How to leaflet and get publicity

1. Why leaflet?
2. Writing and designing your leaflet
3. Distributing your leaflet
4. Successful campaigning
5. Advice from a user
6. Feedback and comments

1. Why leaflet?

You've decided that action is needed and are determined to get a campaign going. You're ready to tell the world about it but where do you start?

One of the easiest and most effective ways is to start a leaflet campaign. Leafleting can have several benefits:

• It informs people about your campaign

• It publicises your upcoming event

• It encourages people to join your group

However, when designing your leaflet it's good to concentrate on a few things:

• Who is your leaflet aimed at?

• What is your leaflet about?

• What will your leaflet say?

Thinking about who will read your leaflet and deciding what will grab their attention will make your campaign more effective.

2. Writing and designing your leaflet

Keep a `design' file of some of the better leaflets you are given. This will give you an idea of what you want your leaflet to look like. Think about fonts, colours, striking designs - anything that will persuade people to read your message.

When you do begin to design your leaflet it's best to keep it simple and focus on your main message:

• Be informative

• Keep sentences short and snappy

• Use headlines to emphasise your point

• Use meaningful quotes and make it clear where they come from

• Design a logo

• Leave space around your text so it is easy to read

• Remember to tell people: Who? What? Where? Why? and When?

• Use photos if appropriate

• Double-check dates, times and spelling

• Include an email address, website or phone number

If you have a larger budget and are thinking of getting your leaflets professionally designed or printed then fuel4arts.com have more information.

Defamation
Remember everything you print has to be legally correct. You must not libel anyone in your leaflet and printers can refuse to print your document if they think it causes defamation. See the Action Network guide, How to avoid libel and defamation for more information.

It is also an offence to hand out leaflets that are threatening, abusive, insulting or intended to stir up racial hatred.

3. Distributing your leaflet

So you've got the leaflet back from the printers and it looks great - but where next? To make your leaflet campaign really successful you have to be pro-active. You may want to enlist the help of fellow supporters to help you reach more people. Here are a few examples of how to circulate your document:

• Hand them out in the streets

• Give them out at meetings and events

• Arrange to have a stall at a trade fair

• Place them in public places, such as libraries and shop windows

• Put them through doors

Bylaws
Although there is no need to obtain a licence or certificate to hand out leaflets or collect signatures for a petition, there may be some restrictions on where you can hand them out, so check the bylaws at the town hall. The police may also move you on if you appear to be causing an obstruction.

4. Successful campaigning

People won't come to you - so be brave! Walk up to them with a smile and hand them a leaflet, saying something like: `This is why we're here today' or `This explains what we are campaigning for.' Remember to make eye contact, then move on. Don't stop them unless they ask you a question.

Don't get into an argument with anyone. If someone disagrees with your campaign and tries to start an argument, say: `This leaflet explains the situation. Please read it, it might change your mind.' Then walk away.

Above all, be professional. Dress smartly or wear specially printed T-shirts with your logo on. You could make badges to hand out to people which will help to spread the word.

Take a look at some of the other Action Network guides for more advice on How to use the media and How to write a press release, which may help you develop more ideas for publicity.

5. Advice from a user

Lisa Oldham is a campaigner for Mast Sanity, a group opposing planning permissions for mobile phone and tetra masts. She has advice on how to make a difference with your leaflets:

• You need to get lots of publicity for you campaign. Make lots of noise, be a nuisance. Do local protests and marches to get publicity from all your local media including TV and radio

• When leafleting, target as large an area as possible, at least 100 mile radius. Use shop and post office windows to keep people up-to-date about meetings, notices etc

• When handing out leaflets, pick your spot carefully. Will it get seen by passing traffic if not head for the main road? Design it to get as much impact as possible

6. Feedback and comments

If this guide helped you sort something out, please tell us! It's the only way we'll find out whether people think Action Network is useful. To send us an email, please go to the Contact us page and choose the "Tell us your success" option.

Or you can add a comment below, which will appear on the guide for everyone to see.

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