What Is a Flyer? A Beginner’s Guide for Small Business Marketing

May 16

If you’re starting a business, planning a local promotion, or simply looking for a way to get your brand in front of more people, you’ve probably wondered: what is a flyer—and do I really need one?

The answer: flyers are still one of the most practical, affordable, and results-driven marketing tools available today—especially if you run a local or service-based business.

Whether you’ve never made one before, or you’ve only seen old-school handouts that look like they came from a library printer, this guide is for you. Let’s break down what a flyer is, what it’s used for, and why it still works so well in 2025.

What Exactly Is a Flyer?

At its simplest, a flyer is a single-page printed marketing tool designed to promote a business, event, offer, or service. It’s typically handed out, delivered door-to-door, or mailed to households.

Flyers are often:

8.5x11", 5.5x8.5", or postcard-sized
Designed with bold headlines, clear images, and a strong call to action
Used to grab attention and encourage quick decisions

A good flyer is more than a printout—it’s a mini marketing campaign on one page.

🧠 Want to see how much goes into a truly effective flyer? Read Why Flyer Design Matters.

What Are Flyers Used For?

Flyers are flexible and can be used in almost any industry. Common uses include:

Announcing a grand opening or re-opening
Promoting a sale or seasonal special
Advertising a local service like HVAC, landscaping, or cleaning
Driving restaurant orders or app downloads
Showcasing events or fundraisers

They’re especially effective for local businesses trying to connect with people who live or work nearby.

Flyers work incredibly well for:

What Makes a Flyer Effective?

Great flyers share a few simple traits:

A clear, compelling headline – like “50% Off First Haircut” or “Free AC Inspection”
Strong visuals – product photos, your team, or the service in action
An irresistible offer – discount, freebie, or deadline
Contact info or a QR code – make it easy to respond
Urgency – limited-time language helps drive faster decisions

Flyers that are well-designed and focused on conversion perform far better than ones that just list basic info.

Need a quick tutorial? Here’s how to design flyers that inspire action.

Do Flyers Still Work in a Digital World?

Yes. In fact, flyers often work better than online ads—especially when you’re trying to reach people in your area.

At Flyer Canada, we’ve seen flyers deliver:

4.4% average conversion rate (vs. 1.41% online)
51.8% lower customer acquisition costs
3–29x ROI, depending on targeting and timing

Because flyers are physical, they:

Don’t get lost in the feed
Stick around on kitchen counters and fridges
Get seen multiple times by multiple people

Plus, they don’t depend on algorithms or clicks to be effective. They just work.

📊 See how one of our clients made six figures from one flyer drop.

How Are Flyers Delivered?

Flyers can be distributed in several ways:

Door-to-door delivery to homes in a targeted radius
Canada Post mail drops
In-store handouts or bag inserts
Street marketing near busy intersections or events

At Flyer Canada, we specialize in targeted flyer delivery—which means your flyers go to the right homes, not random ones. That’s how we keep costs down and ROI up.

More on that here: Why Targeted Flyer Delivery Beats Mass Distribution

Who Should Use Flyers?

Flyers are ideal for:

Small business owners launching a service or location
Local restaurants, salons, clinics, or gyms trying to get more foot traffic
Trades and home service pros who need steady leads
Retailers with seasonal or limited-time events
Nonprofits or community groups hosting events

They also work well for repeat reminders—you don’t have to rely on one big drop. Ongoing flyers keep your business top-of-mind year-round.

🌀 Learn more about why repetition is key in flyer marketing.

What Is a Flyer Today?

To recap, a flyer is:

A single-page ad you can hand out or deliver
Built to promote a business, product, or service
Visual, bold, and action-oriented
Still one of the most cost-effective marketing tools around

And it’s not outdated. It’s evolving.

Flyers today often include:

QR codes to booking pages or menus
Promo codes that you can track
Social handles and websites to bridge print and digital

Used smartly, a flyer acts as a physical funnel—bringing attention, driving traffic, and helping close the deal.

Final Thoughts: Start Simple, Then Scale

If you’re new to marketing or launching something local, a flyer might be the smartest place to start.

It’s affordable. It’s easy to test. And when done right, it can deliver results fast.

Ready to Launch Your First Flyer Campaign?

Flyer Canada makes flyer marketing simple. Whether you’re a first-timer or just want to refresh your strategy, we’re here to help with:

High-converting flyer design
Targeted delivery to your ideal customer zones
Print and distribution, all under one roof

📞 Ready to get your message into real hands? Flyer Canada is here to help.

Let’s start your first flyer campaign—and grow your business together.

Emerson Buhat