what did you do when you started?

K

kellyktel

New member
Been doing detail work for pay now for only a couple of months fixed location out of my workshop. the few detail i have done, people have really liked the results. my problem however is getting more work. right now all i do is pass out flyers with my different package deals to everyone i see and post every where i can. would like feed back

on the different ideas and how you got your business to grow when you first started. any feed back is greatly appreciated. i work 6:00 a.m to 1:00 pm at my regular job, so i could easily do 4-7 hrs detail work most every day, but need the work. please advise.
 
It's been said that a pissed off customer will tell 20, but a happy one will only tell 2. Try to network a little with the customers you have, be honest, let them know you're just starting out and ask if they would send a friend your way. Don't forget to call/email them a thank-you and offer a little upgrade on their next appointment.
 
Depending on where you live, community involvement is good advertising. Most certainly do the follow up and networking. You could offer existing customer a refferal discount as well.
 
Detail family and friends cars for free or cheap to gain experience and take before and after photos. This will help get some of your work out there to be seen. Just make sure the family and friends understand why they are getting the great deal or they will want you to do it again in a few months for the same price. Then, just get out there and network. It takes time for it to start really paying off, but you never know when that one certain customer will come along who has the connections that open the floodgates. I had this happen. A customer took a leap of faith with me on a black garage queen. He was blown away at the results. He is the sort of person who is heavily into cars and has many connections who know that he is one of the most discerning customers. When he sang my praises my business took off.
 
Check out your local Chamber of Commerce, they can help you start networking with other business owners which can give you a good boost. Go to some car shows and hand out some business cards. Learn how to write and submit press releases and email them to all the editors of any local newspapers, magazines, etc. Put an ad on craigslist, although you will mostly get price shoppers. List yourself on all of the online directories like Yahoo, Google Places, yellowpages.com, Yelp, etc.
 
kellyktel said:
Been doing detail work for pay now for only a couple of months fixed location out of my workshop. the few detail i have done, people have really liked the results. my problem however is getting more work. right now all i do is pass out flyers with my different package deals to everyone i see and post every where i can. would like feed back

on the different ideas and how you got your business to grow when you first started. any feed back is greatly appreciated. i work 6:00 a.m to 1:00 pm at my regular job, so i could easily do 4-7 hrs detail work most every day, but need the work. please advise.
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Surprised no one has gave the one word answer for when they first started out in the business!



STARVED!!!!



Grumpy
 
Put out a lot of flyers early on. Really didn't have much for an advertising budget and was raising my two kids on my own. Once I had done about 1000 vehicles, I had enough business due to repeat customers and referrals that I haven't had to do much since.
 
Scottwax said:
Put out a lot of flyers early on. Really didn't have much for an advertising budget and was raising my two kids on my own. Once I had done about 1000 vehicles, I had enough business due to repeat customers and referrals that I haven't had to do much since.
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Im nearing that number and senario, but the clientele are getting bigger and better with more exotics and higher end services need...i.e paint correction vs shampooing carpets!



door to door post cards havent turned into much, 3 calls out of 7000 fliers...blah!

giving business cards on nice car driver windows....blah

networking and working with profile people....WIN! Thats where its at (for private work anyway) = word of mouth!
 
Asking you existing customer for referrals is key. Give them cards to write their own name on to give to people and if you get one of the cards with their name on it back from a new customer, give a discount to your existing customer. Think of it as paying your current customers for advertising. Your current customers are your best form of advertising since they have firsthand experience at the work you do. Getting them to talk about it is what you need to do.
 
Im on the same boat here, I my mobile detailing on thursday and ive only gotten one call and it was from a friend. Ive posted myself on craigslist, backpage, google maps, yellowpages, yahoo locals, and passed out around 500 flyers
 
You're much more likely to get good referrals from local dealerships in my opinion. Take good care of the service writers and service managers and they will tak good care of you.
 
Referrals, referrals, referrals.



As far as who to target I always used to go to open houses and talk to the realtor. Realtors are people who must portray a professional, neat, clean appearance. Wait to talk to them if their are potential buyers present. Then give them a quick sales pitch.



They often have to put their customers in their car. Sell your services based on that to them. Then if they are selling houses to people with higher end cars they can give you a referral.



When i first started I got in good with a realtor who worked for coldwell banker. Not only did I do all 5 agents cars but I got more than a few referrals from him. He is still my customer today and he is on his third car with me.
 
Did you mean you want to start a new small business in your free time?

I found there are many people do a small business on Ebay. You need to spend some time to find a good product and a good supplier at first. You can ask your friend, or search those informatoin online. But pay attention on scammer.

After you prepared those 2 sides, you can try to apply for a store on Ebay or Amazon. Those 2 places are all great for small business.

After you set up your store, you need to advertise your products. Look for a low-cost advertising at first.
 
I remember my first day as a full time detailer. I remember it because I had no vehicles to detail! I was like ***?!?!



I went home, made 20 fliers on my computer, and put on a polo and dress pants. I went to every real estate agency and pitched my pitch.....

"I can work on your vehicle while you're here working. If you get a call and need to leave, I can stop and your vehicle is here for you. Also, remember that this service is tax deductible!"



By the end of the day, I had 12 details. 6 years later, I still detail 7 of those customers and there is no idea just how many they have sent to me.



I still do this once a month on a rainy day. It just simply works.



You have to get out and make it happen.
 
HenryCover said:
Did you mean you want to start a new small business in your free time?

I found there are many people do a small business on Ebay. You need to spend some time to find a good product and a good supplier at first. You can ask your friend, or search those informatoin online. But pay attention on scammer.

After you prepared those 2 sides, you can try to apply for a store on Ebay or Amazon. Those 2 places are all great for small business.

After you set up your store, you need to advertise your products. Look for a low-cost advertising at first.
Click to expand...

..... :wacko:
 
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