsoft Publisher|Microsoft Publisher]]. Alternatively, you could design a flyer with pen, pencil, markers, etc., and then photocopy the flier at a copy shop. | ||
#Use color if you can. It could be color in the writing, images, even the paper you print on. Color draws the eye and gets attention. Printing in grayscale on color paper can also be a cost-effective alternative to adding color to your flyers. | #Use color if you can. It could be color in the writing, images, even the paper you print on. Color draws the eye and gets attention. Printing in grayscale on color paper can also be a cost-effective alternative to adding color to your flyers. | ||
| − | #*A color scheme can be very effective.<ref>https://designschool.canva.com/blog/50-brilliant-flyer-designs/</ref> Use a color wheel to come up with basic color harmonies. For example, you could stick to analogous colors (adjacent ones on the color wheel), like different shades of blues and greens. Or, you could use complementary colors, such as red and green.<ref>http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-harmonies.htm</ref> | + | #*A color scheme can be very effective.<ref name="rf1">https://designschool.canva.com/blog/50-brilliant-flyer-designs/</ref> Use a color wheel to come up with basic color harmonies. For example, you could stick to analogous colors (adjacent ones on the color wheel), like different shades of blues and greens. Or, you could use complementary colors, such as red and green.<ref name="rf2">http://www.tigercolor.com/color-lab/color-theory/color-harmonies.htm</ref> |
#*A color matching the image you use in the flyer is even better. For example, if your picture shows a sunrise, you could use oranges and yellows. To make the yellow letters pop, they could be outlined in black. | #*A color matching the image you use in the flyer is even better. For example, if your picture shows a sunrise, you could use oranges and yellows. To make the yellow letters pop, they could be outlined in black. | ||
#Determine a size for the flyer. Flyer size depends in large part on the function of the flyer and your ability to produce flyers of a certain size. It’s easiest to print digital flyers on printer size paper (8.5 x 11 inches). So, your flyers can be that size, or you might want to cut them in half or quarters if your flyer doesn’t need to be as big (e.g. if it’s a handout). Your fliers can be any size, though, and you can make larger size flyers relatively easily if you’re going to a printer that prints that size. | #Determine a size for the flyer. Flyer size depends in large part on the function of the flyer and your ability to produce flyers of a certain size. It’s easiest to print digital flyers on printer size paper (8.5 x 11 inches). So, your flyers can be that size, or you might want to cut them in half or quarters if your flyer doesn’t need to be as big (e.g. if it’s a handout). Your fliers can be any size, though, and you can make larger size flyers relatively easily if you’re going to a printer that prints that size. | ||
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#Add detail. While your headline captures people’s attention and leaves them wanting to know more, the body of your flyer is the payoff where you drive home your message. Include pertinent information like the 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. These are questions that people will naturally ask about your call to action. Put yourself in your audience’s position. What would you want to know? | #Add detail. While your headline captures people’s attention and leaves them wanting to know more, the body of your flyer is the payoff where you drive home your message. Include pertinent information like the 5 Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. These are questions that people will naturally ask about your call to action. Put yourself in your audience’s position. What would you want to know? | ||
#*Be direct and to-the-point. Make your description text concise but appropriately detailed. | #*Be direct and to-the-point. Make your description text concise but appropriately detailed. | ||
| − | #Drive home your message with testimonials. The body of your flyer is also a good place to include testimonials or endorsements.<ref>http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/flyer.htm</ref> A good testimonial not only provides more detail, but it legitimizes your efforts through a third-party source. If a reader can read your content from your perspective or from an endorser’s perspective, they’re more likely to follow your call to action. | + | #Drive home your message with testimonials. The body of your flyer is also a good place to include testimonials or endorsements.<ref name="rf3">http://www.businessknowhow.com/marketing/flyer.htm</ref> A good testimonial not only provides more detail, but it legitimizes your efforts through a third-party source. If a reader can read your content from your perspective or from an endorser’s perspective, they’re more likely to follow your call to action. |
#Add emphasis. To emphasize key words, use capitalization, a slightly bigger or bolder font, italics, and other visual hooks. However, do not use these options all at once; choose one or two special effects. Too much creative formatting may look juvenile at best and a bit insane at worst. | #Add emphasis. To emphasize key words, use capitalization, a slightly bigger or bolder font, italics, and other visual hooks. However, do not use these options all at once; choose one or two special effects. Too much creative formatting may look juvenile at best and a bit insane at worst. | ||
#*Use words and phrases that might make your offer more enticing: "FREE", "NEW", "REWARD," etc. These are enticing, but also eye-catching, and they can encourage viewers to follow your call to action. Of course, only include these terms if they actually hold true to your advertisement. You don’t want to mislead your audience. | #*Use words and phrases that might make your offer more enticing: "FREE", "NEW", "REWARD," etc. These are enticing, but also eye-catching, and they can encourage viewers to follow your call to action. Of course, only include these terms if they actually hold true to your advertisement. You don’t want to mislead your audience. | ||
| − | #*Use the word “you”. This way, you’ll be appealing directly to the reader.<ref>http://www.printaholic.com/15-tips-for-writing-effective-flyers/</ref> | + | #*Use the word “you”. This way, you’ll be appealing directly to the reader.<ref name="rf4">http://www.printaholic.com/15-tips-for-writing-effective-flyers/</ref> |
| − | #Organize your copy. Add bullet points to organize your message. Boxes surrounding your copy or bullet points can also provide organization, while adding visual appeal.<ref | + | #Organize your copy. Add bullet points to organize your message. Boxes surrounding your copy or bullet points can also provide organization, while adding visual appeal.<ref name="rf4" /> These effects might also make your copy look more professional or business-like, which might be important to your overall look and feel. |
#Use other eye-catching fonts. The copy in the body of your flyer does not have to be the same as that of your headlines. Your flyer may have to stand out, so using something different than everyone else may be smart. Your word processor should already be loaded with a number of font options, but if they don’t have exactly what you have in mind, consider downloading a new font. Many sites offer free and easy downloads of unusual and unique fonts. | #Use other eye-catching fonts. The copy in the body of your flyer does not have to be the same as that of your headlines. Your flyer may have to stand out, so using something different than everyone else may be smart. Your word processor should already be loaded with a number of font options, but if they don’t have exactly what you have in mind, consider downloading a new font. Many sites offer free and easy downloads of unusual and unique fonts. | ||
#Include your contact information. Include your contact info—preferably at the bottom of your flyer, so that the flyer’s most important information remains at the top. Add your first name and whatever form of contact you prefer: phone number and/or email address are most common. | #Include your contact information. Include your contact info—preferably at the bottom of your flyer, so that the flyer’s most important information remains at the top. Add your first name and whatever form of contact you prefer: phone number and/or email address are most common. | ||
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===Copying and Distributing=== | ===Copying and Distributing=== | ||
#Make sure your flyer works. Before making a lot of copies of your flyer, test it out by taping it up on a door to review it yourself. Stand back from it about 10 feet (3 meters) and have a look. Do the main points jump out at you? Looking at the sample flyer here, you can see immediately that it is for a lost dog. | #Make sure your flyer works. Before making a lot of copies of your flyer, test it out by taping it up on a door to review it yourself. Stand back from it about 10 feet (3 meters) and have a look. Do the main points jump out at you? Looking at the sample flyer here, you can see immediately that it is for a lost dog. | ||
| − | #*Proofread the entire flyer to make sure all the information is accurate and the spelling and grammar are correct.<ref | + | #*Proofread the entire flyer to make sure all the information is accurate and the spelling and grammar are correct.<ref name="rf4" /> |
#*A good way to critique is to ask a friend or family member who has not seen your flyer to take a look at it, and see if they get its message right away. | #*A good way to critique is to ask a friend or family member who has not seen your flyer to take a look at it, and see if they get its message right away. | ||
#Make copies. Now that you've completed your flyer and tested it, print as many copies as you need. | #Make copies. Now that you've completed your flyer and tested it, print as many copies as you need. | ||
