Autopia Car Detailing Forum Home
Autopia Car Detailing How-To Articles Autopia Car Detailing Product Reviews Autopia Car Detailing Products & Supplies Catalog

Old 03-16-03, 01:55   #1 (permalink)
IT'S MANBEARPIG!!!
 
ajbarnes's Avatar
 
ajbarnes is offline
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philadelphia, P.A.
Posts: 2,231
ajbarnes is on a distinguished road
Question tri-fold brochure advertising?

Hey guys! I'm in the startup phase of my mobile auto detailing business and I'm trying to work up some good advertising and marketing to get it off the ground. I read some posts about tri-fold brochures, and I was wondering if anyone knows if this really works. I never did this before, so please spare me with a lack of know how on this, but does putting brochures on cars (under windshield wipers..I'm assuming) trigger car alarms? I know this method may annoy some people, but what do I have to loose...besides I get to choose which cars I want to service, or should I say my target consumer. I'm trying to do a result generating and inexpensive advertising program to get the ball rolling. Please, any advice? Thanks!
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 02:08   #2 (permalink)
Carnaubaholic
 
HellrotCi's Avatar
 
HellrotCi is offline
Join Date: May 2002
Location: The 'Boro
Posts: 415
HellrotCi is on a distinguished road
People putting flyers on my mail box or my car really makes me . I'm doing a mailing with my flyers. I'm targeting all homes in my area within a certain property value. Will it work? I don't know, but it's better than making people because you messed with their cars.
__________________
'00 BMW 328Ci
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 02:50   #3 (permalink)
IT'S MANBEARPIG!!!
 
ajbarnes's Avatar
 
ajbarnes is offline
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philadelphia, P.A.
Posts: 2,231
ajbarnes is on a distinguished road
thanks for the reply! Maybe I'll give the direct mailing a try? I'm just trying to find a good marketing strategy more so than an advertising strategy since marketing seems to bring in more results. I don't know, maybe I just need to face the music and try my hands at some traditional advertising methods using some good ol' fashioned advertising tricks. I'm not looking for a huge response, I'm just a one man operation for now! I just want a steady flow of customer's to keep me busy and grow my business. Any more suggestions or comments is appreciated. Thanks again!
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 03:03   #4 (permalink)
Resident Ford Man!
 
Intel486's Avatar
 
Intel486 is offline
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Red Stick/Nawlins
Posts: 2,964
Intel486 is on a distinguished road
I'd say just put flyers on people's houses.

It works, it is cheaper than direct mailing, and I don't think too many people get mad when they have flyers on their doors.
__________________
2005 F-150 Reg Cab Flareside 5.4L
Chemical Engineers: More refined than the rest.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 03:36   #5 (permalink)
Carnaubaholic
 
HellrotCi's Avatar
 
HellrotCi is offline
Join Date: May 2002
Location: The 'Boro
Posts: 415
HellrotCi is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally posted by Intel486
....and I don't think too many people get mad when they have flyers on their doors.
The things I don't like about putting hangers on peoples' doors is you have to trespass onto their property to do it and how many people actually use their front door. Most enter their homes through their garages. Something like a flyer may not ever be noticed on a front door, I know I wouldn't notice one on my door.

You can bulk mail a tri-fold for somewhere in the neighborhood of 17 cents a piece. You only need 200 presorted pieces to qualify for bulk mail rates. I'm paying less than 23 cents each to my local printing company which includes the folding, addressing, sorting, the use of their bulk rate permit and delivery to the P.O. That's only $46 max for 200 flyers and money well spent to not have to spend several hours dropping off flyers at peoples' homes.
__________________
'00 BMW 328Ci
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 03:43   #6 (permalink)
IT'S MANBEARPIG!!!
 
ajbarnes's Avatar
 
ajbarnes is offline
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philadelphia, P.A.
Posts: 2,231
ajbarnes is on a distinguished road
thanks for the reply!

That makes alot of sense. I think I will go for mailing out "bulk" to a few zip codes that will probably pull some good results. I have a good idea of which areas are good because I used to work for an exterminating company. Thanks again!
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 03:44   #7 (permalink)
Registered User
 
detailbarn's Avatar
 
detailbarn is offline
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Waterford Works , NJ
Posts: 626
detailbarn is on a distinguished road
As far as the bulk mail those prices are really cheap from what I've seen and don't forget you have to get the mailing list somewhere and they are not cheap at all. I get a better response putting them on the car or mail box , if someone is going to get mad because they recieved a brochure then they're not a customer I want anyway. Just my thoughts.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 03:57   #8 (permalink)
IT'S MANBEARPIG!!!
 
ajbarnes's Avatar
 
ajbarnes is offline
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Philadelphia, P.A.
Posts: 2,231
ajbarnes is on a distinguished road
So many good responses! Don't know which way to choose!:scared I think I might try my hands at all methods and see which one will pull the best results. I like all the ideas...they all sound promising...but I'm dealing with Philadelphians....yikes! Maybe if I have my Philly cheese steak I'll get the perfect idea.
I'll keep everyone posted on which ideas are pulling the best results. Thanks again everyone...lots of great advice!
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 04:01   #9 (permalink)
Resident Ford Man!
 
Intel486's Avatar
 
Intel486 is offline
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Red Stick/Nawlins
Posts: 2,964
Intel486 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally posted by HellrotCi
The things I don't like about putting hangers on peoples' doors is you have to trespass onto their property to do it and how many people actually use their front door. Most enter their homes through their garages. Something like a flyer may not ever be noticed on a front door, I know I wouldn't notice one on my door.

You can bulk mail a tri-fold for somewhere in the neighborhood of 17 cents a piece. You only need 200 presorted pieces to qualify for bulk mail rates. I'm paying less than 23 cents each to my local printing company which includes the folding, addressing, sorting, the use of their bulk rate permit and delivery to the P.O. That's only $46 max for 200 flyers and money well spent to not have to spend several hours dropping off flyers at peoples' homes.
There is a place that hands out flyers here. I'm sure there is one in your area. It is $95 for 1000 to be handed out if I get in with a group of flyers. i.e. there will be a small packet (usually three to four other flyers) put onto someone's door.

For $115 I can have 1000 flyers handed out and I can do a custom hand out. I can pick what streets, I can eliminate apartments, etc. That is only around 11 cents a flyer and I don't have to worry about getting a mailing list, putting the address on the tri-folds, or buying a license to put flyers on doors (one area here you have to have a license to put flyers on doors).

I also don't think it is trespassing to walk to someone's door and stick a flyer on it. Maybe if you were going through a gate or something. I guess all the girlscouts, school children, and mail men who walk to your front door are trespassing too.

People usually use their front door at least once a day. I know I open mine to get the mail and you can usually see something on your door when you drive up.

Direct Mailing probably will be something I'll do in the future but for someone just starting out it is better to hand them out yourself. It is cheaper and more cost effective during a time you might not have a lot of money to spare after you buy equipment, supplies, etc.

In the beginning you probably won't be booked full anyways so go hand out flyers when you aren't working!
__________________
2005 F-150 Reg Cab Flareside 5.4L
Chemical Engineers: More refined than the rest.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 04:23   #10 (permalink)
Carnaubaholic
 
HellrotCi's Avatar
 
HellrotCi is offline
Join Date: May 2002
Location: The 'Boro
Posts: 415
HellrotCi is on a distinguished road
Intel486, all of your points are valid. I guess I just have enough startup money to put a good portion toward advertising and marketing. With my budget I'll be able to target 2200, upper level income, potential customers with home values deep into the 6 figure level. 1% of my target will pay for all my advertising and marketing expenses, which I don't think will be a problem.
__________________
'00 BMW 328Ci
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote

Old 03-16-03, 06:32   #11 (permalink)
Resident Ford Man!
 
Intel486's Avatar
 
Intel486 is offline
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Red Stick/Nawlins
Posts: 2,964
Intel486 is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally posted by HellrotCi
Intel486, all of your points are valid. I guess I just have enough startup money to put a good portion toward advertising and marketing. With my budget I'll be able to target 2200, upper level income, potential customers with home values deep into the 6 figure level. 1% of my target will pay for all my advertising and marketing expenses, which I don't think will be a problem.
That sounds good. It still just seems like a high price to advertise but my target customer's are different than yours so yours could be a better way to go.
__________________
2005 F-150 Reg Cab Flareside 5.4L
Chemical Engineers: More refined than the rest.
 
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
my tri fold brochure! dcswd Professional Detailer General Discussion 1 06-07-04 11:37
Pro Detailer Brochure DavidB Professional Detailer General Discussion 18 05-21-04 08:50
Please critique my Services Brochure RobertM Professional Detailer General Discussion 4 05-20-04 04:08
Brochure Design Ideas? Volvo4Me Professional Detailer General Discussion 8 06-01-02 01:02



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 06:31.


Copyright (c), 1999-2008, Autopia.org - All Rights Reserved

Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.1.0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63