Most unusal ideas or ways of marketing that youhave done.

**snosh** · 11-28-2010, 11:13 AM

What is the most usal thing you have done in terms of marketing your business or what unusal ideas do you guys have. Everyone talks about websites or flyers and business cards but I was curious about unusal ways to market like in the movie I love you man where tevin a real estate broker put his face on urnel cakes to get noticed. Just made wonder lol.

**tuscarora dave** · 11-28-2010, 12:19 PM

I haven`t done this but your post made me think of it. You could have a case of toilet paper printed up with your business info on it and go to a few high end restaurants and replace their TP with yours.

**snosh** · 11-28-2010, 12:31 PM

lol I was just using that as in example because it wierd but it worked in the movie if that even matters lol but yea just just unusual ways to catch people eys...like doing those car wraps on your car so its like a huge billboard for your business. or buying a box of hersey bars and putting your own label around the Hershey packaging and giving them away for free or getting some golf balls with your logo and contact info on it and giving some out at the golf course or hiring teenagers to go around town all day and pass out flyers and business cards

**MDerleth** · 11-28-2010, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by snosh

lol hiring teenagers to go around town all day and pass out flyers and business cards

Going to be a good thread, but I`d avoid this one like the plague. Takes a LOT of supervision to insure the teens look good representing your business and do what they are supposed to.

More important...door hangers and flyers if they don`t get tossed by the teen will get tossed by the homeowner. When was the last time you looked at something hanging on your door?

Finally...if you were thinking of sticking things under wiper blades at the mall, don`t. The better care someone takes of their car, (the kind of client you want), the more this pi$$es them off.

**GearHead_1** · 11-28-2010, 02:47 PM

Passing out flyers in and of itself is not a bad thing. In fact it can be a good thing if you are the person doing it and you have the chance to meet the person and shake their hand, leave them with material. Where it gets to be a very bad thing is when people leave unsolicited materials on windshields or door knobs. This in my opinion has a very negative connotation to it.

**C. Charles Hahn** · 11-28-2010, 03:56 PM

Originally Posted by tuscarora dave

I haven`t done this but your post made me think of it. You could have a case of toilet paper printed up with your business info on it and go to a few high end restaurants and replace their TP with yours.

I don`t know about that..... you might get your business associated with sh!tty service that way...

Sorry, couldn`t resist

How about donating a free detail or a gift certificate toward services to a charity auction/raffle? Gets your name out there, brings in a customer that you can convert into a repeat visitor, and helps the community all in one shot!

**Dtrick.22** · 11-28-2010, 06:48 PM

Yes raffle off a free detail.....I have donated a few detailings to people`s Jack and Jill party, which works well. I also had somebody purchase a detail to raffle off at a party, which I sold for a ridiculous low price of $30, and the person who won never called...so I made a free $30 doing nothing at all. That is generally the case, people who win them never call because they lose the certificate and it works out wonderfully for me. Other people that didn`t win it end up calling and I make a bunch of new customers so it is a win win.....But when you are giving away free details like that, make sure it isn`t something that is going to kill you. I usually just do a quick one step on the outside and vacuum the inside, clean the windows and wipe the dash. That way I`m not really losing much money at all

**atkinsonair** · 11-28-2010, 06:57 PM

Have you ever seen those advertisment trucks that ride around? Church is another good place to get work, and it couldnt hurt to be there either.

**mrclean81** · 11-28-2010, 09:07 PM

Its funny that I just stated on Facebook today that this spring I was going to be doing an online raffle for Facebook friends. Great minds think alike

Along with using Facebook to do the work for me, Im also doing the wrap on my trailer, gift cards, and anything else I can think of to get my name back out there.

**tuscarora dave** · 11-29-2010, 01:58 AM

Originally Posted by tuscarora dave

I haven`t done this but your post made me think of it. You could have a case of toilet paper printed up with your business info on it and go to a few high end restaurants and replace their TP with yours.

I was just joking here.

**GothamAuto** · 12-07-2010, 03:22 PM

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.

**GearHead_1** · 12-07-2010, 04:08 PM

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.

**Concours.John** · 12-07-2010, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by GearHead_1

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.

I do agree ALL of my work has been generated by one on one conversations. A card is exchanged only if there is further interest. Sometimes people are looking for some kind of etiquette before being approached.

**paintjobpro22** · 12-07-2010, 07:40 PM

those who do paint/body work should just crash into peoples cars they`d like to work on...then say, "im glad we met by accident"

**Concours.John** · 12-13-2010, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by paintjobpro22

those who do paint/body work should just crash into peoples cars they`d like to work on...then say, "im glad we met by accident"

That`s funny. However my PDR guy used to leave his card that had a car diagram where he could mark where dents were on cars needing attention. It worked till a guy came to his place (home) threatening him saying he put the dents there.