Solicitors are known as people who knock on your door at eight pm trying to pitch the latest print newspaper to you. Or they’re the assholes that threw a bag of rocks at your door with a coupon inside.

Here’s the definition.

solicitor – so⋅lic⋅i⋅tor [suh-lis-i-ter]
–noun
1. a person who solicits.
2. a person whose business it is to solicit business, trade, etc.

The guy walking up to your door is a canvasser, his job sucks but supposedly it’s effective. The bag of rocks on your driveway is litter, it’s not really the flyers fault some asshole threw it on your driveway. In these situations I think we’d be better off hating the player not the game. Solicitation done ethically is no dirty word. Face to face human interaction is not the problem the playing field just needs to be more clearly defined.

When you at your home no one should bother you. When your out in public you run the immediate risk of encountering something or someone unexpected. If you work in a business with an open door to the public people may attempt to come inside and talk to you. Do not be alarmed! Not everyone is pitching snake oil! Identify who, what, where, and then make a decision!

Getting information to people exactly when they’re looking for it is a holy grail of marketing. The problem with solicitors going door to door, or passing out flyers on the street is that you never know if someone is ready to accept the information you have to offer. Most people it seems, would rather digest the information on their own terms. When, where, and how they want to via the Internet, friends etc. However as a solicitor we believe we have some information someone doesn’t know they want. So as well meaning solicitors we should all brainstorm on how to change our collective image. And find new words for Rockthrowers, Canvassers, and Telemarketers because professional well meaning solicitors they are not.

So in closing not all solicitors are bad. And I believe that businesses should help each other succeed. Instead of shutting doors and posting signs that attempt to spell out such reclusive attitudes in a professional manner. “We don’t want it, no matter what, we know everything, have everything, and don’t want any new friends”.

What if ads were illegal and the only form of communication between product and consumer acceptable was human interaction?

1.) When flyering cars place the flyer on the drivers side window or side view mirror.
As annoying of a tactic flyering cars is I’m amazed at how many people make it even more annoying for the prospect by placing flyer underneath a cars windshield wipers. It could damage the wiper blade, and most people won’t even notice the flyer until they’ve started the car and looked ahead and then will have to get out of the car to take the flyer, or just drive off and hope they fly off on the highway.

2.) Inside is usually better than outside.
If you have some 11×17 tabloids or Posters consider placing them inside stores before stapling them to telephone polls. They generally stay up longer, and people walk a little slower than cars drive so they’ll have time to read your poster. Outdoor posters are not all bad just try to be strategic and place a few over a large area, not 50+ on one stretch.

3.) Come Prepared.
Ever forget your #2 Pencil on a test day? Make sure you have the proper gear to hit the streets; clear tape, a staple gun with extra staples, package tape for outdoors and a back pack or messenger bag is standard issue.

Window Posters

4.) Be Clean.
Take a little time to straighten up the flyer table or wall. It’s makes all the flyers easier to read, it gives you some time to look over everything and take out anything out of date, and most importantly the people working there will see you care about the appearance of their store and welcome your next visit.

5.) Be Nice.
Most stores that allow flyers are independently owned. They pay for the space you want to fill with an advertisement, don’t assume entitlement to place it there. Ask nicely, say thank you, and leave.Saying too much can get you into trouble as well.