Most unusal ideas or ways of marketing that youhave done.

[GothamAuto]

I`ve stated my opinion and said this in other threads many times in the past. I may be different than many car owners but then again maybe not. I think there are quite a few people that might feel the same way I do.

It`s no compliment to me, for anyone and I mean anyone, for any reason to leave a card or flyer on my vehicle. If your standing by my car when I return and want to hand me a card/flyer to introduce yourself and discuss your business I would be happy to talk to you. Seriously, most would think I`m a pretty nice guy. If I caught you leaving a flyer/card on my vehicle you probably would not have the same impression.

It`s just incredibly ballsy in my opinion for someone to think that they can for the benefit of their business place something on my vehicle. I can`t imagine myself thinking I have the right to lay my hands on another persons possessions unless I`ve been given their permission to do so. No matter how good the media or the product I think this is an extremely poor business practice. It is the equivalent of Internet Spam and all too often becomes parking lot liter. I guess it`s evident I`m pretty passionate about this position.

Well, this was a thread for ideas, and this is just one idea. Maybe you are right. It`s hard to just see a car and then wait around for the owner to come out, and I think that just leaving a regular business card doesn`t set you apart from anyone else. Having specific cards JUST for leaving on nice cars shows the owner you at least took the time to make up the card.
As far as internet spam, it`s a little different then that. Internet Spam would be covering an entire parking lot with your card or a coupon.
I can see that you do have a pretty passionate stance on this, so I don`t want to get into a back and forth with you. Again, it`s just an idea. My area is LITTERED with people who call themselves detailers and will go around and flier parking lots on a weekly basis. This way I can show people, "Hey, I don`t want to work on all these cars, I want to work on yours." If it works for some people, great. If it doesn`t work for others, well at least you are one step closer to finding an idea that does.

[GearHead_1]

Well, this was a thread for ideas, and this is just one idea. I understand and appreciate your view point. My comments were simply describing the way some may feel about people who do this. I know it`s very apparent how I feel but that isn`t to suggest everyone should have the same opinion. Maybe you are right. It`s hard to just see a car and then wait around for the owner to come out, yeah, this almost goes without saying it is real work soliciting quality contacts. and I think that just leaving a regular business card doesn`t set you apart from anyone else. Having specific cards JUST for leaving on nice cars shows the owner you at least took the time to make up the card.
As far as internet spam, it`s a little different then that. Internet Spam would be covering an entire parking lot with your card or a coupon. Not necessarily, Spam hits a certain segment of the Internet. Targeted flyers/cards hits a certain portion of the parking lot (in your case nice cars that are worthy of your services). My point was that it was unsolicited marketing to an address, email or in this case vehicle, something that is all mine. That in my opinion is Spam.
I can see that you do have a pretty passionate stance on this, so I don`t want to get into a back and forth with you. Again, it`s just an idea. My area is LITTERED with people who call themselves detailers and will go around and flier parking lots on a weekly basis. This way I can show people, "Hey, I don`t want to work on all these cars, I want to work on yours." If it works for some people, great. If it doesn`t work for others, well at least you are one step closer to finding an idea that does.

I appreciate the fact that we can discuss things that we see from opposite ends of the spectrum in a civil manner. Thanks. It`s what makes DC a great place to be.

[GothamAuto]

I appreciate the fact that we can discuss things that we see from opposite ends of the spectrum in a civil manner. Thanks. It`s what makes DC a great place to be.

[Dtrick.22]

GothamAuto, I think it is a good idea....It will help you get those types of cars by targeting the ones you actually WANT to detail. Most of the time we don`t have a choice what cars we will be detailing but this way you can at least put out an effort to get clients that care about their cars appearance, and will come back over and over again...BUT if you leave a card or flyer on the car, I would suggest putting it on the driver window, not under the windshield wiper. Because I know I would be pissed if I get in my car after walking the mall all day, sit down then realize I have to get back up because somebody stuck one under my windshield wiper....Or I could just turn the wipers on but you get what I`m saying

[GothamAuto]

GothamAuto, I think it is a good idea....It will help you get those types of cars by targeting the ones you actually WANT to detail. Most of the time we don`t have a choice what cars we will be detailing but this way you can at least put out an effort to get clients that care about their cars appearance, and will come back over and over again...BUT if you leave a card or flyer on the car, I would suggest putting it on the driver window, not under the windshield wiper. Because I know I would be pissed if I get in my car after walking the mall all day, sit down then realize I have to get back up because somebody stuck one under my windshield wiper....Or I could just turn the wipers on but you get what I`m saying

Oh, yeah. Absolutely on the driver window. I would never put it under the windshield wiper. It`s easier that way too, you don`t have to actually touch the car, just slide it right in.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Oh, yeah. Absolutely on the driver window. I would never put it under the windshield wiper. It`s easier that way too, you don`t have to actually touch the car, just slide it right in.

Right -- or the other way I`ve seen people do it is to have Post-It style notes printed up so they can just peel and stick it to the drivers` door glass. It can be annoying, but it`s effective.

[Big Leegr]

One thing that I thought was a nice idea and allows a year`s worth of advertising is to have a calendar printed on one side of your business card (with your logo prominently displayed). This way a person can have your calendar card in their purse/wallet for a year, and when Jan. rolls around (and most people in this industry have a lull in business) you may get a few return customers that have gotten used to having the calendar handy and so they "get off their butt" and make another appointment hoping for another card. It doesn`t cost much more for the calendar to be printed on the card and it may keep the card (and your business) more accessible/on people`s minds. (Works better on people that aren`t really into tech gadgets, as the techies have organizers/smart phones etc.)

Of course, this isn`t going to make someone pay for a full detail just for a card, but if you have customers that want to get a wash/wax done, but always seem to put off the call, this may get them calling.

[Concours.John]

One thing that I thought was a nice idea and allows a year`s worth of advertising is to have a calendar printed on one side of your business card (with your logo prominently displayed). This way a person can have your calendar card in their purse/wallet for a year, and when Jan. rolls around (and most people in this industry have a lull in business) you may get a few return customers that have gotten used to having the calendar handy and so they "get off their butt" and make another appointment hoping for another card. It doesn`t cost much more for the calendar to be printed on the card and it may keep the card (and your business) more accessible/on people`s minds. (Works better on people that aren`t really into tech gadgets, as the techies have organizers/smart phones etc.)

Of course, this isn`t going to make someone pay for a full detail just for a card, but if you have customers that want to get a wash/wax done, but always seem to put off the call, this may get them calling.

I`ve been thinking about something along the lines of this. I always try to do a mini photo shoot after for clients.
It was mentioned making a small month to month calendar with general reminders and care tips.

I have permission to use the images and many have said it would be neat to see.
A couple clients alone would make about 5 different calendars.
The key would be having the software so printing would be the only cost.
I wonder????

[Go getta]

Man, I can`t say it enough, but craigslist is an easy and free way to generate customers... Someone already mentioned church, but another place that`s good for advertising is your local barber shop/ hair salon. When I first started out, I practically lived at the barber shop. Man We would run through 20-30 cars a day. wash & wax only, but regardless, we were able to establish a relationship with several repeat customers. Remember this wAs in a LA neighborhood and our barber shop could be compared to country club in others.

Every parade, car show, or big event in you area, be there with your flyers, and make it happen!

[Big Leegr]

I`ve been thinking about something along the lines of this. I always try to do a mini photo shoot after for clients.
It was mentioned making a small month to month calendar with general reminders and care tips.

I have permission to use the images and many have said it would be neat to see.
A couple clients alone would make about 5 different calendars.
The key would be having the software so printing would be the only cost.
I wonder????

Have you given much thought to a "barter" or trade of services? Find a printing shop and offer $$$ in detail work in exchange for so many calenders. Might not cost too much after all, especially if you weren`t in a rush for them and they could print them when they were a little slow.

[Concours.John]

Have you given much thought to a "barter" or trade of services? Find a printing shop and offer $$$ in detail work in exchange for so many calenders. Might not cost too much after all, especially if you weren`t in a rush for them and they could print them when they were a little slow.

I have tried it in the past but as soon as they look through the album of cars they either say I can`t afford you (before a quote) or want more work than it`s worth to me. This could be my fault for not including some of the more mainstream cars I have worked on. This should be more of its own thread though.

Back on topic: I totally agree bartering can be a great way to leverage a marketing budget and should never be overlooked. It just needs to be fair on both ends either on return or initial trade.

[Addicted2Bling]

Lately what I`ve been doing is if I see a nice car that is filthy I`ll go ahead and put a card in their window. The main reason why detailing companies are in business is simply because PEOPLE ARE LAZY. And when I see a nice looking car that just needs a good washing for a good price, I mean, who can refuse an offer like that? They know their car is dirty, and it may piss them off for a few seconds to see that card on their window, but if they have the money and they are lazy I can almost guarentee you or some other detailer will get some kind of business out of them lol

[ExoticAutoDetai]

Something I recently started to do that is a little different. I had some cards printed up specifically for the vehicles I want to work on. The cards read:

"This card was placed on your car because it`s obvious you take pride in it`s appearance. Come in today for a free estimate and 10% off any service"

So it`s not like I am taking the cards and putting them on cars that are all messed up. They go on the high end cars that are already clean. I have only handed out a few as I just got them in recently, but I think it compliments the car`s owner rather then insulting them by saying that their car needs to be detailed.

What do you mean by "cars that are all messed up"? What do you do to a car that is already clean? I mean if is clean I find it hard to beliece what else is there to do. Why go for high end cars and not do any car?

I think if you take a car that needs a real good detail and give it a good turn around people can see your work very well and what things you are capable of doing. I am just saying and trying to understand you here not trying to insult your method so please dont take it in a bad way.

[C. Charles Hahn]

What do you mean by "cars that are all messed up"? What do you do to a car that is already clean? I mean if is clean I find it hard to beliece what else is there to do. Why go for high end cars and not do any car?

Think about it from the viewpoint of a business owner. High end cars that are "clean" aren`t necessarily "detailed" -- if someone with a high end car wants to keep it clean and doesn`t know any better than using a tunnel car wash, he picks up a customer who he can educate as to the advantages of proper care by a detailer as opposed to a car washer. Or perhaps he sees a car and thinks "if someone else is already detailing this ride, maybe I can do an even better job and/or beat the competition on price."

Also, people with high end cars usually tend to have more disposable income. It just makes good sense to target the people who can afford your services instead of wasting your marketing resources trying to pull in customers who can`t buy what you`re trying to sell.

I think if you take a car that needs a real good detail and give it a good turn around people can see your work very well and what things you are capable of doing. I am just saying and trying to understand you here not trying to insult your method so please dont take it in a bad way.

Usually a "good turn around" is going to be much more labor intensive and less profitable than having a vehicle that is already in decent shape and taking it to the next level. Why would you choose to take a client with a trashed minivan that you charge $300 to clean up when you could take on a moderately dirty BMW or Benz and charge $300 to do half as much work in half the time?

You have to think about these kind of things if you`re trying to run a successful business and maximize your profits.

[Addicted2Bling]

^^Plus you`ll be cleaning cars that are already clean