Need some input on an idea -

Dylan06SS · 09-26-07, 11:39

For those not familiar with my situation, I am detailing professionally, but only part time. It used to be full time, but with a family, a mortgage, and expensive tastes I was destined to have a "real job"... I just couldn't quit the detailing entirely.

As I only take on a couple of cars a week I don't advertise, all my business is word of mouth and performed out of my home garage. Because the way I generate new business is typically thru referral and members of owners forums I'm on most of the pre-qualifying of the customer is done via e-mail... very rarely in person.

To this end I've been having a problem getting a concise way of showing customers my work. As of now I've simply been gathering a sample of before and after shots relevent to the customers car/condition/expectations and attaching them to the email for them to browse, but lately I've found that a bit cumbersome... I feel like I'm overwhelming people with pictures... which leads me to my idea:

I thought of editing a slideshow/video together, set to some music, that would showcase my work, possibly touch on the products used, and perhaps even break down some of my base pricing. The way I figure I could easily upload this to photobucket or youtube and simply send the person a link for them to view.

Of course a personal webpage would be ideal, but I don't really want to invest the time/effort/money to host a page.

What are your guys thoughts on this? Too impersonal? Too "look at my commercial"?

I have done video editing for a couple of things and have become pretty good (at least in my opinion) with it.

bookeem · 09-26-07, 11:42

u could always put up a page on myspace..free of charge, and it will get the job done..

stiffdogg06 · 09-26-07, 11:47

Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising and best way to showcase your work.

Nothing is better than someone saying to a friend, " Hey look what so and so did! He did an amazing job." They get to see your work as is.

Check out GTA In Detail - Professional Automotive Detailing in the Greater Toronto Area On the front page, I love that little slide show kind of thing he does. I don't know what he is trying to represent with it. But it shows his work in detail and photography amazingly.

- Andrew

Dylan06SS · 09-26-07, 11:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookeem

u could always put up a page on myspace..free of charge, and it will get the job done..

I have not, nor will I ever use myspace for anything... its the furthest thing from professional you can get IMO and a harbor for attention whores, poorly designed pages full of terrible music, and sexual predetors... thats my mini-rant.

Thanks for the suggestion, I just have too many problems with myspace to ever consider it a viable option, plus I'm not looking to BROADCAST this... I was thinking of it more of a link that will be email specifically to the customer, not just out there for everyone to veiw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiffdogg06

Word of mouth is the best kind of advertising and best way to showcase your work.

Nothing is better than someone saying to a friend, " Hey look what so and so did! He did an amazing job." They get to see your work as is.

Check out GTA In Detail - Professional Automotive Detailing in the Greater Toronto Area On the front page, I love that little slide show kind of thing he does. I don't know what he is trying to represent with it. But it shows his work in detail and photography amazingly.

- Andrew

That is an awesome little slideshow... thats kind of what I'm thinking, but obviously stand alone, free of the website. Perhaps with some audio thrown in to keep it interesting.

stiffdogg06 · 09-26-07, 11:59

If you do use music. I would suggest something "everyday" music that everyone can listen too. Not keep it strictly rap/rock/oldies/etc. Like a theme song would be nice I would think.

Dylan06SS · 09-26-07, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by stiffdogg06

If you do use music. I would suggest something "everyday" music that everyone can listen too. Not keep it strictly rap/rock/oldies/etc. Like a theme song would be nice I would think.

Definitely.

MX823 · 09-26-07, 12:22

Creating a site is of course the best way to accomplish showcasing your work and pricing menu, but since it isn't an avenue you want to travel down....

Maybe spend some time and create a brochure..... something simple done in word, you can crop and resize the pics and create a nice 2 page download that you can attach and send along via email. Taking it a step further you can turn that document into a pdf with a tool like primo pdf (Free PDF Converter - create high-quality PDF from any printable file type)

cgage · 09-26-07, 12:27

You can use macromedia captivate to create a flash demo and do all sorts of buttons ets for each process / car.

Dylan06SS · 09-26-07, 01:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by MX823

Creating a site is of course the best way to accomplish showcasing your work and pricing menu, but since it isn't an avenue you want to travel down....

Maybe spend some time and create a brochure..... something simple done in word, you can crop and resize the pics and create a nice 2 page download that you can attach and send along via email. Taking it a step further you can turn that document into a pdf with a tool like primo pdf (Free PDF Converter - create high-quality PDF from any printable file type)

hmmmm... thats a pretty good idea too.

I take it since I'm getting so many alternative suggestions you guys don't like the video slideshow idea?

MX823 · 09-28-07, 10:42

Video slide show is a good idea, but someone who just contacted you may not be ready to sit through a slide show or may not be that committed to go through the process at that point.

A slide show when used on a site is a perfect place, since the visitor has control if they want to view or not. They may first have a few questions and want answers to those questions before they commit further.

Go to google and do a search on: all wheels detailing
check out the site near the top

Now think like a potential customer..... (not a detailer) and see how you walk through the process if your friend just handed you a business card with a web address on it.

just remember if you do a slide show..... someone maybe at work, having music and a limited time / attention span they likely hood of them viewing start to finish is slim.

Feel free to PM if you have questions as the site was one I had done.

Less · 09-28-07, 10:56

Dylan, take a look at my post in this forum. This is exactly the type of research problem I could use to complete my MBA. Check out the post. I need two more research problems related to your business. Then I can get started

Let me know if you're interested

ericfine50 · 09-28-07, 11:32

You could put something together in MS PowerPoint. That way you could tweak it depending on the customer and send it via e-mail.

eric