[tpgsr]

Originally posted by Postwood Realtors do things like your first idea all the time. I'm always getting mail from Joe Realtor saying "I just recently sold a home like yours in your neighborhood in less than three weeks." It does let me know who the go-getting realtors are out there.

This is exactly what i was thinking. I might not necessarily want to look like a go getter so to speak, but if you get a post card one day, then another one 2 days later from a different neighbor, then maybe a third, you start thinking that there is something your neighbors are getting that you must be missing out on. Especially if several are doing it. And i have found, and confirmed by talking to several customers that generally people in real high end homes and neighborhoods don't like it when their neighbor has something and they dont. It is like a high class competition.

But I'd mail it. Because when people leave stuff on my door or clipped to my mailbox, that really irks me.

True, very good point I will have to do that.

You might want to check with the car owner to see if you can. I wouldn't lay out the master plan to him, but ask if you can use his car in a flyer you're making.

I tell every owner that i am going to take some pictures, then i ask if i can use them for marketing purposes if i blank out the plates. They have always said yes thus far. They have this sense of pride in owning such a nice clean car when you are done, that I guess they feel obligated to let other people see it.

I don't like the contest idea. Just me. Others may like it.

It is just good market research, people are entering demographic data, and it is really not costing me too much. If anything, i may be able to turn someone who wouldn't have paid for this service in the first place into a regular customer. I have had a very overwhelming response already, and i haven't even started advertising that it is there. I guess just people clicking in through forums, or from google search, or from other things i sponser that are local and have my web address on them.

Postcards of the neighbor's car, but not necessarily before and after (don't want to shame him with the before pic), sounds really good.

Edited to add: Possible phrasing. "The car on the other side of this postcard isn't a show car. It's from your neighborhood. My name is Name Namely and I'm a professional detailer with a client in your area. I still have room for a few more clients. I can do a one time detailing or we can set up a schedule." Just talk to them like you were, well, talking to them. I'd also make sure to have enough of the house in the picture that they can guess who's car it is.

Anyone else have feedback on this, i would almost like people to see the drastic results that are sometimes achieved. I am not sure, it would definatly be easier on me printing wise if i only had one vehicle. I could just print it through shutterfly as a postcard, and have them directly mailed. quick and easy.

Originally posted by mirrorfinishman
How about taking pictures with a digital camera and then emailing them to your customer? That way you will give your customer an easy way to show off your good work by emailing the pictures to their friends and family.

Also a great Idea, Thanks Frank. I ahve most of their e-mails, but i never really use them for anything. :xyzthumbs

If you do this always make sure you've got your contact info included in the email. That way when the customer forwards the pictures to their friends and family they will also get to see your name and be able to contact you directly.

I have never e-mailed you, but i have a nice digital signature, and all of my info included under it. Looks real nice and very professional.

I also offer my customers a Twenty Dollars Off Certificate for every referral they make that becomes a new customer.

I do this too, but i offer $15. Should i include this in the e-mail, or just let them know verbally like i do now, or both. The only reason i wouldn't add it to the e-mail is because if they forward it, their friend or family member might think that they were just trying to get a free $15. What do you think?


Thanks alot for the feedback that you have already given me. All of you folks are an invaluable resource. to autopians

Michael Gleeson