Flyers

= How To Create a Flyer =

Definition of Genre
A flyer is a single page that is used for various advertising purposes. Because they are usually inexpensive to make, and can be placed and dispersed in various ways (posted on walls, handed out in person, etc.), flyers are a popular form of mass communication. The main focus of most flyers is to advertise products, promotions, and upcoming events. They can also be used for more personal purposes, such as highlighting a missing pet.

= Genre's Components =
 * Contact Information
 * Text
 * Description of event, item, etc.
 * Eye-catching title and/or graphic
 * Diagrams or pictures

Contact Information should include only the information that is relevant. In some cases, a name and phone number isn't necessary and will only distract the reader or the additional information will make the flyer look cluttered.
 * Contact Information**

The text should be generated towards a specific audience. It should be formatted in an eye-appealing way and should be readable from about two and a half to three feet away.
 * Text**

The description of the event, item, or whatever else the flyer is being created for should be clear and concise. Since flyers use limited text to influence their audience, word choice is incredibly important.
 * Description of Event, Item, Etc.**

Because the flyer is typically used to promote an event or an item, it needs to catch the readers attention. This is typically done by creating an interesting yet readable title and including a relevant graphic.
 * Eye-Catching Title and/or Graphic**

Diagrams and pictures should enhance the flyer, not create a distraction. These graphics should be relevant to the flyer, be high-quality images, and should typically fit the same color scheme that has been used in the flyer. Avoid using too many graphics, as this can make a flyer look cluttered.
 * Diagrams or Pictures**

Writer's Materials
Materials for creating a flyer depend on 1) What type of flyer you want to create, and 2) The amount of quality you want the flyer to have. Generally, you will need some--if not all--of the following materials:
 * Paper
 * Writing utensil (pen, marker, pencil, crayon, etc.)
 * Glue (in case you want to make a collage-type flyer)
 * A computer
 * Pictures (photos, drawings, etc.)
 * Layout and Design Program
 * Staples, nails, tacks, tape--anything used to post a flyer to a wall or on any other object

The most important material needed will be your imagination! Your own unique skill and creativity will be your most valuable resource for capturing an audience's attention.

Writer's Steps[[image:http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Flyers_sobe_2.jpg/200px-Flyers_sobe_2.jpg width="288" height="375" align="right"]]

 * 1) Before creating your flyer, develop the 'Call to Action'. This topic is required to ensure the best results are achieved. Choose the primary reason for creating the flyer in order to give it focus. A common mistake made by organizations is to create a flyer that is too broad in purpose which loses the focus of their target audience resulting in less-than-optimal performance of the flyer.
 * 2) Do some research. Gather and compile all the information that you would require to put into the flyer. Research where the flyer should be located. Find WHO and WHY you want to attract the people that the flyer is generated toward.
 * 3) Establish a center of attention. Decide which idea or image is most important on the page and makes it the single most dominant visual element by playing up its size, position, or density.
 * 4) Write a catchy headline. They are the ones that get the attention so it’s crucial that it’s unique! Headlines determine who you want to attract and who the target population will be! Use bold fonts and gain the reader’s attention with colors and visual display.The supporting text should also not exceed three sentences to keep from losing the reader's interest.
 * 5) Consider a "limited time only" because then the target population will feel an urgent need to contact you! You don’t want them to take a flyer and tuck it away—you want them to act fast so create a deadline for them to get a hold of you.
 * 6) Include all your basic contact information. Make it easy for your target audience to get in touch with you. Remember that the purpose of a flyer in the first place so you can have your potential clients/students/employees contact you for more information.
 * 7) Convince the target reader to take action. The remainder of verbiage on a flyer should focus on convincing the consumer how the product or service will solve a problem they have. If the flyer is for an event, then the focus should be on what will be gained by attending the function.
 * 8) The end-result of the flyer is to get the consumer to take action, make a sale, visit a website, or attend an event they might not otherwise do.

**Writer's Tips and Troubleshooting** For more help on how to create a flyer please visit: [|Flyer Help] or check out the YouTube video below:
 * === **Layout** ﻿ ===
 * Size of the flyer
 * 4x5, 8.5x11, 11x17
 * Horizontal vs. Vertical
 * Horizontal can make it easier to display larger amounts of information
 * Vertical can be more eye-appealing
 * === **Font** ===
 * Easy to read
 * Large enough to read from about 2.5 to 3 feet away
 * Draws reader's attention to the flyer
 * === **Color** ===
 * Use of color is generated to particular audience
 * Color is used in a creative manner yet doesn't distract the reader
 * Black and white can be effective if used with creative fonts
 * === **Contact Info** ===
 * Put only enough contact information as necessary
 * Too much info can be distracting and overwhelming for the reader
 * For example, if the flyer is being used to promote a band's show, it's probably not necessary to list all band members and they're cell phone numbers on the flyer
 * === Graphics ===
 * The graphic should be interesting yet relevant to the flyer
 * Use only high-quality graphics
 * The graphic should fit the color scheme chosen and should be a nice addition to the flyer, not a distraction
 * Avoid using too many graphics, this can make the flyer look cluttered
 * === Placement ===
 * Audience
 * The flyer is created with a specific audience in mind
 * Venue
 * The flyer is placed in a venue that attracts that specific audience

A video example of how to create a flyer
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