Suggestions for more business?

Gung ho.. . .to each their own. . market that is. I have more important tasks at hand than to place magnets on peoples vehicles. What I was saying is that it is not worth *my* time for my business to place any promotional materials on peoples vehicles in my area. I have seen no return. No need for a thumbs down or negativity. My opinion, hope you didn't take it personally; this is biz. . . you can't. What I stated wasn't directed at you, *advice for Pontman43.* All that negativity is going to eat you up inside my man.



Happy details.
 
15951 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.
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In marketing lingo the people you're refering to are called opinoin leaders. These are people that other people are likely to seek an opinoin of and will be highly influenced by the opinoin received. For instance if you want an opinoin on a good tooth paste you would likely ask your dentist and hold his opinoin in high esteem. This would be an example of a professional who is an opinoin leader. There are also less formal opinoin leaders. For example, you have a buddy who you know is really into home theater. If you're thinking of buying a TV he is likely someone who's opinoin you would seak. I'm also hearing some other pretty basic customer service techniques in this thread. My suggestion go down to your local higher learning institute and sign up for a marketing class or just go down to the book store and pick up a marketing book. The knowledge you gain will be invaluable.



Also, here's a customer service technique I like to use. I call it "the Scotty Principle." Remember in Star Trek Cptn. Kirk would always call down to Scotty and say "I need warp speed" and Scotty would say "I canna do it capn! It's gonna take at least a week to fix these engines." However, he would always have whatever it was fixed five minutes later. So, what I like to do (and I've done this in various settings) is to stretch my time estimates by a decent amount. This way when I finish earlier the customer (or my boss) is like "Wow! That was fast." Thereby enhancing the customer's satisfaction, because I have exceeded the expectation which I set. Alternatively, if something happens and it ends up taking the full amount of time I have at least met the expectation and therefore not created a negative customer service experience. The only down side is if you stretch it too much you might not get the business because the customer doesn't want to spend that much time waiting.
 
However, he would always have whatever it was fixed five minutes later. So, what I like to do (and I've done this in various settings) is to stretch my time estimates by a decent amount. This way when I finish earlier the customer (or my boss) is like "Wow! That was fast." Thereby enhancing the customer's satisfaction, because I have exceeded the expectation which I set. Alternatively, if something happens and it ends up taking the full amount of time I have at least met the expectation and therefore not created a negative customer service experience. The only down side is if you stretch it too much you might not get the business because the customer doesn't want to spend that much time waiting.
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I used to do work for a lot of homeowners, and i would always try to quote them high, and then knock $400-$1000 bucks off the bill.



It blows their mind when you casually say, it didnt cost that much haha.
 
Mikeman said:
So of the 10,000 cards (magnetic or not) that you have stuck on cars, what percentage generated work?
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all i will say to this is alot. im not getting into percentages as this was over a period of time........and again its also hard to answer due to not asking every new customer WHERE they got my number, on top of all the referels from the cards also.

but yes a very high percentage. :xyxthumbs
 
pssstue said:
I have more important tasks at hand than to place magnets on peoples vehicles. What I was saying is that it is not worth *my* time for my business to place any promotional materials on peoples vehicles in my area. I have seen no return. My opinion, hope you didn't take it personally; Happy details.
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and dont YOU take this personal but..............you must not have read the topic!

the topic here is "suggestions for more business"

:scared:

so what DO u do for more business? :think:
 
Mikeman said:
How do you attach the magnets to standard business cards? Can you buy magnet "sheets" with a sticky side?
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The ones I use aren't in sheets , rather , individually cut in packages of 50 or 100 and self adhesive. They're nice and thick and durable .... and the adhesive is plenty strong.



Like I mentioned earlier , you can find them at Office Depot and the like....I believe I've even seen them at Target.



---------------------------------------



This topic seems to be generating a fair amount of debate , with good points pro or con.

For my part , I'll just say that word of mouth is still the best advertising , but sometimes you gotta do SOMETHING to bring in new clients.

These magnets are as much for current clients or one-timers that may need subtle reminders of your services for repeat business as much as for new business.



Get your name out there by any tactful means necessary and cement your reputation with quality work.
 
Something to think about...



I'm neither yea or nay on the magnetic business card concept for detailers. But...



If you're going to do magnetic business cards, go have them professionally printed instead of using those stick on magnets. It's actually less expensive per piece, but of course, the total price might be higher because of minimum quantities. Here's the reason:



Assuming you're targeting higher end clients, they will see the stick-on card as tacky and unprofessional. They all know you can buy them at the check-out line @ Office Depot. It says "I'm so small I can't afford $100 to get some real magnets printed." I sell hundreds of thousands of magnets a year, never once have I sold the blank stick ons (but have been asked about them, and yes, I do carry them). It conveys a very low-end image to your target. Think about when you get something that has an ink- stamped logo on it, or a sticker with a company's name-it's doesn't jive with being a high-end operation.
 
I did a freebie for my kids day care provider. I spend a FULL day a week there now. I have also picked up neighbors in the area that drive by and see the cars looking nice and me working on them.



Have to remember that they are locked into their jobs both before and beyond normal working hours and don't have time for crowded car washes on the weekends!
 
kompressornsc said:
Something to think about...



I'm neither yea or nay on the magnetic business card concept for detailers. But...



If you're going to do magnetic business cards, go have them professionally printed instead of using those stick on magnets. It's actually less expensive per piece, but of course, the total price might be higher because of minimum quantities. Here's the reason:



Assuming you're targeting higher end clients, they will see the stick-on card as tacky and unprofessional. They all know you can buy them at the check-out line @ Office Depot. It says "I'm so small I can't afford $100 to get some real magnets printed." I sell hundreds of thousands of magnets a year, never once have I sold the blank stick ons (but have been asked about them, and yes, I do carry them). It conveys a very low-end image to your target. Think about when you get something that has an ink- stamped logo on it, or a sticker with a company's name-it's doesn't jive with being a high-end operation.
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This may be true if you're a slob , but.......



I looked around to have them professionally done and wasn't impressed with what I found.

Many of my clients are business owners themselves with high-end vehicles and the profound majority of them like the cards and ask me where I got them done. They're surprised when I tell them I made them. They generally have as many questions about the cards as their vehicle.



Also , with the computer program already set up and in MY possession , I can change the info. on the card ANYTIME I want to ANYTHING I want.

If you change locations , phone # , pricing options , etc. , your card can immediately reflect the change without contracting someone else or waiting for the print run.

Plus you can make as many or as few as you NEED and not get stuck with a gross of cards containing outdated information.



Just some thoughts...........
 
Here are a few suggestions for more business:



1- Talk to at least twenty-five people per day about your detailing service.



2- Let your customers know you appreciate their referrals of friends and family.



3- Send your customers reminder post cards every three months.



4- Design business cards and flyers aimed at specific customer target markets.



5- Create and distribute a detailing newsletter.



6- Place a small advertisement in a weekly shopper newspaper.
 
1,2,6 are my favorites.

although growing up in ft lauderdale and having 10+years of experience there, #6 (advertising in paper) didnt really work at all down there but now that im in tennessee (maybee 20% of ft laud) EVERYBODY here reads the paper so its NOW a good thing so it actually depends on that one.(i think population matters on that one.) i know it kinda sounds wierd but jus my .02
 
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