Illegal Marketing Techniques That Local Businesses Frequently Perform

Marketing plays a major role in the success of a retail business. If you aren't actively promoting and spreading the word about your store, you're essentially 'hoping' that customers will find it through word-of-mouth. Unfortunately, word-of-mouth will only take you so far; it's up to you to kick your retail business up to the next level through marketing and promotions. But there are a few things you should know before you begin a local marketing campaign. For a list of some of the most common illegal marketing techniques, keep reading.

Handing Out Flyers In Person

I think we've all been bombarded by someone trying to hand us a flyer in the parking lot of a grocery store or department store at some point or another. With so many people performing this type of marketing, it must be effective right? Even if handing out flyers yields some value for a business, it's illegal is most jurisdictions. This marketing technique falls under the category of solicitation, which is illegal unless you have the property owner's permission. And guess what, chances are slim to none that the property owner of a busy shopping center will permit you to advertise your local business.

Note: depending on your location, you may be able to hand out flyers on public streets. Again, this is something you'll need to check your local laws and statutes to determine whether or not it's legal.

Placing Flyers on Car Windshields

This marketing technique also falls under the category of solicitation. It's not uncommon for small business owners to promote their store by placing flyers on cars parked in a busy parking lot. While the laws vary from city to city, most have ordinances prohibiting this type of marketing. Disobeying this ordinance will likely result in a warning on your first offense, but continuing to place flyers on car windshields could result in a hefty fine. Save your money and resources for more effective, legal forms of advertising.

Placing Yard Signs at Busy Intersections

Ever pull up to a red light only to notice half a dozen or more small yard signs cluttering the intersection? For whatever the reason, this has become a popular form of local marketing for small businesses. And while it may offer some value when performed correctly, advertising your business with a yard sign placed at a busy intersection is typically illegal. City ordinance enforcers will scoop them up and throw them away faster than you're able to make them.