Everyone uses doors to access their homes and businesses, making door hanger advertising methods a potentially effective option for reaching your target audience. First, determine whether your ideal client is likely to pay attention to the piece. Or will they see it as an invasion of privacy and throw it out? If your target market pays attention to door hangers, you’re ready to implement tactics to make it a sales-generating tool.
Targeting
Placing door hangers on every door won’t lead to sales if you’re advertising to the wrong audience. Research your ideal client to learn everything you can about them, including their location, income level and need for your products and services. Determine what kinds or problems they have that your company can solve with its products or services. Then, look for similar groups of prospects who need your products and services and for whom door-hanger advertising might work.
Message
Create a warm and inviting message, and keep it clear and concise because door hangers provide very little space with which to work. Your hanger needs to build credibility immediately, so mention how long you’ve been in business. Give your address and contact information such as a website and phone numbers. Provide useful information — restaurants should hang a plastic bag with their menu inside along with a flyer that reveals testimonials from happy customers. If you just completed a job in the area such as landscaping, roofing or painting, mention it so people know you’ve been in the neighborhood. Give a strong call to action to encourage prospects to take the next action, and provide your contact information in large lettering.
Design
Make the door hanger look attractive so the recipient takes a few seconds to review it. Include your company name and logo to help build your brand, and print the hanger on brightly colored paper. You could use a theme-shaped piece that reflects what you sell, such as a Chinese food take-out box or a bottle if you sell cleaning services. Seasonal or holiday themes might also work. Take advantage of both sides of the hanger so you can use large graphics, headlines that draw attention and smaller copy with all the details. Point people to your website if you have more information you’d like to share with them that doesn’t fit on the hanger.
Special Promotion
Use door hangers to offer special discounts, or mention a limited sale or deal to entice the prospect to take action quickly. If you’re running print, radio or television ads focused on the special promotion, use the hangers to reinforce the message. Include a tear-off coupon with a clear expiration date to generate new and repeat sales.