Advertising on Craigslist???

**longms** · 10-25-2009, 08:52 PM

Has anyone used craigslist succesfully? I am really just trying to find some weekend jobs. Are there any tips people would have on putting up an ad on craigslist?

**Barry Theal** · 10-25-2009, 09:28 PM

I have used it in the past. I have had success with it. I got a lot of quick cheap clean up jobs off it. I made some good money from there. I need to do another add now that I think about it!

**imported_Jakerooni** · 10-25-2009, 09:50 PM

I used it with some degree of success as well. Basically I blasted all the hacks advertising on there and then tossed up some before and after pics on the ad to cement in the point. I got the bmw 545i and the vette off my CL listings

**unleashedfury** · 10-25-2009, 10:02 PM

^^^ Take Jakerooni`s advice post why you are better than the hacks that are on their offering full details for 60 bucks.

Put some before and after pics. Show your nice shiny ride if you have to.

People will pay the premium if you can easily justify it.

OTOH CL is free.advertisement. And what do you have to lose?

**EcoAutoCT** · 10-26-2009, 06:15 AM

Put some effort into the design/layout of your ad, include some images and before/afters- this will help distance yourself from the two sentence posters and add a great deal of professionalism.

Treat it like a page on your own website, rather than just a listing on Craigslist. Make a decent ad once and you can repost it weekly with less than a minute invested on a site that gets crawled very quickly by search engines. Win/Win.

**Dan** · 10-26-2009, 08:09 AM

Agree with the other posts with the before and after pics, maybe even say something to the effect of "I fix the damage the $99 detailer does." That might make some people think twice about the hacks.

**longms** · 10-28-2009, 01:00 AM

Perfect. Thanks guys. I am working on drafting up something to put up on craigslist. What contact info should I make available? Should I start a new email specifically for detailing jobs? What do you suggest?

**imported_Jakerooni** · 10-28-2009, 08:39 AM

if you have a website put that in. Otherwise let CL give you an annomynous email linked to youre regular email. (it`s an option when posting)

**tssdetailing** · 10-28-2009, 11:15 AM

DON`T FORGET INCENTIVES!!!! everyone wants to feel "special" so if you say "mention this ad and get X% off" then you`ll be able to track the effectiveness of it.

**tssdetailing** · 10-28-2009, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by yakky

Agree with the other posts with the before and after pics, maybe even say something to the effect of "I fix the damage the $99 detailer does." That might make some people think twice about the hacks.

LOL I`m really tight with the owner of a service shop who says "I love firestone-they send me a lot of business when I have to fix their mistakes"

**longms** · 10-28-2009, 08:26 PM

Don`t have a website yet...I would not say that I have a detail business yet...trying to detail more cars than mine, my families and some friends cars...And if I can make some money that won"t hurt either...

So lets see here:

1) Define why I am not another hack

2) Show some before and afters

3) Come up with incentive ideas (only problem is that I don`t really have a website and don`t have set packages with prices yet)

4) Be very informative and professional in the ad

**H.E.D** · 10-28-2009, 08:32 PM

And remember craigslist is for people looking for a bargain so dont scare them away with the $500 paint correction most of these people in my case just want a real clean interior with a one step polish on the outside.

**vtec92civic** · 10-28-2009, 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by H.E.D

And remember craigslist is for people looking for a bargain so dont scare them away with the $500 paint correction most of these people in my case just want a real clean interior with a one step polish on the outside.

what are you folks:

using (product wise) & charging

for one steppers

what do you folks include as far as the detail goes? just trying to get things in order for the new year which will be here soon.

I`m actually trying to change my business structure so it would be neat to hear from different people.

**DT08** · 10-29-2009, 08:11 AM

I used craigslist in my area over the summer. I just posted ads for simple services such as a hand wash, hand wash and wax, and interior cleaning. It kept me busy! Many of the ppl were focused on the price so I just offered those services and once I did their car I would leave a flier with them to let them know other services that I offer.

**tssdetailing** · 10-29-2009, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by vtec92civic

what are you folks:

using (product wise) & charging

for one steppers

what do you folks include as far as the detail goes? just trying to get things in order for the new year which will be here soon.

I`m actually trying to change my business structure so it would be neat to hear from different people.

with out sounding like a douche-you should really start a new thread-that could come up with a LOT of responses