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I am also starting a flyer distribution service in Houston. I have 10 or so years experience in this industry. I started in Houston in 1994 working with my family. I branched out and went on my own until I moved to Seattle for about 8 years. There it was easy to sell but impossible to deliver because of all the hilly neighborhoods. I was forced to go into another advertising media and worked for a large company there. Now I'm back home in Houston and will be rebuilding my business. Sometimes its easier with a partner. It makes it more interesting but the profits would be split. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

How are you at sales?
How will you be at field supervising?
How would you keep a steady crew working?
Do you know your Greater Houston demographics, ie, homes per zip code, annual income per zip code, number in household, which zips are restricted and more.
Can you build a map?
Are you prepared for birddogging clients?
Are you Key Map savvy?
How will you get your first client?
Do you have the right vehicle to haul the ? number of crew members?
A few hints: Always charge more to go out to the Woodlands. Homes are farther apart and it takes longer to distribute the flyers. Also, always have a minimum number of flyers per job. Never take a job that someone wants to deliver 500 flyers unless its an add on to another job. Also, always try to co-op with 2 noncompetitive customers.
There's so much more like printing, designing copy and the profits you can make by offering those services.
Oh, you wondered how to charge: By the job NOT by the hour. Figure out how much you're going to charge per piece and come up with a minimum flyer count per drop.
Good luck to us both! We'll see each other out there!

I want to tell you that when you say "My company would JUST be flyer delivery service" you're thinking small. Remember you will be providing a much valued service to local businesses and even bigger are the political campaign candidates this year. Many businesses depend on flyer and doorhanger distribution to survive - such as pizza companies, maid services, lawn care professionals. Don't think small because you are small. Your potential clients don't know that! Act big and you will be big!

Flyer Distribution Delivery, Welcome

Do you know about SCORE?? SCORE is FREE and can help you in starting your business,
You can visit SCORE both in person or online FREE.

Good luck

Here's a great business that has some fabulous income potential if done right... a flyer delivery service.

Coordinating this marketing effort for other local businesses is a win win for them and the business. They're getting their name out to potential new customers and you are creating income by providing a needed service.

This business is actually pretty easy to get going if you have the right contacts. It might take a bit longer if you need to find people to participate. Here are some tips for your child to get this simple business going:

Your goal with this business is to find local businesses to pay you to deliver their flyers to the homes in your surrounding neighborhoods.

By finding several businesses, you can put together door bags of information from groups of businesses so you're making one delivery trip but earning money from several businesses instead of just one.

First, determine your delivery area. Decide what's reasonable for you as far as delivery goes. Can you bike a bit further away to reach more homes? Do you drive or have access to transportation so you're able to go even further. Do some research to find out how many homes are in the general area to which you'll be delivering.

Next you'll want to start contacting the businesses in your area. Don't just concentrate on storefront companies, but contact local home based business moms as well - like Tupperware and Pampered Chef ladies as well. They often are looking or inexpensive advertising options.

Set your price based on your delivery area and how much time you think it will take you to deliver to those homes.
The businesses will be paying for their own flyer creation and then paying you your fee to do the deliveries. Factor in the cost of any door hanger bags (check online for good prices on these) when you're determining your pricing.

http://www.doortodoorflyers.com/Default.aspx?load=Home&section=Home

Make your own flyer to include in your delivery bag! This will be a great way for you to get new business too!

Limit the amount of flyers in the bags. You don't want so much that the recipients just throw the bags away without looking at the flyers. 10-15 flyers per bag is probably a good number.

Have each business print up enough flyers for the amount of homes you'll plan to deliver to. Set a flyer pick up date with each business and a guaranteed delivery date as well so the businesses know when to expect the phone calls as a result of the campaign.

Send out thank you notes to your advertisers and always give them first chance at your next round of deliveries.

For more advice or design and printing for your customers, you can reach me at dclopez@dclgraphics.com

David C. Lopez

I am looking for a flyer delivery service who will fill specialized delivery orders to deliver post-it notes to older homes in the Houston area. Our territorries will be coordinated with zip codes, and we need to specify:
no apartments
no businesses
no mobile homes
no new housing developments

Please indicate per piece pricing.

DCL:

You need to tell folks to check with their local city hall before passing out door to door hanging fliers.
There may be a fine for doing this-plus if you can put door hangers on some cities require that they may not hang on the door(s) for more than 24hours.
Some cities fine people up to 100 $$$$ per door--

Also if the flier package falls off the door knob and someone gets hurt somebody is going to get sued big time.
If you are a llc they will sue the llc and if you do not have insurance you may loss everything now and in the future.

It pays to KNOW

Would you think about expanding out into Austin, Texas?