Build Local Connections – Leaflet or Flyer Distribution

Leanne Woods, a crafter from the United Kingdom, sells a beautiful range of knitwear, homeware and gifts all handmade in Newtownards, Northern Ireland.  Her shop online is located at Folksy, a place to buy handmade things, and for makers to sell their work and find supplies.  This website is based in the UK and aims to reclaim craft and showcase talented makers and their work.

Leanne recently shared her tips for selling handmade in her local community with HandmadeMarketing.org.

“If you would like to get the word out to customers not already familiar with the handmade community and especially in your local area, try asking your local newsagent if they would mind you adding a small leaflet or flyer to their carrier bags,” Leanne said.  “Most are happy enough to let you do this by taking a stack of their carriers home and sliding a leaflet into each before returning them to the shop.“

Leanne tells us that this has recently worked well for her handmade item business.  She attributes the success, in part, because she’s already friendly with her local newsagent and didn’t feel nervous about asking.

Leanne advises handmade sellers ton consider the ease for the agent.  “It causes no extra hassle to the agent whatsoever, they just grab a bag as usual,” she says.

Lastly, Leanne says this works because the majority of people who end up with a carrier bag in newsagents are the people buying glossy magazines. These consumers may be your prime target for your handmade shop!

“If you’re really friendly with you local agent you could even try targeted marketing,” Leanne suggests.  “Find out which colour bags he/she uses day to day and then buy a different colour yourself (they’re quite inexpensive) and add you leaflets asking the agent to use these bags only for fashion mags, wedding mags and so forth. Your agent will admittedly be more willing to do this if you already have a good relationship with them or for a small fee.”

Thank you for the marketing tip Leanne!

Do you want to learn more about Leanne’s craft?  Read her blog, or follow her on Twitter @SeetheWoods!  You can also browse her handmade items at her Folksy shop online.

Tell us what you have found works when marketing and selling handmade in your community!  If HandmadeMarketing.org publishes your tips and tricks, we’ll link to your shop or website.  Sellers receive free press for lending their knowledge, and both new and experienced sellers alike get new ideas.  Share with HandmadeMarketing.org.