Free client gift & info + promo idea

So I've gone ahead and ordered a bunch of 4oz sprayer bottles and a couple of gallons of QD, along with some decent-quality MF towels. I intend to give these to clients when I deliver their freshly-detailed cars, as a bonus/thank-you gift.



My cost is under $4/client, so it's not a huge deal, monetarily.



The other thing I'm planning on doing is writing up a maintenance instruction sheet and putting it all into a plastic bag.



The instructions would include some of the basics of caring for the car, some suggested products and techniques, do's and don'ts, MF care instructions, etc. Basically it will tell them how to care for their cars, making them better-educated detailing consumers. I figure that many, if not most of my clients won't be hiring me for a bi-weekly wash and wax, so it's best for them to do it right if they're going to do it themselves.



Perhaps this could lead into product sales, as well, if I chose to go that route.



I know some folks might consider this a bit against the idea of the business - i.e. don't tell them how to do it because they won't have need for us as detailers. However, I believe that this will only generate MORE business, because it shows that we, as detailers, are more concerned with the care of their cars than making more money off of them.



Perhaps they'll see that there's really too much involved in the proper maintenance of a car's finish and interior and will actually translate to MORE wash/wax customers. I don't know, but I wanted to get some opinions from the pro crew.



The other thought I had was to get a magnetic sign that we could affix to customer cars when we return them - for those who we pick up and drop off. Basically "Freshly detailed by XXX.. call xxx to get your car all spiffed up!" That and a sandwich board for the driveway when we're working on location.



Thanks for any input.
 
i've been supplying customers with with QD and some microfibers for awhile now and they seem to really appreciate it. Gets me more repeat customers and if they keep up with it, makes my job easier in the future. like you said for about 5 bucks a person you can't go wrong.
 
Im in the process of opening a detail shop and I was thinking of doing the same thing. One reason is to boost product sales and another reason is for the added value your providing. No one in my area details and this I believe will set me even further apart from the typical car washes.
 
I'm starting to see a few suppliers that are doing full-color, sublimation dyed mf. Be cool to put a photo of your location or mobile set- up right on the cloth.



3M has been screening mf for a while, but these are the first sublimations I've seen. I wouldn't think it would have any effect of the softness, but it might affect performance. I may order some samples to see.
 
kompressornsc said:
I'm starting to see a few suppliers that are doing full-color, sublimation dyed mf. Be cool to put a photo of your location or mobile set- up right on the cloth.



3M has been screening mf for a while, but these are the first sublimations I've seen. I wouldn't think it would have any effect of the softness, but it might affect performance. I may order some samples to see.



:eek: :cool: keep us updated on that.... that's awesome!



I'm thinking of doing the exact same thing with the sprayers/QD and an MF thing. I think I can just use the same hometex MFs I use during detailing. :D
 
COOL PRINTS MAKES A BUSINESS CARD SIZE DECAL I USE TO PUT IN THE GLOVE BOX OR NEAR THE OIL CHANGE STICKER TO PROMOTE BUSINESS BUT LET ME KNOW WHAT PRODUCT YOU USE IN YOUR PROMOTION AND WHERE YOU PURCHASED THE 40Z BTTLZ
 
PREP said:
COOL PRINTS MAKES A BUSINESS CARD SIZE DECAL I USE TO PUT IN THE GLOVE BOX OR NEAR THE OIL CHANGE STICKER TO PROMOTE BUSINESS BUT LET ME KNOW WHAT PRODUCT YOU USE IN YOUR PROMOTION AND WHERE YOU PURCHASED THE 40Z BTTLZ



How about a link ?
 
kompressornsc said:
I'm starting to see a few suppliers that are doing full-color, sublimation dyed mf. Be cool to put a photo of your location or mobile set- up right on the cloth.



3M has been screening mf for a while, but these are the first sublimations I've seen. I wouldn't think it would have any effect of the softness, but it might affect performance. I may order some samples to see.



Oh Boy! Am Interested!!!

Please keep me in the loop!



Jim
 
PREP said:
COOL PRINTS MAKES A BUSINESS CARD SIZE DECAL I USE TO PUT IN THE GLOVE BOX OR NEAR THE OIL CHANGE STICKER TO PROMOTE BUSINESS BUT LET ME KNOW WHAT PRODUCT YOU USE IN YOUR PROMOTION AND WHERE YOU PURCHASED THE 40Z BTTLZ



I do the same, but I just print mine on 2x4" avery shipping labels and put it in the driver's door jamb. :up
 
Your clients don't have a problem with you sticking something to their door jamb? I was thinking of just leaving a few cards in the car or in the package, that way they've got some to give to their friends...
 
I could see a vinyl sticker like an oil change sticker, but I'd be pissed if someone put a regular sticker in my car. Do many of you guys give discounts for referrals?
 
I'm not yet organized enough to give discounts :)

And I'm with you on the sticky sticker.

A refrigerator magnet is another idea...



Or something else auto-related with your logo/contact info, as long as it's not another piece of junk and it's something that customer would actually use... Kleenex? :)



I like the idea of a printed MF... perhaps for use as a dash duster... I just can't see that being a very affordable option for weekend warriors.
 
animes2k said:
Your clients don't have a problem with you sticking something to their door jamb? I was thinking of just leaving a few cards in the car or in the package, that way they've got some to give to their friends...



I don't see why they would? It can be removed easily. Actually, most of my customers like it; they say it makes it easier to remember my number and makes it so they can show friends who detailed their car even when they don't have my card with them.



I do give them a few cards, and tell them I give a 15% discount on their next service when I get a customer telling me they referred them. :xyxthumbs
 
animes2k said:
I'm not yet organized enough to give discounts :)

Or something else auto-related with your logo/contact info, as long as it's not another piece of junk and it's something that customer would actually use... Kleenex? :)

My "gift" I think is going to be a free pen simply because nobody ever has a pen in their car when they need one and also they'll have a reason to take it away from the car environment into other potential market areas.



If you have a cloth, sure they'll use it, but will then stuff in back in the door pocket and forget about it until they next need it. A pen might end up in the office, being lent to a colleague or even a client and therefore has much more marketing potential behind it. The only thing you have to make sure is that it's a nice pen. I'm not talking a Mont Blanc or anything, but a "disposable" pen that's still nice to use. If it's a piece of junk it'll go straight in the trash and they'll remember you for giving them a $hitty pen, not for the fantastic detail you did on their car. An example is BMW Fahrer-Training in Germany - they gave away free pens and I now actively look for it when I need one because it's nice to write with. With the amount they get made up, I'll doubt it costs them more that $2 per pen.



Also make sure you leave more than one business card so your client can give them out to their friends.



Ben
 
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