Getting the Word Out..........

M

Maligno

Quality not Quantity
To the pros here,
How did you get the word out when you first started? I haven't truly gone lagit yet. I got into detailing 4-5 years ago, got out and now came back. I don't want to go all the way until I get the feeling it may work. I had an initial rush of customers then it tapered off. I was just looking for input from people who had been where I am. Thanks

Mal
 
Maligno said:
To the pros here,
How did you get the word out when you first started? I haven't truly gone lagit yet. I got into detailing 4-5 years ago, got out and now came back. I don't want to go all the way until I get the feeling it may work. I had an initial rush of customers then it tapered off. I was just looking for input from people who had been where I am. Thanks

Mal
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Word of mouth has been my best thing. Maybe you can think about referal programs where they get 5% off for every customer you get from them. Make you you word it so that it is 5% off per visit. That way you don't get someone that referred 10 people and wants 50% off. LOL
 
Word of mouth has been the only way that has worked for me. I have been in marketing / sales for about 30 years and yet to find a better way to get the biz. I have offered discounts to customers for referals and that has not worked for me but then it might work for others.
 
welcome back Mal. Its been said here a couple of times that alot of people travel in the same circles. I found this to be true . I detailed my policeman freinds' car and got alot of referrals . Same w/ my fireman friend. And once my own co-workers found out I was detailing it seemed like everybody wanted it done. And these are people that don't even wash there cars let alone wax!!

It seems to me that once people hear about someone detailing cars they automatically perk up and ask questions .So you need to get the word out around your area. make up some price sheets and flyers . Advertising on my vehicle gets alot of responses.
 
If your not ready to go all the way with your detailing then your fine in what your doing now it also takes TIME to build a good client base. Be true to your craft and everything else will come in time. This website can help you also www.score.org
 
Mal, I just started running a lottery for a full service detail. I plan on doing 1 at the end of ech month. I contacted several local merchants who were gracious enough to allow me to set up small entry boxes in there establisments along with a nice poster, a stack of business cards and contestant entry forms outling the contest rules. Each month I will go to these locations collect the forms and choose a winner here is the kicker you must look at my web page to see if you are the winner. This way my web site is getting a little exposure to. I could use some ideas on what to do with non winners?
 
tooklean said:
Mal, I just started running a lottery for a full service detail. I plan on doing 1 at the end of ech month. I contacted several local merchants who were gracious enough to allow me to set up small entry boxes in there establisments along with a nice poster, a stack of business cards and contestant entry forms outling the contest rules. Each month I will go to these locations collect the forms and choose a winner here is the kicker you must look at my web page to see if you are the winner. This way my web site is getting a little exposure to. I could use some ideas on what to do with non winners?
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WOW , very good idea. And it takes balls to go out and try and get your boxes and poster set up...Right on tooklean.. :)
 
I could use some ideas on what to do with non winners?
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Why not give a lot of them a personal call telling them sorry they didn't win but try again next month for the freebie, but offer them a discount as a "potential new client" or something along those lines.Be sure they know it is not an ALL the time discount though;) They are obviously at least a LITTLE bit interested if they are filling it out, even if it is for something free. Im just shooting from the hip here so if anybody has anything to make this thought better have at it.
 
I agree. If they are interested enough to fill out a card, then give them a call. Should be short and something along the lines of getting to meet them face to face. maybe a free evaluation, or a discount for "first timers". Great idea to do what you are doing.
 
Hawaiianelement said:
WOW , very good idea. And it takes balls to go out and try and get your boxes and poster set up...Right on tooklean.. :)
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Those entry forms are a great resource for future marketing. Enter them into your customer database and send email or snailmail (regular mail) coupons for special promotion.
 
dannys415 said:
Those entry forms are a great resource for future marketing. Enter them into your customer database and send email or snailmail (regular mail) coupons for special promotion.
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Exactly. You should take the entry forms for the non-winners and send them some sort of e-mail / snailmail with a small discount coupon (10% will do). And a nice "sorry you were not a winner, but here is a coupon for you.. Try again next month.." you get what i mean i assume. Very good idea. I may have to attempt to try this one.


On topic. I purchased 10,000 flyers full color front and back from KAR printing for $350. I then spread them all over town. I started getting phone calls, and hits to the web, and booking business. I gave all of those customers 5 "refferal cards" (business cards with a 10% discount to a friend, and a $20 Gift Certificate back to the customer for everyone they refer). And I sent out post cards to the neighborhoods of all of my customers. If you want to see any of my promotional media, shoot me an e-mail mgleeson@diamonddetailing.biz, and i will send you any form, card, ad etc.... Anything that a detailer could ever need, I have it!
 
I've only been in business for the last part of this year and next year is where I should really see results. But word of mouth right now seems to be the most popular way of getting new business to come in. Or like the other day I was out detailing my Moms car and her neighbor came out to shoot the breeze. Well within five minutes I just gained 3 and possibly 4 (25th year remake of the mustang limited edition stick shift) vehicles to take care of.
 
tooklean said:
I could use some ideas on what to do with non winners?
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I would call each and every one of the individuals who entered your contest. They are obviously interested in getting their car detailed! Apologize to them for having not won this months contest. Then immediately offer them an appointment for service at a special discounted price.

This is how you get the contest to work for you! Without calling each person who entered, all you accomplished with your promo was to get your company name and url exposed slightly.

SC~ who finally made his first post!
 
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