Where This Article Came From
A lot of the articles here start the same way — something I see, hear, or experience that gets the wheels turning. Sometimes it’s a small phrase someone says at a show, sometimes it’s something I run into while working on a project, and sometimes it’s a comment that pops up on social media that makes me stop and think for a minute.
This one started with a few comments I saw on one of my Facebook posts. Then I ran across a similar discussion in another group talking about the same thing. After reading through some of the comments, it was pretty clear this might be a good topic to talk about a little more.
And that’s how this article came to be.
Why the Information on a Flyer Matters
The information on a car show flyer is pretty important if you want people to show up, know who to contact if they have questions, and understand what to expect when they get there.
I’ve been attending car shows for a long time — maybe not as long as some of you, but definitely longer than others. Over the years I’ve also created quite a few car show flyers for events I’ve been involved in.
Does that make me an expert? By no means. I’ve made mistakes before, and I probably will again. Thankfully most of them get caught before the flyer ever makes it out into the wild.
One thing that helps reduce those mistakes is a simple checklist I use whenever I’m putting a flyer together. I figured I’d share it here, and if it helps someone out along the way, even better.
Start With the Basics
Start with the basics — who, what, when, where, and why. If those things are clearly on the flyer, you’re already most of the way there.
The Who, What, When, Where, and Why
Who
This should include whoever is hosting or organizing the event, along with names, phone numbers, email addresses, or any other contact information people might need if they have questions about the event. I usually place the contact information near the bottom of the flyer so it’s easy to find.
This is also a good place to recognize your sponsors. Make sure they get the credit they deserve for helping make the event happen.
What
This one is pretty straightforward — it’s a car show. Be sure to include the name of the event. For me, this usually goes right at the top of the flyer so people immediately know what they’re looking at.
When
Include the date and time the event will take place, and a rain date if you have one. I always recommend using the full date, including the year. In the world of social media, things never really disappear, and sooner or later an old flyer will get shared somewhere by someone.
Where
Where is the event being held? The most helpful option is to include the full address with city and state. These days most people are using a GPS app on their phone to find the location. If you only list the venue name, someone could end up at a completely different place — sometimes even in another state.
Why
If the event supports a cause or charity, make sure that’s clearly shown. A lot of people enjoy supporting a good cause, so don’t be shy about highlighting it. Include the name of the organization, and if possible their logo, so people know what they’re helping support.
The Basics Go a Long Way
If you cover those five simple things — who, what, when, where, and why — you’re already well on your way to creating a solid car show flyer. It doesn’t have to be fancy or overly complicated. The most important thing is making sure people have the information they need to decide if they want to come out and enjoy the event.
A quick example of what a clear, complete flyer can look like compared to one that is missing information.
A Few Other Things That Help a Flyer
The information above will give you a good, solid flyer — but there are a few other things you can include that make it even better.
Entry Fees
Including the entry fee lets people know what to expect when they arrive. This is especially helpful for events where the fee is collected as vehicles come through the gate.
Registration Time
If registration has a specific start and end time, that needs to be on the flyer too. That way, if someone shows up late and registration has already ended, there should not be any surprises.
Food Vendors
If you are going to have food vendors on site, or even just food available, make sure that is listed on the flyer. Some venues used for car shows may not have restaurants or anything nearby. This can also be another source of support for your cause or charity.
Parking Details
Be clear about spectator parking, and especially whether trailer parking is available nearby. People trailering a vehicle need a place to park that truck and trailer. You really do not want them pulling into the show car area, blocking traffic, or taking up extra space.
Awards / Classes
This is something a lot of people like to see. If you have room, list the classes or categories that awards will be given for. This is also a good place to let people know what type of judging you are using, whether that is a 100-point system, participant judging, or something else.
Make It Readable
In my opinion — and this may be up for debate — it is still possible to put too much on a flyer or make it so busy that it becomes hard to read. So be careful not to overdo it.
Proof It
Make sure you look over the flyer several times before posting it on social media or starting to hand it out. I also like to send it to other people to get a second or even third set of eyes on it. Once I have been looking at it for hours while putting it together, I can easily miss something. Extra eyes are worth a lot.
The Bottom Line
I think that about wraps this up. If you include the five W’s on your flyer, along with some of the extra details we talked about, you’ll have a very solid car show flyer.
These are simply suggestions based on what has worked for me over the years. They’re the same things I still use today whenever I’m putting together a flyer for an event I’m hosting or creating one for someone else.
At the end of the day, the goal is pretty simple — make sure people have the information they need so they can show up, enjoy the event, and support what you’re doing.
Hopefully this helps a few folks avoid some common mistakes and makes it easier for everyone to find and enjoy the shows happening in our communities.
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