Part V: Okay, okay, but if you must...

1. 50 Flyerless Ways to Advertise
Okay, okay. So if you must…

2. I know what I just said.
Flyers don’t work.
But sometimes, you may need to design
something for an event that goes on paper.
This section is dedicated to making sure you
don’t waste your time or money doing so.

3. #41: Get it Approved!
The fastest way to waste time on a flyer is to fail to get it approved.
Because then they all have to come down. Bring a copy by Student
Activities, we can stamp it, and then you’re free to make copies and
distribute as you see fit. (IMAGE CREDIT: Transas City)

4. #42: Spell everything correctly.
Amma, who approves flyers, spelled competitively in middle school and
went to two regional bees. She’s picky. So if it’s wrong, she won’t
approve it. Take a moment to check for spelling and grammar, day/date
agreement, and the year listed. (IMAGE CREDIT: The Atlantic)

5. #43: Make it Interesting. Please
Most printed advertisements fail because they’re boring. Repeat after
me: Clip art inspires no one.
If you’d walk right past it if it were hanging on a wall, what makes you
think anyone else will look? (IMAGE CREDIT: Goanvoice.ca)

6. #44: Mimic something recognizable.
Think about something people stop to look at. Model your flyer or
printed advertisement after those things. (IMAGE CREDIT: Business
Insider)

7. #45: Hang It Where It Goes
If you’re going to hang up a flyer, you should hang it where it won’t get
taken down. As such, please don’t hang flyers on entry and exit doors, on
glass, walls that do not have bulletin boards, or on dedicated bulletin
boards. (IMAGE CREDIT: World of Stock)

8. #46: “Dorm Storm” Responsibly
Our dear friends in ResLife don’t like the “dorm storm” principle. Papers
slipped under doors eventually waft back into the hall, creating a fire
hazard. Alternatives? Use masking tape to tape them to doors, create
door hangers designed to stay on a doorknob, or bypass paper altogether
and use whiteboard markers to share a message. (IMAGE CREDIT: Bits
and Pieces of Me in College)

9. #47 (or 46b): Don’t Forget Commuters!
If you’re going to flyer in residence halls, remember that about 20% of
our student population doesn’t live here. How will they find out?
Consider slips in the commuter lockers (contact Amma for permission) or
submitting the event to Commuter Connection (see #9).
(IMAGE CREDIT: RealSimple/Getty Images)

10. #48: Shape Up
Does a flyer have to be a rectangle? The answer is no. No, it does not. It
takes a little more work, but create eye-catching paper ads by making
them look different from the ones around them. Look at using origami or
patterns to help items become “3D” on a flyer too. (IMAGE CREDIT:
Southampton Printers)

11. #49: Use Them Sparingly.
You will be asked on a more consistent basis how you’re planning on
advertising. “We made a flyer” should not be your default response.
You’re putting money and time into making these events happen, so
have a plan- a real plan- to make them successful. (IMAGE CREDIT:
Cognizant Ventures)

12. #50: Ask for Help!
If you just don’t know how to advertise an event, that’s what the staff of
Student Activities are here for (well, among other things). We’ve given
forty ideas here, and that’s basically off the tops of our heads and the
heads of other students. Ask for help. You might be surprised at what
your peers and advisors can come up with. (IMAGE CREDIT: Amazon-
hk.com)

13. Any Questions?
Email Amma Marfo, Assistant Director of Student Activities, at:
marfoa@emmanuel.edu