How Much Does Leaflet Distribution Cost in the UK?
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How much does leaflet distribution cost here in the UK? What are the available plans and pricing? What’s the difference between the cheapest and most expensive? Let’s find out…
As with most services, residential (also known as door-to-door) distribution is available at many different price points. This article covers all of your options and the approximate price range you can expect to pay.
Furthermore, we’ll look at which plans bring in the highest response and what to look out for with cheap and (not so) cheerful companies. Let’s get into it!
The Quick Answer
Here in the UK, leaflet distribution pricing is nearly always per thousand properties. Shared plans start at £25 per thousand and go up to around £60 or more per thousand if using the Royal Mail.
Solus and solus plus one campaigns (where your flyers go out on their own or with only one other flyer) usually start at £60 per thousand. This goes up to around £160 per thousand, keeping in mind that it takes around eight hours to deliver 1000 flyers or leaflets.
Cheap leaflet distribution plans would normally be cause for concern. Are they charging enough to pay their staff properly and still make a profit? If not, it’s highly likely they won’t be delivered properly, or even at all.
How Much Does Leaflet Distribution Cost in the UK?
Firstly, a quick note on leaflet distribution pricing: In the UK, companies charge per thousand properties delivered to. Additionally, most will have a minimum quantity that you can order. For example, 5000 properties.
FACTS: Cheap and marketing should never go together in the same sentence.
How Long Does it Take?
Secondly, consider the time it takes to deliver 1,000 flyers or leaflets. This can vary drastically depending on the area and property types, but an average time would be eight hours.
It’s important to realise that companies should be charging enough to a) pay their staff properly and b) make a profit. This is always worth keeping in mind when shopping around for quotes.
Related: How long does it take to deliver 1000 leaflets?
What Distribution Plan Does Your Campaign Require?
Another key aspect that will determine your price range is the type of distribution plan you require.
Here are your different options available here in Nottingham, Mansfield, Leicester, Loughborough and throughout the UK.
1. Shared Deliveries – Lowest Cost, Lowest Response
A shared plan is when your flyer or leaflet goes out with several others. This is usually your lowest cost but it also brings in the lowest possible response rates.
Certain companies, mentioning no names, of course (Royal Mail) are notorious for hiding your flyer inside a pizza menu or Farmfoods leaflet.
2. Solus+1 Deliveries – Best Value, Much Higher Response
Because you won’t always necessarily need a full solus campaign, a solus+1 plan (your flyer delivered with a maximum of one other) will usually be the sweet spot. A happy medium.
3. Solus Deliveries – Most Expensive, Maximum Visibility
Lastly, solus plans offer the maximum visibility and response rates. Your flyer or leaflet is delivered entirely on its own.
Although this is the ideal distribution method, it’s also the most expensive.
Related: What is solus leaflet distribution?
How Much Does Leaflet Distribution Cost?
When gathering your ideas and information about how much does leaflet distribution cost, there are a couple of quick things to keep in mind:
Deadlines
Always book in plenty of time. If you’ve left it right until the last minute, you could end up paying extra.
Here at Leaflet Lion, for example, if you needed something urgent and quicker than our standard turnaround time, we charge anything from 50% to 100% extra.
GPS Tracking
GPS tracking is a standard way for leaflet distribution companies to show they’ve completed your area properly.
That said, I hear endless tales of unclear routes. Furthermore, one of our clients recently came to us after a nightmare with a competitor who hadn’t provided any tracking after promising they would.
Don’t be afraid to ask for examples and find out exactly what happens if it’s not provided. GPS tracking should certainly not cost any extra, either.
The Weight of Your Flyer or Leaflet
The weight of your marketing materials can seriously affect your price. To keep costs down, opt for a simple 170gsm or 250gsm A5 flyer wherever possible.
Related: How many flyers should I print for a distribution campaign?
Royal Mail (Shared Plans Only)
Royal Mail’s shared distribution plans start at £64.75 per thousand if you have up to 25’000 flyers or leaflets delivered. This is for a new customer and the prices vary depending on the weight and quantity.
This would then take place over six months. They do, however, also offer a last-minute service at an additional cost. All campaigns are based on a minimum spend of £200+VAT and handling charges.
Independent Distribution Companies
If you’re looking to work with an independent leaflet distribution team, most will offer more than just a shared plan. For this reason, the prices can vary quite drastically.
Shared plans will often start at around £25 per thousand and go up to £50 or £60 per thousand.
Solus and solus+1 plans would normally be available from £60 per thousand and can go up to £160 or more.
One of the most important factors you’ll need to consider when budgeting for and planning your marketing campaign is your return on investment (ROI). In other words, how much value are you getting out of your campaign compared to what you’re putting into it?
How Cheap is Too Cheap?
Lastly, if you only take one piece of advice from this article, make it this one; leaflet distribution is a time-consuming task. Therefore, when the price seems to good to be true, it probably is.
Again, the time it takes averages around eight hours, although experienced teams should be able to complete each thousand much quicker than this. With that said, if a company isn’t charging enough to cover these hours and still make a profit, alarm bells will be ringing 🚨
Shared plans will be cheap as they make up the difference with all of the other flyers. Because solus and solus+1 plans don’t have this advantage, they should always be priced accordingly.
Related: Three reasons cheap leaflet distribution doesn’t work.
How Much Does Leaflet Distribution Cost – Conclusion
To conclude, leaflet distribution comes with a massively varied price range. From cheap and cheerful £25 shared plans to £160 per thousand solus drops.
Important items to consider when shopping around are the type of plan your campaign requires. Shared, solus+1 or solus? Additionally, the weight, area and deadlines can all affect your pricing.
Cheaper plans are rarely the best option. Make sure you do plenty of research and, of course, keep in mind the time it takes (an average of eight hours) to deliver 1000 flyers.
Thanks for stopping by…
My name’s Mike Hindle. I’m the owner here at Leaflet Lion. I also work in digital marketing (local SEO and web design) over at my other business, Clearcut Derby.