How to give out Pamphlets

[Question everything]

I obviously can't go outside my house and pass out communist brochures... (especially not considering I live in a wealthy area), so how can I do it right? where do I go? and any suggestions on good pamphlets for my area?

[Political_Chucky]

Hmm well first I think you need to consider the age group you are targeting. If your looking for the younger generation, I would probably say either outside of theaters(Harvest Christians always out there buggin me), malls, or just local kick it spots. I havn't done this before, but those are probably the most likely spots i'd hit up. Pool halls, Hookah bars, coffee shops, or even near universities would be a great idea.

[redcannon]

targeting a specific demographic is important, yes, but what do you plan on putting in your pamphlet? make sure the info is accurate, because cappie pigs love taking those things and pointing out the errors, making us look like idiots.

[Question everything]

targeting a specific demographic is important, yes, but what do you plan on putting in your pamphlet?

I posted this thread because I was hoping someone would give me some good links on pamphlets that you think would be good to distribute in a relativly weathy area (not millionaires but you get the Idea)

[Forward Union]

where are you from? I could well be able to give you some good stuff to hand out.

[Nothing Human Is Alien]

Some leaflets (http://freepeoplesmovement.org/fpm/page.php?251)

[Question everything]

I live in a WEATHLY area, most people here are bouregous, petty-bouregous, and well paid workers, I need Anti-Facism or Pacifist pamplets if I expect people to take notice (at least in a possitive way)... I'm afraid the farest liberal I can get is probably is roughly as far left as Bono...


where are you from? I could well be able to give you some good stuff to hand out

Oakville, Ontario Canada

[Janus]

I would say only pass out pamphlets in your neighborhood only if you know a good portion of the people will bother looking at them. Thus, local issues would be more suitable over radical leftist ones. But if you do want to pass out the latter, I would probably aim either for downtown or a less wealthy area.

[Question everything]

two main problems, one I don't have a car, so I can't really so to the poorer areas to easily but I'm not in the really rich area either, so if I take up anti-fascist causes, or other liberal causes I might get listened to... but like I said I can't go socialist... yet :ph34r:

[Janus]

two main problems, one I don't have a car
Bus? This is where group connections come in handy. If not, just look to attract/target progressive people of similar age at school,etc.

[Chocobo]

If you live in a wealthy area then I expect you live by some form of supermarket perhaps? Stop&Shop, ACME, K-mart? If so then you can very well use their abuses and such as a reason to set up a desk and hand out pamphlets. Since your dealing with a wealthy area don't use reasons that those with wealth can combat with with their reactionary nonsense, instead, keep your arguments rather unique. Social Justice is much easier to speak of then lets say worker rights in a wealthy area since people cannot tell the similarities easily. If you do something like this you could easily promote some form of political statement. Hell, we don't have to say, "I'm a socialist" to bring about social change now do we? If you do this then, well, focus on the demonstration as well! Those corporations are just as bad! If your willing to try something like this then i'd be glad to help you work on pamphlet ideas.

[Question everything]

If you live in a wealthy area then I expect you live by some form of supermarket perhaps? Stop&Shop, ACME, K-mart? If so then you can very well use their abuses and such as a reason to set up a desk and hand out pamphlets.

there is a small mall in my area. :) but I don't know how the Rent-a-cops (Mall security) would deal with it... :(


Social Justice is much easier to speak of then lets say worker rights in a wealthy area since people cannot tell the similarities easily.

I've been saying that :(


If you do something like this you could easily promote some form of political statement. Hell, we don't have to say, "I'm a socialist" to bring about social change now do we? If you do this then, well, focus on the demonstration as well!

I've said that twice already... if I do go socialist it will be after handing out pamphlets and if leftists begin to take interest, if I don't find many people or just those people who would give a few dollars to charity but don't really give a damn, then I'll stick to liberal as opposed to further leftist causes, or at least tone down my own beliefs... :(


If your willing to try something like this then i'd be glad to help you work on pamphlet ideas.

alright let's get cracking :D


Bus?

I can't really afford it, I'm 15 and my allowance is pretty tight. :(


This is where group connections come in handy.

the closest thing to a leftist community I'm a part of is rev-left :wub: , I'm hoping that I might find sympathizers by pamphleting :)


If not, just look to attract/target progressive people of similar age at school,etc.

I go to a catholic school, some times ppl I talk to don't know what capitalism is... :(

[The Grey Blur]

What you need to do is focus on a particular issue which affects the working-class in your area - unemployment, privatisation, racism, low pay perhaps.

You should then create a leaflet which explains how these things are unjust and how the working class has the power to defeat them.

You should then explain that these problems are not malfunctions but symptoms of our current society, drawing a political conclusion to your economically or socially orientated pamphlet.

You do not need to use phrases such as socialism or capitalism if you are uncomfortable with them, other phrases can be used. "Publicly-owned", "Socially-run", "Equal Society", "Bosses club", "oligarchy", "wealthy minority".

[Chicano Shamrock]

Here's a site that has some leaflets. Check them out.

http://struggle.ws/

[Honggweilo]

I suggest you hand out pamlfets with a organisation/comitee or something having a specific and dedicated cause (of your choice ofcourse). Going by yourself is not advised, union makes us strong!

Here on some tips on political leafletting;

1. positive additude. Be energetic, self-confident, dedicated and bold, but not to pushy. A self-confident person is much more interesting then a sad depressed sob who looks like he is preaching the end of the world.

2. walk up to people, not to fast though, and stretch your arm out to them to show them your material.

3. Prepare short catchy fraises overlapping the content of your material like, "War is terrorism, stop bush" or something. And say these while handing out.

4. Always go in a group, preferable with women, since people will more often take pampflets from women (yes, we live in a male chauvinistic society, use this to your advantage)

5. Choose your area's wisely, like stated in this topic b4, figure out you target groups and find puplic places or areas where your target group tend to go much and leaflet there.

6. Be prepared to explain the content of your material. You can prepare this by making a hypothetical FAQ for your self, thus make it easier to awnser most frequelently asked questions about the topic.

7. Know your legal rights! dont let the man fool you into you are doing something illegal. And if you plan to leaflet illegaly, prepare your actions carefully so you wont get caugth (either by the police or fascists militants).

[Wanted Man]

Very well said. Especially the point of organizing is important. Not many people are going to take "that weird 15-year-old commie kid from around the corner" seriously, no matter how hard you work. So get some comrades of whatever organization is active near you, collaborate on writing a good leaflet(if you don't have one yet) and how and where to distribute it.

Also, when you actually need to face people, some comrades are better at it than others. Think about it. Would you prefer to get a leaflet from them (http://mosnews.com/news/2005/01/31/noconfninety.shtml) or them (http://www.voorwaarts.net/vw/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35&Itemid=50)?

You can hand them out on a busy square, or put them into people's mailboxes. The former means you'll actually have contact with the people you distribute to, which might help if you are a persuasive person. In the latter case, you won't have this advantage, but you can distribute over a very wide area, and you can target them particularly(for example, distributing pamphlets about social housing in an area where cheap houses are up for demolition).

When writing a new leaflet, always think from the point of view of the persons you are going to distribute to. Someone who is seriously getting screwed over by capitalism(threat of unemployment or house being demolished, or whatever) will still not be very impressed by whipping calls for proletarian revolution that sound like they jumped straight out of the 1910s, especially not when such a call is made by a high school kid from a wealthy area. Again, the need to organize shows up here: find someone who can write well to do this sort of stuff.

Also, if you want a laugh, find out what not to do here:

http://www.soviet-empire.com/ussr/viewtopi...light=manifesto (http://www.soviet-empire.com/ussr/viewtopic.php?t=39011&highlight=manifesto)

:lol:

[Question everything]

What you need to do is focus on a particular issue which affects the working-class in your area - unemployment, privatisation, racism, low pay perhaps.

You should then create a leaflet which explains how these things are unjust and how the working class has the power to defeat them.

The working class in my region are well-payed and not likely to really cling to workers solidarity as opposed to social justice.


Here's a site that has some leaflets. Check them out.

http://struggle.ws/

good suggestion but how are pamphlets titled "Combatting racism in Ireland" going to appeal to a Canadian audience? :(


1. positive additude. Be energetic, self-confident, dedicated and bold, but not to pushy. A self-confident person is much more interesting then a sad depressed sob who looks like he is preaching the end of the world.

goes without saying :)


2. walk up to people, not to fast though, and stretch your arm out to them to show them your material.

think I got it


3. Prepare short catchy fraises overlapping the content of your material like, "War is terrorism, stop bush" or something. And say these while handing out.

"Save a Soldier kill a Bush" :lol: I'll try to come up with a better one


4. Always go in a group, preferable with women, since people will more often take pampflets from women (yes, we live in a male chauvinistic society, use this to your advantage)

I don't really have any socialist friends and I doubt any would bother waste there time handing out pamphlets for a cause they don't believe in... :(

5. Choose your area's wisely, like stated in this topic b4, figure out you target groups and find puplic places or areas where your target group tend to go much and leaflet there.

I was thinking either the Mall (pretty small mall) or near the library :unsure:


6. Be prepared to explain the content of your material. You can prepare this by making a hypothetical FAQ for your self, thus make it easier to awnser most frequelently asked questions about the topic.

which is why my friends can't help out... but I'll do a bit of reseach before I distribute the pamphlets, thanks for the advice.


7. Know your legal rights! dont let the man fool you into you are doing something illegal. And if you plan to leaflet illegaly, prepare your actions carefully so you wont get caugth (either by the police or fascists militants).

I don't know any of the by-laws on the subject, but I doubt it is illegal to hand out papers by a door way, I'll look specifics up later


Very well said. Especially the point of organizing is important. Not many people are going to take "that weird 15-year-old commie kid from around the corner" seriously, no matter how hard you work. So get some comrades of whatever organization is active near you, collaborate on writing a good leaflet(if you don't have one yet) and how and where to distribute it

I don't know any comrades in the area... and I'm not some weird 15-year-old commie kid (well I am 15 and socialist but they don't have to know that)


Also, when you actually need to face people, some comrades are better at it than others. Think about it. Would you prefer to get a leaflet from them or them?

Good point lmao :lol:


You can hand them out on a busy square, or put them into people's mailboxes. The former means you'll actually have contact with the people you distribute to, which might help if you are a persuasive person. In the latter case, you won't have this advantage, but you can distribute over a very wide area, and you can target them particularly(for example, distributing pamphlets about social housing in an area where cheap houses are up for demolition).

busy square looks good...


When writing a new leaflet, always think from the point of view of the persons you are going to distribute to. Someone who is seriously getting screwed over by capitalism(threat of unemployment or house being demolished, or whatever) will still not be very impressed by whipping calls for proletarian revolution that sound like they jumped straight out of the 1910s, especially not when such a call is made by a high school kid from a wealthy area. Again, the need to organize shows up here: find someone who can write well to do this sort of stuff.

I set up this thread hoping for links on good pamphlets out there, like Anti-Facism in Canada (I could probably find one on ARA Canada) or important "liberal" issues like wefare, and tax-mismanagement in the gouvernament (new minority gouvernament makes it kinda difficult).


Also, if you want a laugh, find out what not to do here:

http://www.soviet-empire.com/ussr/viewtopi...light=manifesto

SciHobo said it best...


Dear BostonMarxist,

Please switch ideologies to capitalism or facism to do the communist movement the most good. Then distribute pamphlets for those "movements".

Regards,
All other Communists/socialists

[Janus]

I'm hoping that I might find sympathizers by pamphleting
In that case, maybe check out this organizations contact thread to find local groups in your area.

Organizations (http://www.revleft.com/index.php?showtopic=31615)

[Question everything]

I saw that thread... but I'm undervoting age so I don't think I can register with either party, and most of the organisations are in Toronto, and like I said before I don't have much mobility...

[Justin_G]

but I don't know how the Rent-a-cops (Mall security) would deal with it...

Man, you have the right to free speech I would like to see a police officer deny me that.

[Question everything]

I know he couldn't push me out for handing out letters, but they would get pissed of if I set up a whole display without any approval. So they bug me while I'm leftleting I'll be polite but if they try to kick me out...

[Janus]

but I'm undervoting age so I don't think I can register with either party
I would recommend against joining an actual political party or its junior affiliates rather look at the other Marxist or anarchist orgs. If not you can always try to radicalize some liberal or more moderate leftist friends,etc.

[Question everything]

YEa I'm trying to do that, last semester I was talking with a really staunch conservative, he wasn't racist but he stereotyped alot... He was a nice guy and I brought up abit of political debate every one in a while, a couple weeks ago (I hadn't seen him in a while) he walked up to me and said "Communism could work" :D (I haven't seen him since my schedule this semester has messed things up...) he's not exactly a comrade but I'm made a lot of progress, and now I'm talking to a girl in my grade, she did even know what capitalism was, but she is beginning to see things for a more leftist point of view. :)

[Justin_G]

Great your getting to kids at school.

I have some socialist friends and in my Advance Placement US History class I have to say I am rocking the debates and questions policies and what my teacher says mainly about socialism and Debs.

[Wanted Man]

Originally posted by Question [email protected] 01, 2007 01:19 am
I saw that thread... but I'm undervoting age so I don't think I can register with either party, and most of the organisations are in Toronto, and like I said before I don't have much mobility...
Um, what? You don't have to vote or be registered to vote just so you can be politically active. :huh: And as for mobility, surely Canada has buses and trains? I sincerely doubt that there is not a single other communist active within your range.

Have a look at that thread that Janus linked to again: see if you can mail or phone them about their activities in your area, if any. From what I've seen, active non-member sympathizers are often more useful than members who just pay their dues and don't do anything else.

And I know you're not just some dumb 15-year-old kid, because you are obviously sincere. But when you're spreading pamphlets or whatever, it has to actually interest people, unlike the silly thing on Soviet-Empire that I linked(even with perfect spelling, that one would still suck ass for a multitude of reasons).

Getting active and organizing is a lot easier than it seems, but you do have to actually look around a bit. If it's really not possible to do anything effective at all, then that is too bad. But within a few years, you'll have more independence to go where you want, have more money available, and can travel farther, so it goes much more easily. In the meantime, persuading people in your daily environment(people at school, work, etc.) is probably more efficient than standing in a square and trying to convince people with whom you have no connection.

Sorry if I ramble on for a bit, but that is my experience, anyway. I'm 17 now. 2 years ago, I wouldn't have known where to begin. Then I found out that there were actually already people active in my area, and I could suddenly work much more effectively. So all I'm saying is, there's no need to go out all on your own with no experience.

[Question everything]

Um, what? You don't have to vote or be registered to vote just so you can be politically active. And as for mobility, surely Canada has buses and trains?

I got a tight allowance the money I do get I will probably have to spend on buying the paper (for the pamphlets) and other stuff (a CD every once in while). I can still walk around my area, and I'm near a few good locations anyway...


I sincerely doubt that there is not a single other communist active within your range.

there probably is, but I doubt I know Him (/her)


Have a look at that thread that Janus linked to again: see if you can mail or phone them about their activities in your area, if any.

Most of the only had large chapters list (Toronto, Montreal) and if they did have Oakville listed I didn't see it.


And I know you're not just some dumb 15-year-old kid, because you are obviously sincere. But when you're spreading pamphlets or whatever, it has to actually interest people, unlike the silly thing on Soviet-Empire that I linked(even with perfect spelling, that one would still suck ass for a multitude of reasons).

I think I found A good pamphlet elsewhere on the site, I'll attach it...


Getting active and organizing is a lot easier than it seems, but you do have to actually look around a bit. If it's really not possible to do anything effective at all, then that is too bad.

I haven't really looked around yet, but I'm gettnig active, and I'm going to really start looking...


In the meantime, persuading people in your daily environment(people at school, work, etc.) is probably more efficient than standing in a square and trying to convince people with whom you have no connection.

I was thinking either the Mall or the School... I wouldn't be talking to people I know in the Mall, so perhaps I should start out at the school.


Sorry if I ramble on for a bit,

Don't worry I've read longer posts...


2 years ago, I wouldn't have known where to begin.

Good to hear that I'm not the only feeling like I'm in over my head...


Then I found out that there were actually already people active in my area, and I could suddenly work much more effectively.

I'm going to keep looking for lestist organisations


So all I'm saying is, there's no need to go out all on your own with no experience.

I just feel that I have been on this site talking and talking (and doing nothing) and now I just feel like I have to be doing something...

[CNT-FAI]

Isolation does make it hard. Maybe you can create a small "cell" at school & develop some projects. One could be simply setting up a little free service to do odd jobs or other things people need. You can talk to them in the process & maybe offer a leaflet. Shows working people that radicals can be good for something. Leafletting at factory gates can also be effective if allowed altho you may need to be rather thick-skinned for that. Malls around here don';t allow leafletting

[Question everything]

I'm in a catholic school, so there probably aren't any communist except pherhaps a small religious left, and if there are any comrades there then they aren't very organized...

Edit- also how I need to figure out how many copies I should bring, on average how many do you go through?

[CNT-FAI]

You never know, there might be some radicals there...remember Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador & Father Ernesto Cardenal of Nicaragua.

http://1undergroundxtian.wordpress.com/200...r-romero-quote/ (http://1undergroundxtian.wordpress.com/2006/09/12/oscar-romero-quote/)

[Question everything]

Still how many phamplets?

[Janus]

Depends on where and how long you're going to flyer. I would say anywhere between 30-80 maybe.

[RevolutionaryMarxist]

The Problem I see is not getting people to accept the flyer, but getting them to actually read it and not throw it away the second they are out of your eyesight.

[Okocim]

you could always try the "SWP method":

set up stall and scream through a megaphone that you want people to sign your petition/buy the paper/buy the paper/buy the paper ;)

or seeing as there's only one of you, stop people, ask them to sign some petition (against the war, against closure of schools etc), as they're signing talk to them and if they seem interested give them a leaflet. but please, just don't sell them Socialist Worker.

[Question everything]

The Flyer I'm planning to hand out is very simple, I found it on a link through the site. It is a part of the shut the down the warmachine protest, I doubt I know many kids who wouldn't seize the oppertunity to take a day off (plus it's for a good cause). Also my school has a total of about 900 people, and I'd guess about 200 in my grade. So about how many should I print?

[Okocim]

Originally posted by Question [email protected] 03, 2007 11:52 pm
The Flyer I'm planning to hand out is very simple, I found it on a link through the site. It is a part of the shut the down the warmachine protest, I doubt I know many kids who wouldn't seize the oppertunity to take a day off (plus it's for a good cause). Also my school has a total of about 900 people, and I'd guess about 200 in my grade. So about how many should I print?
"print" one
photocopy many

cheaper. ;)


I'd recommend shrinking the flyer to 1/4 A4 so you get 4 on a page and it works out cheaper for you. It's a simple flyer, it doesn't need to be any bigger than that imo.

[Question everything]

Thank you. But I doubt it will be much trouble, I got enough money to buy alot of paper and the cartrage is full...

[Okocim]

ok but still don't hand out A4 flyers - they'll just annoy people.

[Question everything]

A4 flyers? I don't quite understand what you mean

[OneBrickOneVoice]

hand fliers out on the subways people will look at them because they have nothing better to do. Meet up with other socialists and communists in the area.

[Okocim]

^ yup, both sound ideas. Though i think he wants to give them out at his school, that's probably fine too, maybe like the bus stop after school or summat? so people are standing about with little else to do.


Originally posted by Question [email protected] 04, 2007 12:50 am
A4 flyers? I don't quite understand what you mean
A4 = normal paper size. It's too big, it'll piss people off.

I'd go for either A5 (=half A4 size) or else 1/4 A4 (= 4 leaflets on a page).

[Question everything]

Originally posted by [email protected] 04, 2007 12:02 am
hand fliers out on the subways people will look at them because they have nothing better to do. Meet up with other socialists and communists in the area.
You didn't even bother read the forum did you?



A4 = normal paper size. It's too big, it'll piss people off.

I'd go for either A5 (=half A4 size) or else 1/4 A4 (= 4 leaflets on a page).

Accually I think a Full page looks better then 1/4 of a page that was cut (cut marks make it look very unprofessional)

[Question everything]

I got a problem here I was going to hand them out tomarrow but the printer messed up and now though they are still legible, they are no longer in black and white. they look kinda weird and it could be days before we get a new cathrage (Days which I don't have) so should I hand out the ugly pamphlets or try to go to future shop tomarrow?

[Janus]

You've got a week before the event so I don't see why not. Also, just a heads up, but there are going to be protests from 3/17 to 3/20 so make sure that you have the correct date for your city's protest.

[Question everything]

Well March break is coming up, so I can't really wait for too long, and as for local protest there isn't one :( there is a group in Toronto I heard but not Oakville, I has hoping to print off enough to start a small one.

[Question everything]

:( it was a screw up... I couldn't find anywhere to set up, and I am too shy, I'll stick up some of them around the school, then I'll recycle the rest... :( . Thx for the suggestions though

[UndergroundConnexion]

Drawing from personal experience i can say
handing out is not always a necesity, you can also leave some in restaurants, public. transport. Also spread it among friends, who can spread it themselves

[Question everything]

:D today was an awesome day!!! not only did I meet a Comrade (a Trotskyite I believe), and had I thought even a single Leftist in a Catholic school was unlikely... also I took some pamplets (the ones that looked okay) and stuck them up on the walls around the school (including on top of that damn Army recruitment poster...)