When a flyer campaign launches, many businesses expect results to arrive slowly. They assume it takes weeks for people to notice, read, and respond. But the reality is very different. The first 24 hours after a flyer drop reveal more about a campaign’s performance than most people realize.
Here at Flyer Canada, we closely monitor what happens immediately after delivery. Across thousands of campaigns, the same pattern appears again and again. Flyers begin working the moment they arrive. Not all responses happen instantly, but early behaviour sets the tone for everything that follows.
Most flyers are first noticed in passing. Someone checks the mail, walks through a lobby, or opens their door. The flyer is seen, not necessarily read. This moment still matters. Recognition begins here.
Even when people don’t act right away, the brand enters their awareness. This early exposure is why flyers influence decisions later, even when response doesn’t feel immediate.
For insight into how attention works offline, explore The Science Behind Flyer Engagement: Why People Still Read Print.
Within the first few hours, a smaller group of people takes action. These are the early responders. They scan QR codes, visit websites, or search the business name online. This group is highly motivated and often already looking for the service being offered.
This early activity is a strong signal. It indicates that the offer is aligned with the neighbourhood and that the targeting is working.
This is one reason flyer campaigns maintain a 4.4% average conversion rate across our system, far higher than the 0.12% seen in digital ads.
To compare offline and online behaviour, visit Flyers vs Digital Ads: Which One Actually Delivers Better Results.
Not every flyer generates a scan or a call on day one. That doesn’t mean it isn’t working. Many flyers are set aside, placed on counters, or kept with mail. The decision-making process continues quietly.
People may reference the flyer later when a need arises. This delayed response is common for services like cleaning, home repair, fitness, tutoring, and wellness.
This behaviour explains why flyers often produce results days after delivery, not just hours.
One of the most important things that happens in the first 24 hours is trust formation. Flyers feel local. They feel tangible. They signal presence in the community. That trust forms quickly, especially when the flyer feels relevant to the neighbourhood.
This early trust is why flyers reduce customer acquisition costs by an average of 51.8%. When trust is established early, less effort is required to convert later.
For insight into trust-based marketing, explore Why Flyers Work for Canadian Entrepreneurs.
From a campaign perspective, the first 24 hours provide valuable data. QR scans, website visits, call volume, and search activity all help identify which neighbourhoods responded most strongly.
Here at Flyer Canada, we use this early data to refine future drops. Strong zones are expanded. Weaker ones are adjusted. This feedback loop is one reason many businesses achieve ROI between 3× and 29× over time.
To understand how tracking improves performance, visit How We Track Flyer Campaign Results With QR Codes and Real Analytics.
While early behaviour is important, not all value appears immediately. Flyers operate differently than digital ads. They don’t rely on instant clicks. They influence behaviour gradually and persistently.
The businesses that see the strongest results understand this rhythm. They allow the campaign time to work while paying attention to early signals.
For guidance on delivery timing and placement, explore How to Deliver Flyers That Actually Get Read.
The first 24 hours after a flyer drop are quiet but powerful. Awareness begins. Trust forms. Early responses appear. And the foundation for future action is set. Flyers don’t rely on immediate noise to be effective. They work through presence, relevance, and familiarity.
Here at Flyer Canada, we design campaigns with this early behaviour in mind. With precise targeting, thoughtful delivery, and strong tracking, flyer marketing continues to deliver consistent, measurable results across Canadian neighbourhoods.
If you want to understand what your flyers are doing from day one, reach out through our contact page, explore our store, or call 437 524 5287.
We’re ready to help you make the most of every drop.