Most small businesses, which do business in their communities, have found that distributing flyers is a good way to generate new customers and thus increase sales. Unfortunately many of these small companies go too far and do not follow proper etiquette and end up either breaking the law or upsetting potential customers.

Many municipalities have ordinances on the distributing of handbills or flyers. And of course it is against the law to litter as well. The USPS has laws against using mailboxes for flyering, as they are only for mail so Do not pass out flyers in mailboxes, unless in single story office buildings with door slots only. You should never flyer cars or windshield wipers.

Having used flyers in our companies over the years we have distributed millions of flyers, but we were careful to follow the ordinances, rules and laws, which govern the distribution of handbills. Our company is a Mobile Carwash Business, which has sold franchises in 22 states. We have watched competitors flyer cars and then seen these flyers littered all over a parking lot upsetting the landowners, patrons, police and small business shop proprietors. We recall one even being called up by the local postmaster threatening to have them arrested if they continued to put their flyers in home mailboxes on the third warning.

It is best to do direct sales and those interested then leave them a flyer. Some good places to reach people are in places of mass gatherings upon exiting and walking back to their cars. If they want the flyer they take one and if not, you save the printing costs. If one wants to leave a flyer on a car, it is best to leave a business card instead left at a 45 degree angle between the driver