Flyering in HOA's

[TheGoat]

So I've seen questions several times asking about hanging flyers in HOA run neighborhoods. Here is what I did. I already had one client in the neighborhood and decided I wanted more so I could fill in a day of work in the area because it's far enough out of the way of my other routes to justify it. I saw the "no soliciting" signs but at the time I considered "soliciting" to mean knocking on doors and asking a person to make a decision on the spot. I considered what I was doing to be Advertising. So, psychologically unburdened, I proceeded to flyer every door in the neighborhood(105 of em), serviced my account in the neighborhood and then moved on the the rest or my route. Several hours later I noticed a voicemail on my phone. I listened and it was from the president of the HOA telling me soliciting is not allowed in their private neighborhood and that I needed to come and remove the fliers. I called him around 7:30 in the evening and apologized profusely and said that I'd send someone to remove the fliers in the morning, apologized again and hung up. I took my time getting there, going to do two estimates first(signed em!) one of which was in the neighborhood of the HOA. after the estimate I went around and rounded up what ever fliers will still hanging(21 of em) and got out of there. After that I called the HOA pres back and let him know that I had come and picked them up and apologized again if I caused him any inconvenience. Made some excuse about overzealous employees and promised it would never happen again. So, results. I know 84 fliers were delivered to potential clients and one new client worth $800 a year with bi-weekly service. Cost, $6.48 for the fliers and the time to hang them. two phone calls for a total of about 5 minutes of making humble and apologetic noises. Now, not sure I would do this again. easier to just mail the cards, but I am not dissatisfied with the result.

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Hungry Goat Lawn Service, Deltona, FL

[Hedgemaster]

Lawn care business tips

Could you have been fined?

[Steve]

Now, not sure I would do this again. easier to just mail the cards, but I am not dissatisfied with the result.

You know, this sounds very creative.

I do wonder if a HOA has any power at all to fine a person distributing flyers. My guess is that they don't. Maybe they could call the police and have you removed from the area? Maybe?

But I don't think they have any power to do anything.

To me this falls into a guerrilla marketing strategy and it can be very effective because you have less competitors handing out flyers.

To take this one step further, you could find out who the president is and the officers are of a HOA, look up where they live and avoid their homes when you hand out flyers in the future.

I applaud you. Great job!

[shadrach]

Originally Posted by TheGoat

I saw the "no soliciting" signs but at the time I considered "soliciting" to mean knocking on doors and asking a person to make a decision on the spot. I considered what I was doing to be Advertising.

"Soliciting" is usually aggressive like door to door sales - something where there is pressure on the person to sign up right then.
what you are doing is passive - they can call you later if they want to.
Some places have "handbill" laws where you may have to have a permit to do what you are doing. I bet the HOA guy couldn't do anything if he wanted to. The most I have ever heard of around here is police asking people to leave a neighborhood but that is about it.

[Hedgemaster]

Twisting the meaning to suit your needs doesn't change the rules. (but the OP already knew that)

Can't hand out flyers here without a solicitation permit. Not sure what the fine is though.