help getting customers!!!!! Please tips!

NJDetail · 11-03-08, 08:29

hey guys! i have been detailing for awhile. me and my partner have all the necessary equipment! from entire megs detailer line to menzerna etc... we truly do a great job! we have done about 5 cars. however we need customers! any tips? i live on a very wealthy block my neighbor has a lambo and the guy across the street has a continental gt! i put flyers in their mailboxes! nothing so far. i am going to put flyers all down my street! my flyers are full colored on photo paper! however i average one car a week! i need more customers! any tips!!!!

Holden_C04 · 11-03-08, 08:39

Detailing is all about word-of-mouth. It takes time to build a business. Right now, heading into winter, is not a good time to be starting up a detailing business.

slicknickis3 · 11-03-08, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holden_C04

Detailing is all about word-of-mouth. It takes time to build a business. Right now, heading into winter, is not a good time to be starting up a detailing business.

Why isn't it?? He can use the down time to start creating advertising campaigns, sending out notices to his community that his business will be open for their use as well as prepping vehicles for winter.

I find winter to be a great time to acquire new clients come spring time. Get some contacts and remind them who you are and what you do come spring time.

NJDetail · 11-03-08, 08:51

not worried about winter because i will wash in 33 degree weather. i like to work out of my home. i have a big garage, with all the necassary halogens!

JoshVette · 11-03-08, 09:20

That's tough, try to get in with some local car clubs or whatever you can.

Flyers on those kinds of clients doors and mailboxes will probably not work.

No offense, but you say you're really good but yet you don't have any work?? how long have you been doing this for now and what kind of skills and abilities do you offer??

Josh

TH0001 · 11-04-08, 02:53

I don't want to be a jerk but if you have done 5 cars you have no bussiness touching a Lambo or a Bentley. Everybody wants to leap frog to the top, but you have to earn your way there.

My experience is that guys with these cars (in general) will pay top dollar to have experienced professionals with stellar reputations work on them.

gmblack3a · 11-04-08, 04:13

Its a long road to the top my friend and even harder to stay there.

I would go over and talk to your neighbors in person. Maybe offer to detail one of their other cars/SUVs first. If they like your work, they will consider you for the other cars.

Robb · 11-04-08, 05:17

Have kids? Offer to giveaway a detail at a school function, that should be some "free" advertising.

Premium · 11-04-08, 05:26

I agree with Robb. I do a freebe once in a while if someone is scepticle of me because they dont know me. I have also been known to give out a gift certificate or two. Nothing big, Generally I wont give away a paint correction, but general details are easy enough.

rydawg · 11-04-08, 06:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by TH0001

I don't want to be a jerk but if you have done 5 cars you have no bussiness touching a Lambo or a Bentley. Everybody wants to leap frog to the top, but you have to earn your way there.

My experience is that guys with these cars (in general) will pay top dollar to have experienced professionals with stellar reputations work on them.

I totally agree with Todd 100%. If you only have done 5 cars then you still need a lot more experience before you can jump into the big league of automobiles. You need to work your way to the top learning about about different paints, polishes, pads, etc...

If you do great work then word of mouth will travel very fast. I wish you luck and hope to see you succeed.

EisenHulk · 11-04-08, 07:02

I'm still a newbie in every sense of the word...I've been lucky lately getting some high end cars, but I probably did 30 cars before I did my first exotic and I was still nervous. All of my business has been from word of mouth...I don't even have business cards. Haha.

NJDetail · 11-04-08, 09:41

i c. i need to get more customers. i wasnt planning on doing the bentley or lambo, frankly i wouldnt touch them, i dont need the risk. i just want some normal average cars to do. i think some of you got the wrong idea. i dont wanna get near a car as expensive as those!!!!!