Try some educational journalism. Ask the editors of any local rags if they will publish an educational article on detailing. It will educate people on why detailing is important, how done properly takes much effort and know how, and why detailing, other than production line detailing services, costs money because it is a skilled trade. Diplomaticly explain how the local production line with 8 kids and dirty towels are hurting the car while cleaning it. You don't want to offend other detailers though, so careful on this one. Of course at the end of the article credit your business (with address and number) for the knowledge. I'm about to try this approach in my city - if it works great, if not - no harm.
Suggestions for more business?
- Thread starter pontman43
- Start date
imported_snakey
New member
i did a thing for a while that worked out real well. for every 5 people that gave me a person name, that person got a free full detail... just had to keep track of it all. but that really got me some new business.. i guess that is a referral system.
imported_gusbubba
New member
[quote name='Scottwax']
Normally, I may just put a card on an expensive car every once in a while.
I've done this , too. Except , I apply my card to self-adhesive magnets and put it near the door-handle. (I do this for both current clients and prospective ones).
The thinking is this : a business card usually gets stuffed into a wallet , or worse , a glovebox , etc... and may never be seen again. They're easily lost.
A magnet ,however, is hopefully more prone to end up somewhere more noticeable...i.e. a refrigerator. As people visit the fridge an average 25 times per day (I actually researched this...no kidding) , I figure I'm getting pretty good exposure. REPETITIVE exposure. Keeps my services fresh in their minds. It also serves to gain the attention of their friends when they have company.
When I am at a steady clients' house , I always see my magnets on their fridge and it HAS brought me residual business.
Also , something I do now and then is download a picture I've taken of the customers' freshly detailed car and use it as a background for a magnet just for them --- with a "thank you" on it.
This serves to remind the customer how good their car looked when it was really clean , plus they get a kick out of it.
Also , it shows a penchant for personalized service , which is big with the high-end crowd.
It shows you're willing to take care of them and hopefully eases their friends' apprehension of calling and inquiring about something they probably don't know much about...i.e car care.
(I hope something in this rambling diatribe made sense and is useful to someone else).
Normally, I may just put a card on an expensive car every once in a while.
I've done this , too. Except , I apply my card to self-adhesive magnets and put it near the door-handle. (I do this for both current clients and prospective ones).
The thinking is this : a business card usually gets stuffed into a wallet , or worse , a glovebox , etc... and may never be seen again. They're easily lost.
A magnet ,however, is hopefully more prone to end up somewhere more noticeable...i.e. a refrigerator. As people visit the fridge an average 25 times per day (I actually researched this...no kidding) , I figure I'm getting pretty good exposure. REPETITIVE exposure. Keeps my services fresh in their minds. It also serves to gain the attention of their friends when they have company.
When I am at a steady clients' house , I always see my magnets on their fridge and it HAS brought me residual business.
Also , something I do now and then is download a picture I've taken of the customers' freshly detailed car and use it as a background for a magnet just for them --- with a "thank you" on it.
This serves to remind the customer how good their car looked when it was really clean , plus they get a kick out of it.
Also , it shows a penchant for personalized service , which is big with the high-end crowd.
It shows you're willing to take care of them and hopefully eases their friends' apprehension of calling and inquiring about something they probably don't know much about...i.e car care.
(I hope something in this rambling diatribe made sense and is useful to someone else).
williams22
New member
The magnets sound like a great idea! How much do they cost you to make?
Chris
Chris
imported_gusbubba
New member
You can get bundles of 50 or 100 business card size magnets at Office Depot or the like for $6-12.
I download my own images and print them on average quality photo paper with a software program that does lettering and such.
For the cards that will see time outdoors , I laminate them (about $1 per sheet , which will cover 10 cards).
So , for 50 cards , it's about $15---(magnets ,paper and laminant).
I download my own images and print them on average quality photo paper with a software program that does lettering and such.
For the cards that will see time outdoors , I laminate them (about $1 per sheet , which will cover 10 cards).
So , for 50 cards , it's about $15---(magnets ,paper and laminant).
pontman43
New member
Magnets are a great idea, I never thought about that. Very true! Now that I think about it, all the magnet business cards I have on my fidge we use frequently. I am definitely trying this.
psl car wash
New member
i use magnets for bussiness cards they "stick" around....say u give somebody a card and they put it on a fridge or a fileing cabinet or anything metal......and they leave , get fired, or next shiff or what ever somebody new always sees it there......and the best part is i put them on cars above the door handle on the cars to advertise best way i say!! my friend makes them at rock bottom prices so check him out tell him "shawn" sent you!........
http://www.imprintedmagnets.com/23A126FD-CD42-DDCF-5400C43ECE9CF4A3.cfm?
http://www.imprintedmagnets.com/23A126FD-CD42-DDCF-5400C43ECE9CF4A3.cfm?
imported_ajbarnes
New member
psl car wash said:
Where and how exactly do you put the magnets on cars? Do you mean you put them on the paint above the door handles, or do you stick them in the crevice of the door handle, the slot between the window and the door, etc.?
I've actually done this myself before in the past with regular business cards and post cards by placing them between the window and door. You get a pretty good response rate and not to mention it's great advertising for us because we choose the cars we want to work on. :chuckle: Of course I never stooped down to doing the ever-so-famous cheap color paper flyers stuck under windshield wipers!!
I'm expecting an order of business cards next Monday and besides passing them out to people who are interested with getting one of my services, etc., I'll also get a few hundred and put magnets on them and distribute. This is not just a great advertising idea, but also a powerful marketing strategy as already mentioned!! :2thumbs:
psl car wash
New member
i stick them right to the paint......ive benn using this technic for bout 4 years and have only had one customer complain (crappy car too lol) and ive never had a problem with them staining or marring the paint like the door magnets youd leave on to advertise only long term mounting would harm it......also ajbarnes i dont print/use flyers at all just my magnets......if they wanna know the price they can ask.
imported_gusbubba
New member
psl car wash said:
...exactly.
I give them to friends with their own businesses , for example. Their employees see them , their customers and colleagues, etc...
A good source of referral has been hair and beauty salons.
My fiance' is a nurse for a high profile doctor. I got her to stick the magnets all over his office 'til he finally asked about it. Once I got him , he referred others. (Doctors aren't a bad group to have in your pocket).
Anyone wanting info. on print programs , etc...feel free to PM me ; I'm more than happy to help.
pontman43
New member
Well, my dad works at a steel mill and I asked him to ask around a little and it sounds like he's got about 4 cars that people want done, just dont know when. I think this would be great if I can get him to explain that all the crap that is in the air is damaging to their paint and they should get it properly removed and then protected. There are actually quite a few nice cars there too. These magnets will be great for the office and hey maybe every steel roll. lol Now that I think of it a magnetic business card couldn't be more perfect for a steel mill.
Mikeyc
TheDetailingHandBook.com
Wow! That whole magnet thing is a great idea. I don't know how many times I've taken a business card from some business and then can't find it ten minutes later. When I was in high school I used to do detailing. I actually stooped to putting colored flyers under people's wipers. :shocked Forgive me, I was young. Anyway, I actually got some business once because some guy found one on the ground and called me. :lol
Scottwax said:
When I need a good service, I try to get a recommendation from someone anal about whatever that service is. I found a great local detailer by talking to a guy while I was getting my windows tinted. My recommendation is to make your service known around other automotive related uses, like mechanics, tint places....even car stereo shops. Offer the shop owners or managers a free or reduced price detail and ask for their recommendation. Then promise them the same in return.
I was surprised to read the business card success story. It must be rare, because they become litter whenever I find them on my car. I honestly never even look at the business name.
AMDin93103
I like cheese.
joburnet said:
I had a friend design my site for a couple hundreds (worth in services) and pay $8/month for my hosting. I picked up a new client while I was doing the trade in services and after starting a Google Local Account (free) went into effect, receive at least one call per week, retaining about 2/3 of those. When I expand I will start the AdWords and Click based advertising with the popular local sites.
Flexin said:
Yeah, I pity the fool who affixes anything to my vehicle, permanent or temporary alike. I know this marketing tactic has been discussed here PLENTY in the past. The clients you should be targeting will not care for that sort of action.
IMHO, I don't think you want to discount your services, solicit promos where you offer a minor "add-on" at no charge or blanket lots with your fliers/cards. I even stopped placing a card on peoples drivers window as it seems so impersonal.. dissimilar of the way I run my business.
MY best advice is to put the extra time in now. If you don't have to run off to another appointment, spend the extra hour on the vehicle, no charge. take the time between the in and out to shoot the shat with the client providing they are around. Talk about their car, the conversation will lead somewhere else. Make a connection. Above all, live up to the clients expectations of your advertised services. Word will travel. . and travel. When a client of mine (well, most!) refer me to a friend or co-worker, I inform the referrer that they just won a wash on my tab-- most refuse. They just want their cohorts to have a great looking vehicle, maybe because they are tired of sitting shotgun with stains at their feet and streaky windows!
You have the "luxury" of starting slow, low overhead and limited time (school?) alloted to the profession. This will allow your clientele to manifest itself through expendable means. Use this time to mature your company and techniques. A detailer provides a "service" which in my opinion includes every step of the experience. . . phone call to follow up phone call. Satisfaction must be guaranteed (to an extent
)I am not saying that you are not running your operation in this way, just simply stating the foundation in which my business was built. It has proven to be "successful" but as with anything and anyone, I want more! That is where things get grey and you must get crafty. To restate. . . not a fan of distribution ON vehicles and I am a fan of personal contact with potential clean freaks!
RHTH.
psl car wash
New member
pssstue said:
HAHA!! why u pity the "fool"??? :down you gunna go find em and beat em up?! lol :down
pssstue said:
thats funny i just picked up a guy that owns 3 bimmers by putting a magnet on his ride.......... oh and if it matters the 3 bimmers are all black and all 3 are 2006.
so what you are saying is just your OPINION buddy!. :LOLOL
I wouldn't want a magnet stuck on my car either. I was thinking of sticking regular business cards in the windows (not wipers) of cars I would like to detail. The magnet equipped cards would go to customers AFTER I did their cars.
I have no reservations about sticking my card on a trashed BMW at a doctor's office complex. Heck, to my mind, I'm offering to solve a small problem for the good doctor ( a trashed $50,000 vehicle).
I have no reservations about sticking my card on a trashed BMW at a doctor's office complex. Heck, to my mind, I'm offering to solve a small problem for the good doctor ( a trashed $50,000 vehicle).
psl car wash
New member
Mikeman said:I wouldn't want a magnet stuck on my car either. I was thinking of sticking regular business cards in the windows (not wipers) of cars I would like to detail. The magnet equipped cards would go to customers AFTER I did their cars.
I have no reservations about sticking my card on a trashed BMW at a doctor's office complex. Heck, to my mind, I'm offering to solve a small problem for the good doctor ( a trashed $50,000 vehicle).
well theres no difference with stuffing one (reg card) in there window moulding because if you are a person that is bothered by having a lil magnet card stuck to your door than you are also the type that wouldnt want a "reg card" stuffed in there window.........<<<<jus my .02 on the difference of cards or magnets.....untill you try them u wont know the greatness of them...........ive put out at least 10,000 of them with only 1 complaint (again a crappy car).........they do absolutly no harm. :closed: :dance