Expanding/Ideas/Marketing

[THESANTINI]

One of my buddies started detailing cars with me this summer and we are good at it, maybe not the best, but we do a damn good job. He’s personality is great and our marketing is good- so we think.
Our marketing has us going door to door but not selling the service just talking the people and telling them about our service if they are interested if not just leaving a flier with them. Often times they have questions and the partner friend of mine is very talkative and he has some charisma.
Regardless of this, next year we would like to have a shop or do something much larger with detailing. I guess a good question would be how to go about this, we are very dedicated and hardworking individuals and we enjoy doing this. This is why I think this will work with the proper direction. So if anyone has any ideas on how to expand a business and what kind of things to look into-etc that would be good.
As always thanks for the posts that always come, and welcome back (forum). WAHOOOOOOOOOOO.

[Aurorav8]

A good start, before you try to expand, is to keep the customers that you have. Return business is going to be your biggest income producer. And in turn you're customers that come back tend to tell their friends.

I guess you should just make sure you have a steady stream of return customers and a good reputation.

Not really a suggestion on growing and expanding, rather a reminder that even when you do expand you have to make sure you keep the customers you already have.

[samiam513]

when there is a parade, go to the fire dept. a week before. Tell them you will detail theri engine for free if they let you put a magnet on the side. They have a shiny truck, you have advertising. I learned this over teh weekend. No magnet, but i am rolling in buisness. While i was donig the truck at the station, i got two jobs alone. Try it. it'll work.

[tyymm]

the best advice i can say is get in good with auto dealerships, if they need a car (or cars) detailed, and they know/trust/like you, you could be in with alot of bussiness

--> same thing with body/paint shops