Hey guys, I am a hobbyist detailer and newbie here. My 9-5 is marketing specifically online. Since the forum has provided me with some great insight and has been an educational experience, here is my chance to give back.
A few ideas to help market you business.
Idea #1-
Direct mail - Post Cards.
1st thing to do is identify a service that makes sense and is desirably (profitably).
Identify a target market...think about your customers who are they and what are they asking for? Why do they seek your service? Are you looking to target professionals that drive Mid-luxury vehicles? BMW, Infinity, Toyota?
Now identify where they live. Each town/city has an area where the target typically lives. Most can easily identify where the "nice" homes are.
You need to do a little leg work, to keep costs down, but start gather residence address - Take a drive through and view a few house numbers in the neighbor hood. Using a tool like an online map (google map may help).
Create a promotion.... you need something a message that strikes a cord... Winter is coming... Protect your car.... or Wanna make your car shine again??? etc etc.. offer an incentive... Call us and Save 10%.
Once you have your list and message, you can either seek a print shop to handle or jump on your computer and create one. You can then have these printed up online or locally. Cost for a 100 or so to start $100.
Print labels from you list on your computer $6.
To mail a 100 post cards 6x4.5 is $24.
Total Aprox; cost $130
I think the magic number is 3 customers for it be profitable and worth your time.
Idea #2 .
This one may take more time or knowledge but there is so much cheap software and services that make it easy.
Start a website an online brochure of your biz. (make sure everything you print send etc has your web site address on it).
Slightly more advanced but easy way to find customers on the net, google adwords. Those little ads on the left hand side of the results page. Google's technology is extremely laser focused.... you can target Cities towns zip codes. Signing up and using the software does have a small learning curve but is relatively painless.
How many people go to their computer and type in their city and the word detail together?? Bid on those key words.... Bids start at $.15. You ad will only show when they type in those terms. You can also set a daily budget so you can throttle your spend.
I did talk to a local detailer, employing this tactic. He had a site and was using adwords. He said his ads had done well and it is generating good business.
Idea#3
This is grass roots and I am sure many all ready do this.... but take some biz cards with you to local car nights. These are people all ready obsessed with their cars. Go and talk with them. Introduce yourself.
Idea#4
Local newspaper advertising isn't as expensive as you think. (Newspapers are looking for advertisers) run a promo.
I guess that is a start....
If you have any specific questions...fire away.
Hopefully I helped at least one person or game them an idea or two.
