How many freebees to get word of mouth going?

cgc · 09-21-09, 10:40

I've done a search. I may not have searched the best way possible...but I've searched

My question is I am looking to start a side detailing business that I would like to run out of my garage for the time being. If it grows into something bigger, great...if it just helps out with the bills, thats all I can ask for at this point.
I am looking to build up clients from word of mouth. I am planning on offering a few people some free washes with the understanding that if they are satisfied that they recommend me to some people.
Your opinion, how many "freebees" are enough to get some people talking? I don't want to burn up months of weekends doing this for free...but at the same time, I'll do what I gotta do.

Any constructive input would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Chris

Balthazarr · 09-21-09, 12:34

Where located?

cgc · 09-21-09, 12:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Balthazarr

Where located?

Georgia - About 30 min south of Atlanta.
I'm in the "low rent" section of an upper end neighborhood....lol

NotZeroSix · 09-21-09, 01:04

Dont give yourself for free. Just charge at the rate you want and offer at a discounted rate of 10-35%. So lets say you want to do a $125 detailing job but charge the customer $100 or something like that. From there you can recover cost and wont get low-cost expectations. If you gave yourself for free service and word of mouth comes along, people might/would expect free to low-cost service and thats not good.

Also giving people doing it at a low-cost ruins the market, IMO. One thing I hate to do is explain quality. People are so unaware that they criticize cost and ask, "why do you charge $40 for wash and wax when I can go across the street and get it for $10." I facepalm every time.

cgc · 09-21-09, 01:11

Na, I wouldn't want to hurt anyone else's income. I was thinking about offering a couple of people who I know fairly well a good detail (like three people off the top of my head I was thinking about) just to kind of get the word out....

Like I said, I don't want to hamstring anyone....

toyotaguy · 09-21-09, 02:08

its not the number of freebies, its the quality of them...

dont do free junker cars
dont do free car for people of little influence
dont offer free cars to random people

have set people who you think will help spread word...I have hooked up about 5 friends with free work, and given out about 10 $50 full two step details (when I first started detailing) and only one of them to this day has returned the favor with referrals...

Scottwax · 09-21-09, 04:46

Offer up a polish and wax as a door prize for PTA meetings at your local schools.

DetailnByDustn · 09-21-09, 04:55

I would charge full price for all just small discounts on top packages, if your good your rep will spread, you can also offer like a free micro towel when they get a detail

JohnKleven · 09-21-09, 07:14

Even when starting a business, I wouldn't do anything for free for many people. The exceptions would be.

a. used car manager for large dealership
b. Highly influential chairman for car club, or similar.

Good luck with your venture.

John

paintxpert · 09-21-09, 07:22

NO FREEBIES...people need to understand nothing is free !!! If you offer it free then folks think it is WORTH NOTHING! Marketing is the hardest part of any business. Make sure all the work you do is work you can be PROUD of! That always keeps them coming back! Good luck and stick with it. Get some business cars printed up. Offer 10 to 20 percent off a full detail with the card.

adrock2003 · 09-21-09, 08:12

I did about 10 freebies, but received tips for every job I did. The biggest tip I received was $200 for 24 hours of labor on a 1987 Land Rover 110 I did. Click below to see the befores and afters.

HubGarage.com - O.C.Detailing (Adam) Garage

The key is hitting people with HUGE influence. The gentleman who owns that truck heads up a VERY large realty company here in town. Through him, I met a gentleman who used to run a detail supply business out of a truck and he now provides me with free detail supplies in exchange for detailing his trucks since he's seen my work.

There isn't really anyone else in my area who does high-end paint correction, so I didn't cut any tendons, but I'd do it where ever I was, but I'd limit the freebies so as not to cause too much damage. Word of mouth is the best advertisement I've found for myself so far. I actually gave out 300 cards and met a graphic designer who designed me a very nice business card in exchange for fixing his headlights.

I also met a gentleman who runs a Mercedes Benz/BMW repair shop here in town who offered to provide me all the labor I need to fix my own BMW in exchange for detailing 2 of his cars. So freebies do actually bring work.

detailfanatic · 09-21-09, 08:37

When I first started I would find out who the top agent was in every real esatae office near me and try to get him as a client. Once you get the top dog, all the wannabes will follow.