Being creative

derek37

derek37

New member
Here's an idea dor you-
I own a Mobile Detailing biz and being that it's been somewhat slow lately I thought I'd drive thru some high scale neighborhoods today. As I was driving this idea came to me and this is what I did: I stopped at the first house where there was some folks outside and said to them: "Hi I was wondering if you knew where the Harvey house was?" Now I made this up on the spur of the moment. I didn't know any Harveys and neither did they. I proceded to tell them what I do and needed to give the Harveys a quote on their BMW. They thought it was really cool that someone would come to their house to wash and/or detail their car. Long story short I ended up quoting their vehicle(2000 Sebring) and I'll be going back tomorrow to do a full detail!
Boy that got me excited!
So when things are slow it's time to get creative in your marketing and promotion. This idea worked out well and I'll definitly be doing more of same. This is putting me in the neighborhoods that I want to be in.
Any other creative ideas out there?
 
Good for you. Maybe leave a flyer here or there on a car, in a mailbox. May want to check local laws before doing it, some restrictions may apply. Just call and find out, may just need to let the local law you are in the neighborhood. :)

Also, maybe I would have taken an MF w/some quick detail product and showed those people a little before and after too :)
 
Once I get a stinking name for my biz I'm going crazy on biz cards since my friend has hookups. All I need is a box full of em and just start throwing them everywhere I go :lol Actually I think talking to my friends and asking them if the design is good is a great idea.
 
jason rawls said:
What are you going to do when you make up a name and they say: "Sure, they live right next door to us!" :doh
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Worse than that the says "yes, this is it what can I do for you?" :lmfao
 
jaybs95 said:
Worse than that the says "yes, this is it what can I do for you?" :lmfao
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Really wouldn't be a problem. I would just tell them "I'm here to give you a quote on your car." The obviously would say "Well we didn't call you." Then I would apologize and say "Sorry my mistake I must have the wrong neighborhood. Is this your phone #?" Blah Blah Blah.
It's still making me visible in their neighborhood and making the neighbors aware that someone is out there offering folks this type of service.
It's all good.
 
derek37 said:
Here's an idea dor you-
Now I made this up on the spur of the moment. I didn't know any Harveys and neither did they.
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Hmmm.... not sure the end justifies the means. Little and white though it may be, isn't it still a lie? Should your new customer find out that you deceived them in order to pick up their business, their respect and trust for you is???
 
I thinks its creative and shows some drive to succeed on your part. The only way that you would be really decieving those people is if you did a terrible job on the Sebring or overcharged them. If the people did find out wouldn't they think " that guys pretty creative , he got our business."

I do know some car salesman that should be ashamed of themselves though.

On the other hand you could say that you're in the neighborhood and introducing yourself to people . Pass out some business cards and strike up conversation. No white lies there with same outcome.
 
GearHead_1 said:
Hmmm.... not sure the end justifies the means. Little and white though it may be, isn't it still a lie? Should your new customer find out that you deceived them in order to pick up their business, their respect and trust for you is???
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How would they find out?? Yes it is little and it may be white but I don't see it causing a issue. I'd be surprised that anyone tells 100% of the truth 100% of the time. If someone exaggerates isn't that, in essence, a lie? I think most, if not all people, wouldn't think twice about whether there was "Harvey" or not. And if they did, "I'm sorry, my mistake. Must be in the wrong neighborhood. Sorry to bother you."
When I went this house I checked the name on the mailbox first just to make sure this wasn't the "Harveys."
I believe the end does justify the means. After all I did get the job, they were very happy and their neighbor is getting their car done next Tuesday.
By the way they never asked if I ever found the "Harveys."
 
Hawaiianelement said:
I thinks its creative and shows some drive to succeed on your part. The only way that you would be really decieving those people is if you did a terrible job on the Sebring or overcharged them. If the people did find out wouldn't they think " that guys pretty creative , he got our business."

I do know some car salesman that should be ashamed of themselves though.

On the other hand you could say that you're in the neighborhood and introducing yourself to people . Pass out some business cards and strike up conversation. No white lies there with same outcome.
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I agree about car salesmen. I can't see how people could live with themselves with things they say or promise. My previous career was in sales (not auto sales) and my boss wanted me to tell clients (friends) things I just didn't agree with to get their signature on the dotted line. Nope can't do it; here's my two week notice.
As far as passing out cards, I think we've all done that with not as much a return as we would like. With this idea I figured people would think that "Heck, if my neighbor is getting it done I better get it done also." Kind of that whole "Keeping up with Jones'" type of thing. I surely don't promise anything I don't feel I can do. I'm really amazed at how many people come up and talk and ask for cards when I'm doing a job but don't call. Even when they say "Wow that looks great. I really need my car done." I should try to set an appointment right then and there. Maybe even give a discount if they set it up right now.
 
derek37 said:
I agree about car salesmen. I can't see how people could live with themselves with things they say or promise. My previous career was in sales (not auto sales) and my boss wanted me to tell clients (friends) things I just didn't agree with to get their signature on the dotted line. Nope can't do it; here's my two week notice.
As far as passing out cards, I think we've all done that with not as much a return as we would like. With this idea I figured people would think that "Heck, if my neighbor is getting it done I better get it done also." Kind of that whole "Keeping up with Jones'" type of thing. I surely don't promise anything I don't feel I can do. I'm really amazed at how many people come up and talk and ask for cards when I'm doing a job but don't call. Even when they say "Wow that looks great. I really need my car done." I should try to set an appointment right then and there. Maybe even give a discount if they set it up right now.
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But isn't this an example of why the ends don't justify the means? :) However, I think you could easily tweak this a bit so that there is no deceit at all. No offense intended in the least. I think you showed tremendous creativity and I am certain you could tweak this just a bit as I said so there would be no decpetion whatsoever. Don't stop yourself short. :) ( yep, meant to say "stop" and not "sell") :)
 
keeotee said:
Don't stop yourself short. :) ( yep, meant to say "stop" and not "sell") :)
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I like that. Thanks everybody. All your replies are certainly appreciated and respected. Here's something else I thought of. I've been picking my son up at school 1-2 days a week lately and it seems like half the city picks up their kids after school. I'm gonna get there early one day and pass out cards,coupons,flyers to all the parents that pull up. Most of them are just waiting for the kids anyway. I already do 2 staff members cars and I will ask them who I would need to speak to about this. I would presume the principal but I might be directed to the school board. BUT if they say "no", I still am getting my name out there in the public and making them aware of this service. I know it's all about educating the masses. I've had more than once, folks in office lots tell "What no way, how can you do that?" I think schools are an untapped area. For their staff and service vehicles. You could also approach as an incentive award for the staff or employees.
 
good idea derek, most people with kids that I know don't have time to even wash there car the way they want. keep brainstorming , and like the other member wrote you can tweek it so there's no deception at all.

My new idea is to raffle off a full-detail at work. or maybe that and a wash and some wax or something. I could even go as far as a complete wash kit . A promotional write -off . I might be able to break even if I'm lucky but I'll be taping into people that won't pay 150/200 bucks but will buy $5 worth off tickets in hope of getting some work done on their car.

If the person wins a gift certificate for my services they might want it to be a regular thing and not to mention all the neighbors looking out their windows.

when they buy tickets I'll give them a price sheet also , so if they don't win they might still call for some work..sorry for my long post.I get excited with new ideas for my " hobby."
 
Here's another idea, buy a truck like mine and put a magnet mount sign on the side, then drive through those neighborhoods, Sitting shiney on 35" tires and loud as heck, everyone stares at it, same results!! :naughty

My only problem is the weather has turned and I do not have a place to detail at, I am out of business now pretty much for the next 6 months other than a few dealerships here and there that really aren't worth my time or supplies. So to say my truck is for sale is accurate, I have to settle my mothers estate and medical bills, I started early this year and have been fairly busy, but lately everyone wants me to do their cars, but I am SOL, no place to do them and can't justify a $3k a month rent fee to make 2K gross.........If anyone in New England area is interested it is in the Want Advetiser........I won't list pictures and prices becuase I do not want to conflict any seller policy rules
 
Hawaiianelement said:
My new idea is to raffle off a full-detail at work. or maybe that and a wash and some wax or something. I could even go as far as a complete wash kit . A promotional write -off . I might be able to break even if I'm lucky but I'll be taping into people that won't pay 150/200 bucks but will buy $5 worth off tickets in hope of getting some work done on their car.
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:yeah
Hawiianelement, you could even offer that as something for a local organization (you might even be able to write it off on your taxes) :D

"J"
 
kimwallace said:
A great business is built on trust.
Trust is built on integrity.
"Integrity is who you are when nobody is looking"
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What Kim said! :bigups :bigups :bigups

(Most important thing in your life and only you can give it way)
 
kimwallace said:
A great business is built on trust.
Trust is built on integrity.
"Integrity is who you are when nobody is looking"
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Yeah, that's the message I was trying to convey.


Something about trading a birthright for a mess of pottage. I read that somewhere, now I wonder where that was?
 
Hawaiianelement said:
If the person wins a gift certificate for my services they might want it to be a regular thing and not to mention all the neighbors looking out their windows.
"
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The Raffle idea is a good one. I'll have to work that in somehow somewhere.

Another thing I've done is after doing a full detail, I've gone back the following week to wash and QD the clients car for free. Not only does that put me back in the same lot for two weeks but hopefully planting the idea of the convenience of the weekly or bi-weekly maintenence service. When I first sell the detail I inform them that it includes one free wash the following week and I don't raise the price of the detail to pay for this. It truly is a freebie. I was able to sell a few of these extended services so far; not as many as I would like but a few is better than none.
Just wait until next year. It should be alot of fun.
 
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