Decal to Advertise?

[tustah]

I've been thinking about purchasing a decal to place on the rear windshield to advertise for auto detailing, maybe just the business name, e-mail, and phone number all on different lines.



If you do have a decal for your car, have you gained any customers? I figured it's a $10-$15 investment and there's not much to lose.



Other than that, I e-mailed the country club GM right by my place to see if the members are interested in any of my services. I also suggested the possibility of having a raffle, where one person gets a free detail and everyone else gets a discount on their detail.



Might seem like spamming the club, but I'm actually taking a contemporary club management class, and he happens to be one of the professors. I figured it was better than exploiting the neighborhood with flyers.

 

[imported_cj99si]

do it, It's that extra 10%

 

[Scottwax]

Because of a $35 sign on the back of the Celica I used to have that someone saw right around the first of the year in 1994, I make about $300+ a week. The person who saw the sign, his boss, 3 coworkers plus 2 other customers who know of me because I detail those other cars. Every single week.

 

[tustah]

Thanks for the replies. Any recommendations for where to purchase decals? I'm thinking one in the back and a two small ones for the side my car.

 

[imported_cj99si]

Thanks for the replies. Any recommendations for where to purchase decals? I'm thinking one in the back and a two small ones for the side my car.

http://www.autographik.com/



give him a call he has done all of my signs/lettering/brochures. he is very reasonable and has a very good eye for the details! He can have your stuff in the mail way sooner than you think.

 

[imported_Grouse]

It's on my next list of things to do. I have to just find a local sign shop that can do my logo and font.

 

[imported_mirrorfinishman]

Using a decal on your vehicle to advertise your detailing business is just like those little signs that funeral homes use to advertise the name of their business during a funeral. Makes you wonder if they have gained any customers for the $10-$15 investment.

 

[imported_Grouse]

Really it should be viewed as a conversation starter. not as a advertising plan.

 

[tustah]

Really it should be viewed as a conversation starter. not as a advertising plan.

I don't see why it shouldn't be used as an advertising plan. Technically if you're on the road and someone decides to remember your decal, then it is functioning as an advertisement before a conversation starter.

Using a decal on your vehicle to advertise your detailing business is just like those little signs that funeral homes use to advertise the name of their business during a funeral. Makes you wonder if they have gained any customers for the $10-$15 investment.

I can't relate to what you mean here. My mother passed away a year and a day ago, and the funeral home we took services at had none of that.

 

[Five Star]

You need to be careful, some states require you to have commercial license plates, when you put business lettering on them.



I'm just giving you a heads-up, the chances may be slim to get a ticket, but you never know.

 

[imported_cj99si]

Using a decal on your vehicle to advertise your detailing business is just like those little signs that funeral homes use to advertise the name of their business during a funeral. Makes you wonder if they have gained any customers for the $10-$15 investment.

Ive had several people call me after seeing my truck. plus for us mobil detailers its that extra bit of profesionalism. people take you alot more seriously.

 

[Jordan@DD]

Really it should be viewed as a conversation starter. not as a advertising plan.

I believe it works both ways.



Putting your logo/ company name on the side of a car is a form of brand recognition.



There are a few neighborhoods I've targeted with marketing materials. Some houses got 2 flyers over the last 6 months. I received minimal direct business out of them. The funny thing is when they saw my A-board, they instantly recognized my logo. Many of the stopped and talked, resulting in future work. Same thing with wearing the company shirts. Often times at lunch people will say, "Hey, I recognize your name/logo from somewhere". All because of the A-board or flyer. I think the same goes for vehicle advertising.

 

[imported_cj99si]

brand recognition.

You said it.

 

[Envious Eric]

I had a lady pull up next to me the other day and say to me "your truck is a good advertisement for your trade"



at first I was thinking, what the heck is she talking about because she said advertising weird, but then it hit me....she new that I was a detailer because of the stickers on the back windows and my truck is usually really clean.



although I havent received any business from them, I have had a few people ask how much and what not....mainly cheapies....



and I wouldnt put your email on the sticker, just the number and name...maybe a website, but if you give them too much to read, how are they going to find the contact info they want/DRIVE!!!

 

[imported_mirrorfinishman]

Ive had several people call me after seeing my truck. plus for us mobil detailers its that extra bit of profesionalism. people take you alot more seriously.

So you think it adds an extra bit of professionalism and people take you a lot more seriously? How so?

 

[imported_cj99si]

So you think it adds an extra bit of professionalism and people take you a lot more seriously? How so?

Ive gotten alot of very good feed back(and many referals) from people whos house's Ive showed up to and them not knowing what to expect. They are very happy to see a nice truck lettered up(not much) and me with a polo shirt with my buisiness name on it.. I dont know how you dont think it helps.... Do you think it hurts? And like I said before ive had people call me after seeing my truck.

 

[AdrianStewart]

a clean work vehicle would be the first thing I check ... show up in a ratty dirty mobile detailing rig, I'll tell you to get lost.

 

[imported_CDTGaticaW201]

Just to throw in my opinion as a consumer...Seeing a clean truck/vehicle that sported the markings of the company would definitely give a heightened sense of professionalism. It conveys that the detailer means business and knows what he's doing. IMO, The key to selling any product or service is always in its presentation.

 

[imported_mirrorfinishman]

As long as you think decal advertising adds a bit of professionalism, that is really all that matters. It is basically up to you to go out there and create whatever image you want for your detailing business. An image that should be based on the way you want your business to be positioned in the marketplace.



Some detailing business owners look at all of their advertising from their own prospective. Just look at most of the replies boasting 'good responses' from lettered decals and 'lots of money made' from a sign on the back of a car. The fact of the matter is, this has very little to do with how the customer views your detailing business. The image that prospective customers have of your business. All it says is that it works for you and that is all that matters. Well, that is not what advertising a business is all about.



Your advertising and marketing strategies should be focused on meeting the needs of the customer. Let's face it, hanging a sign on your car is not the best thing going, when it comes to trying to create an overall top quality professional image in the marketplace. Sure you might get lucky, but any smart business person will quickly realize that it is a shortsighted, self serving, make quick money approach to advertising.



The way you advertise and market your detailing business should be a planned out approach that is completely based on looking at everything from the viewpoint of the prospective customer. It should have everything to do with how your service benefits the customer. You are not selling lemonade. Therefore, your advertising needs to communicate your professional message along with a professional image, to prospective customers. It is up to you to figure out the various ways you intend to connect on a professional level with prospective customers.



Hanging a sign on your personal vehicle or using decals to advertise your business does nothing to promote the benefits prospective customers will enjoy when they use your service.



When you consider the seven basic components of a good advertisement, the only thing hanging a sign on your car or using decals does is; 1) Stop the prospect. That type of advertising DOES NOT; 2) Hold the prospect, 3) Create buying desire, 4) Prove the price is right, 5) Prove it is a value, 6) Make it easy to take action, 7) Give the prospect reasons to take action now.

 

[imported_cj99si]

Theres a good chance your over thinking this because your as stubborn as me and dont want to have said something wrong. Its as simple as this "brand recognition" when your starting out you need to get your name out there anyway you can. your right though your work is what really matters. Some of us arent as established as you therefore we need to do alittle extra. Trust me I dont want to have stuff on my truck. At this point in the game Its necessary, and seems to be working. Im not saying its the end all be all its just that extra 1%. I will say my A frame gets me a bunch of buisiness period though.