Door-to-door vs hand-to-hand vs posting

Three methods, three different jobs, three different costs. If you only run one comparison before launching a campaign, run this one — picking the wrong method is the most expensive mistake you can make.

Door-to-door delivery

How it works: A worker walks a residential block and places one flyer per home — usually on the door handle or under the welcome mat (never inside the mailbox).

Strengths: Highest reach per dollar in residential zones. Recipients see the flyer with no time pressure, which is great for offers that require thinking (real estate, contractors, services). Photo proof is extremely clean because each placement is on a stationary surface.

Weaknesses: Slowest conversion. The flyer is seen hours later, often thrown out before the recipient takes action. Not a fit for time-sensitive offers.

Best for: Local services, real estate, food delivery, neighborhood events, contractor offers, anything where the customer thinks before deciding.

Hand-to-hand distribution

How it works: A worker stands in a high-foot-traffic area and physically hands flyers to people walking by. The recipient engages with the flyer in real time.

Strengths: Highest conversion per flyer. The recipient is engaged, present, and making decisions in the moment — perfect for events, openings, last-minute promotions. Workers can answer quick questions on the spot.

Weaknesses: Highest cost per flyer because each placement is an interaction. Slower volume. Workers need stronger people skills, which means smaller applicant pools.

Best for:Tonight's concert, this weekend's opening, a same-day promo, an event launch, urban foot traffic, areas with high pedestrian density.

Posting on poles, boards, and approved walls

How it works: A worker posts your flyer on community boards, approved poles, kiosks, and walls. The flyer stays up for days or weeks, generating slow but persistent visibility.

Strengths:Lowest cost per impression because each placement keeps working long after it's posted. Great for community awareness, recurring events, gigs, and any offer that benefits from repeated exposure.

Weaknesses:Compliance risk — many cities and venues prohibit posting in certain spots. Photo proof is harder to verify because the “where” is more abstract. Removal by city workers or competitors is common.

Best for: Community events, classes, music gigs, recurring offers, long-tail awareness, neighborhoods with active community boards.

Side-by-side at a glance

Conversion speed:Hand-to-hand > Posting > Door-to-door

Cost per flyer:Door-to-door < Posting < Hand-to-hand

Reach per dollar:Door-to-door > Posting > Hand-to-hand

Compliance risk:Posting > Door-to-door > Hand-to-hand