The post office and flyers.... any suggestions

[Mike821]

I just asked the post office if it is allowable to post a flyer in the flag of the mailbox. They looked at me like I was on another planet. NO WAY....nothing on the mailbox, in the mailbox, or hanging from the mailbox.

OK...so that kills my idea of adertizing by tucking the flyers in the flag.

I was thinking about putting a two page roll type flyer...like two pieces of paper...one with the company logo and services offered....the other a coupon type flyer...100 of of any ----service over XXX 1/2 off your first cut with a referal...something to that extent.

These flyers in a plasic clear bag would be placed at the end of the driveway like a newspaper.

What do you think?

I know that door hangers are the way to go....but the target area that I want to hit the homes are not in a development....far apart.

Your thoughts......

[BQLC]

This has been mentioned before try placinf some rocks in the plastic back to keep them from flying off

[cgaengineer]

Dont do the plastic baggy with rocks...a homeowner will likely toss it in the garbage...put bird seed or grass seed in it. Give them a reason to open it.

[P.Services]

i say f the mail lady slap em on the box flag, my post office told me not to either and i put out 8,000 and never got a call. if they do call say you didt know its not like they will fine you the first time

[IN2MOWN]

Dont do the plastic bag AT ALL. It's very unprofessional looking. Take the time to put the flier on the door or try postcards and doorhangers.

[Mike821]

OK....so you think that the post card might do the trick. I was thinking just now....what if I put a sapling like a spruce or something along that line in with a flyer (nice one) and both in a bag. Grass seed was also a good idea....but if you send out 10,000 flyers that is a shi$load of grass seed. Saplings are just one shot...in the bag.

I am just looking for a good way to advertise the first year out of the gate 2008.

[LushGreenLawn]

How much are saplings? That could end up being pretty expensive. I put fliers on the mailbox flags all the time. I was hesitant after reading all the negative comments about it on here, but during my pesticide test I talked to another company in a different county that told me he has been doing it since he started his business over 15 years ago, and never got called on it yet.

I put out about 5000 this year, never heard one complaint, and picked up a decent amount of business.

Also.... the first time I passed the mail lady as I was putting them out I thought, here we go, I'm gonna get called out on it or she's going to start taking them down. She smiled, waved, and went about her business.

I have also noticed every time I go out I run into a few that are on vacant houses from other companys. Big company's like comcast, culligan water, owens corning (for their new basement refinishing stuff) so this must be pretty standard practice

[fiveoboy01]

I can't believe some of you are advocating putting them on the mailbox.

Just because YOU didn't get caught and/or fined, does not mean someone else won't.

At least they can come back here and blame you for your stupid advice...

[mdlwn1]

Do the flyers in the flag.......preferably on sat or sun when you can run into the owners..........Got my start this way. Blanketing.....1% response...targeting potential customers....6% response

[mdlwn1]

It's a dog eat dog world............just do it and keep looking forward

[HOOLIE]

I can't believe some of you are advocating putting them on the mailbox.

Just because YOU didn't get caught and/or fined, does not mean someone else won't.

At least they can come back here and blame you for your stupid advice...

I think most business people bend/break/ignore rules and regulations from time to time, not advocating it myself but putting a flier on a mailbox, in the grand scheme of things, is not a big deal.

Just be aware of the law and the possiblity for a fine. Now my old boss was called 5 times in about 6 years by the Postmaster and never got fined...always a warning. I imagine it just depends on who you're dealing with.

My advice...hire someone to pass them out for you. Unless you're really without work, passing out fliers yourself is not the best use of your time.

[mdlwn1]

Almost forgot.....doorhangers and 1/2 under the doormat works awesome. Also got a big wall job 2 years after my fler went out because it was gay azz pink! "we saw it in the middle of all of those papers"

[Mike821]

got me thinking.......the chance might be worth it. After all, the newspaper folks can put a mailbox under the regular mailbox...???? Just a hard working man trying to start out and maximize my advertising vs. time doing so. So I chance it.......like some say.....what you do not know will not hurt if you play dumb. If they decide to give me a ring....so be it. After 10,000 of them it might just be worth the chance. I am not one to really break rules...well who am I kidding. Whatever it takes....just get the job done to start. After the first year I will have saved some capital to invest in my business.

Additionally I wanted to target some (snakes)..real estate folks. Yes I have read many threads about them....but, one out of a dozen are on the up and up. It is like politicians or used car salesmen ....you do not know what to believe. I do know of a few good real estate folks and they are on the up and up as far as I go. (purchased my home from one) I guess all it takes is one and they can filter the snakes from the up and up folks in the business. As for the one off jobs....I plan to charge....and the favors for the finders will be a discount. None of this free shi@ that everyone has mentioned. Any way I can get my name out in the field I will do so.

Lastly, the door hangers are a great idea. Professional and I find them to be a good way to get to know people if they are in the yard/home.

[Liberty Lawn & Landscape]

Hanging anything on the mailbox is illegal, like federal. The post however is fair game. There are alot of communities that will prosecute. Back when I got started and only had a few accounts, I'd start going door to door after I finished the last yard. I went 5 houses and the guy there hired me on the spot. Now I have 6 in the subdivision as well as common areas for the HOA. I had to crawl at first and I'm runnin' now.:walking:

[daveintoledo]

be careful who you listen to here, many are just little kids pretending to have a business.......if you cant find a LEGAL way to advertise, you are already doomed... if you cant figure out how to do this without breaking the law... you should just get a job and give up

[Vikings]

I looked into that Idea of putting a pack of flower seeds inside a baggy with a flyer (I read about it in Sean Adam's Business package) but it was WAY Too expensive.

Here in Canada we can do whatever we want with a mail box, put anything on it or in it. I really think that is a stupid american law you got down there.

Anyway, there is a reason why door hangers are so popular in the states, it's because you don't have to mess with the mail box. So get door hangers.

Edit: I'm curious, what if you're a paper boy? can they put the paper in the mail box?

[cgaengineer]

I looked into that Idea of putting a pack of flower seeds inside a baggy with a flyer (I read about it in Sean Adam's Business package) but it was WAY Too expensive.

Here in Canada we can do whatever we want with a mail box, put anything on it or in it. I really think that is a stupid american law you got down there.

Anyway, there is a reason why door hangers are so popular in the states, it's because you don't have to mess with the mail box. So get door hangers.

Edit: I'm curious, what if you're a paper boy? can they put the paper in the mail box?

Newspapers have their own boxes or are delivered by tossing them in the driveway. Nothing stupid about protecting the contents of my mailbox.

[Vikings]

You think your mailbox is protected? ROFL

This actually answers a curiosity I've had, In american movies you always see kids throwing newspapers on the driveways, hitting the windows etc. I've must have seen this a thousand times in various movies and tv shows but I've NEVER seen this in real life here in Canada. It must be because of that silly law.

[fiveoboy01]

I agree that it's a stupid law.

The homeowner has to buy the mailbox but somehow the USPS owns it... ROTFL...

[cgaengineer]

Well I wont say the law is as good as a lock, but it keeps the average person out.

[Vikings]

Well there is a little known law about theft ya know.

[jrush]

It's only a flier, how many times have you gotten something in the mail and was so upset by it you we're calling the police, the post master, the attorney general, lawyers etc?... Follow the mail truck and stick'em in the boxes he's already been to, if your that worried. It's cheap effective advertising-just what a business owner should be interested in. whether your a kid just starting or 20 years into it. My dad was a mailman for 18 years-never wasted time causing a stink about a damn flyer.

[cgaengineer]

Well there is a little known law about theft ya know.


Yes, but the fines for tampering with ones mail are alot more serious then stealing candy from a grocery store.

[tinman]

I just asked the post office if it is allowable to post a flyer in the flag of the mailbox. They looked at me like I was on another planet. NO WAY....nothing on the mailbox, in the mailbox, or hanging from the mailbox.

OK...so that kills my idea of adertizing by tucking the flyers in the flag.

I was thinking about putting a two page roll type flyer...like two pieces of paper...one with the company logo and services offered....the other a coupon type flyer...100 of of any ----service over XXX 1/2 off your first cut with a referal...something to that extent.

These flyers in a plasic clear bag would be placed at the end of the driveway like a newspaper.

What do you think?

I know that door hangers are the way to go....but the target area that I want to hit the homes are not in a development....far apart.

Your thoughts......

must be , who you talk to. My postmaster said as long as it is attached to the post it is ok. bags with a rock don't work btw. They are fast and easy , but they don't work.