Make a Flier for a Bake Sale Benefit
A critical element in conducting a successful bake sale benefit is publicity to attract potential customers. Creating a good flier to post or pass out in the community can mean the difference between a lackluster sale and a spectacular one. When creating an advertising flier, think of the three C's--clear, concise and cordial--to make your bake sale a success.
Instructions
Make your flier clear
1. Choose paper that will help convey information about your bake sale. Select paper that reflects your school, club or organization colors. (White paper works best if your colors are dark red or navy blue). Your goal is to identify your event with the organization or cause from the outset.
2. Choose a lettering style that is easy to read, not just close-up but also from a distance. Walk past a sample flier from 10 feet away to see how readable it is and how much information you can gain from a quick look. The basic information: Bake Sale, when, and where should be legible from this distance.
3. Use a variety of print or type sizes for additional information, such as the kinds of baked goods available and the cause benefiting from your efforts. Simple drawings of cookies, cakes and muffins may be a good addition. Get permission and check wording if you are raising money for a large organization such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA); large nonprofits often have rules about how their print logos and descriptions of their organizations can be used in print. Some established local groups may also have rules or strong preferences.
Make your flier concise
4. Keep words as short as possible. "Bake Sale" can be printed in larger type than "Bake Sale Benefit." A short location such as "Outside Library" is sufficient for a school-based sale. For a sale to benefit the public library, for example, you may have to add a branch name and even an address, but try to keep information as clear and visible as possible. "Help Shelter Animals" is a quick way to state your cause in large letters; add information about the ASPCA or your local animal shelter.
5. Include all necessary information, even if you have to be brief, such as "Lunch Hour" or "3 to 4 p.m." Adding the day of the week to the date may seem wordy, but it is one exception to the "concise" dictum; people do not always remember that the Fourth is on Monday.
6. Lay out your information and do the walk-by test again. Clarity and conciseness are partners. Basic information needs to be quickly legible. At the same time, those seeking full information need to be able to find it. Headings sometimes help organize information so it can be easily found. For example: WHAT: Bake Sale. WHO: Brownie Troop 274. WHEN: Tuesday, June 11, Lunchtime. WHERE: Kenworth School Lobby. WHY: Camp Overnight. Information about how proceeds will be used ("all proceeds will benefit campers"), donations ("Call Carol M. at 000-0000 to contribute baked goods) and tax-deductibility ("all donations to Girl Scouts USA are . . .) can be made available in smaller print, organized under a heading, such as QUESTIONS or OUR CAMPAIGN.
Make your flier cordial
7. Use visual and verbal strategies to encourage participation. Visual strategies start with color and print but can include other eye-catchers. A photo of your group draws the eye, as does a simple drawing. Staple a fluttery colored ribbon to your flier--motion draws attention. Use stickers--either one big glittery one or smaller ones to add color. Draw a cookie jar, a muffin or even a smiley-face to draw attention and convey the fun spirit of your project.
8. Make a rave statement that conveys your enthusiasm for what you are doing. Even single words, such as "delicious," "sumptuous" or "finger-licking" get the point across. A silly statement, such as "All This--and Their Homework, Too!," "Secret Family Recipes Go Public" or "Yummy R Us" may be the touch you need.
9. Include a thank-you to participants. A bake sale is rarely an event requiring mandatory participation. Some of your supporters may be buying just to support your project. Amid wrapping brownies, pointing out raisins, making change and answering questions, you may find that things get a little crazy at your sale. Counter any hasty omissions by thanking buyers from the beginning, on your flier.
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