Flyering
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Flyering is distributing small paper advertisements that are larger than idea cards and smaller than pamphlets. Flyering is a mainstay of club and music event promotion. Graphic design of flyers is an expressive art form. Designers use all kinds of tricks to attract a reader's attention and interest. Flyering becomes postering when you put flyers up in public. Attach cards to flyers inviting people to take some and give them out to begin carding themselves. Email Versions
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Flyering Examples
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How to Create Effective Fliers
1. The Hook
Start with a big headline, something in bold, block, or bubble letters that will draw the reader’s attention to the main point. This generally is the name of the event or organization, but it’s good to mix it up once in a while! Another header you can use is a question or statement that will draw the reader emotionally in, such as “Do you want to help stop the war in Iraq?” or “Ever wonder what the city does with your taxes?” Choose your wording carefully and rule out statements that may be alienating to readers (such as “Would you like to smash the state with us?”).
2. The Blurb/Summary
The text under the title is where the eyes are naturally led after reading the title, so this should be a few sentences of text that tell the reader more details of background information. This is where you should explain why the group exists or why the action being advertised is important. Sum up the ideological stuff here; throw around words like solidarity, mutual aid, and consensus if you please, but keep it abstract and broad.
3. The Details
The next section should be broken up into smaller chunks of information, where the section before was one larger explanation of the philosophies behind what is being promoted. Make this part of a larger text size than the previous paragraph. Give the who, what, when, where, and hows in a list format (it is much easier to read the date and time of an event followed by address of a venue on the next line than it is to read a paragraph with the information incorporated). Be simple, straightforward, and to the point. List out the date, time, location (and simple directions) of an action.
4. The Contact Info
End off the flier with ways that the reader can get in touch if they have questions or need more information. Always welcome inquiries with a statement like “For questions, comments, or suggestions, email…” This makes people feel more comfortable emailing or checking out the website. It’s ideal to list multiple forms of communication such as an email address, website, myspace, and facebook address so readers can get in touch with the group in whatever way works best for them.
Other Notables
Use simple, clean fonts and language. Aim for clarity and understanding over artistic expression. On the computer, make the main body of information a 12 or 14 font and the title at least a size 20 font. Add pictures but keep them minimal enough that the reader is drawn to the text. Avoid having a picture in the center of the page because it draws away from the surrounding text. Consider what a color images will look like when printed in black and white. Try to make double-sided versions of fliers in different languages.