Why your brochure/flyer isn’t working (and how to fix it)

Creating a brochure or flyer for your business can feel exciting — a chance to share your message, showcase your offer, and make a great impression. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, the end result doesn’t quite land. It might look fine, but something feels off. The message isn’t clear. The layout feels crowded. Or maybe the visuals don’t support the story.

Over the years, I’ve helped many small business owners with promo materials, and I often see the same design issues come up. So I thought I’d share some common pitfalls and how to avoid them — to help you create artwork that’s not just pretty, but effective.

1. No clear visual hierarchy

The reader should know instantly what the flyer is about — what’s the offer, who it’s for, and why they should care. If the header, tagline and key details all fight for attention, it’s confusing.

Fix it: Think in levels. Your main title should grab attention. Your subheading should clarify. Supporting text comes after. Use size, weight, and spacing to guide the eye. Do not use too many fonts!

2. Too much text

Trying to squeeze in every detail often backfires. Instead of feeling informative, it feels overwhelming. And the smaller the text gets, the less likely it is to be read.

Fix it: Focus on what’s essential. What do they really need to know now? Keep it punchy, and invite them to learn more with a website or contact info. Reduce the amount of text if necessary.

3. Cramped layouts & tiny fonts

When space is tight, it’s tempting to shrink everything to fit. But if your text is hard to read and everything is pushed to the edge, it feels stressful to look at — and your message gets lost.

Fix it: Respect margins. Give your content breathing space. Bigger isn’t always better, but clear always is. I can’t stress enough the importance of white (empty) space and letting your document breathe!

4. Distracting or misplaced visuals

Illustrations and icons can support your message beautifully — when they’re well chosen. But the wrong image (or too many) can clutter the design and confuse your audience.

Fix it: Choose visuals with intention. Ask: Does this support the message? Does it match the tone? Or is it just filling space? Less is more when it comes to clarity.

5. Undoing good design decisions

This one’s common — a layout starts strong but loses impact after too many changes. It might be tweaks made too quickly or the temptation to add ‘just one more thing’. The result? A muddled design that no longer flows and lacks clarity.

Fix it: Pause before making changes. Ask yourself: Is this helping the message? Or just adding noise? Sometimes the best move is to step back and trust the simplicity of what’s working.

Final thought: design is about communication

Your flyer isn’t just a pretty graphic — it’s a communication tool. Its job is to speak clearly to the right people. When in doubt, simplify. Clarity always wins.

Need a Hand?

Designing your own flyer can feel like a lot — especially when you're juggling all the other parts of your business.

👉 Download the free checklist here to stay on track.

And if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, feel free to email me flo@sengflodesigns.co.uk — I’d love to help you bring your ideas to life with clarity and confidence.

Cover image by Prydumano Design via Unsplash