Going to be writing for a magazine, advice please

EBPcivicsi

EBPcivicsi

GOT PREP?
I worked a deal doing a bit of "free"lance writing for a regional magazine. The coverage is basically the hot rod and motorcycle show scene in this region. I will write monthly articles on detailing and will have all of my contact info printed below the article.



I am a weekend warrior who does at the most 3-4 details per weekend. I only do full details (with an occassional one step). Any ideas as to what I should put in my contact info area? Obviously my email and telephone number, but what about the bio part? I have room for a small paragraph.



Has anyone ever done anything like this? Any advice?



Thanks in advance.
 
Wow! What a great opportunity!



But, I get the impression that you don't REALLY do full details...



Can you promise stain removal from carpet/upholstery?



Can you promise an odor neutral interior?



Will the paint be scratch/swirl free?



Your contact/Bio is irrelevant until you etablish some sort of credibility. which leads us, actually, back to your original question.
 
Perhaps I should have been more clear with my terms. I do multi step details bringing the interior/exterior to their maximum potential, obviously limitied to my knowledge and skill.



I can use the rotary, cyclo, and PC. I have wet sanding experience and try with each detail to be a thorough as possible. I do not have a true extractor, nor an ozone machine or fogger. So I guess I cannot guarantee an odor free interior.



I have been detailing my entire my life, for side money since I was sixteen and old enough to drive. I am by no means a professional and very much respect those who are. I do feel I have adequete experience to produce above average details.



I was hoping that someone had perhaps done something like this and had an idea as to the basic form and layout of the bio. What was good to put in, what should I skip, etc, etc.



Sorry if I gave the idea that I was putting food on the table with detailing. I am just enjoying my hobby and making a little side money while I do it.
 
Perhaps something along these lines (no pun intended)-

I have been detailing for approximately XX years although Iâ€â„¢m not a full-time professional my experience level is well suited to detailing average and above average vehicles. My experience includes remedying paint surface problems by either machine or hand applied wet sanding.



Hope this helps



JonM
 
How about this:



John Q. Public

Enthusiast Detailer with XX years of experience

555-555-5555



That gets the point across without putting anything that may be construed as misleading. Congrats on the writing gig too. I hope it works out well for you.
 
wow !!!! jimmy buffit, lol~~~!



if i were you i'd put up a website to showcase my skills. before/afters are especially good. then add that to the signature, and list your services on the website. honestly, most ppl. dont even realize that cars can be deodorized, etc., so i do not think it is misleading to claim to be a pro w/o an extractor/fogger.
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
Wow! What a great opportunity!



But, I get the impression that you don't REALLY do full details...



Can you promise stain removal from carpet/upholstery?



Can you promise an odor neutral interior?



Will the paint be scratch/swirl free?



Your contact/Bio is irrelevant until you etablish some sort of credibility. which leads us, actually, back to your original question.
Click to expand...
Well, well, the self proclaimed God of detailing has spoken :shocked Sounds if someone is a little jealous of your opportunity huh? You ARE a professional, just not a full time professional. The fact that they asked you to write lends you credibility in their eyes. The fact that you can use a rotary and know how to wetsand puts you far ahead of many. A catchy name, with all the bells and whistles and a huge ego doesn't make you a professional. You can have class and be professional as well. Good luck. :xyxthumbs
 
TDMAN said:
Well, well, the self proclaimed God of detailing has spoken :shocked Sounds if someone is a little jealous of your opportunity huh? You ARE a professional, just not a full time professional. The fact that they asked you to write lends you credibility in their eyes. The fact that you can use a rotary and know how to wetsand puts you far ahead of many. A catchy name, with all the bells and whistles and a huge ego doesn't make you a professional. You can have class and be professional as well. Good luck. :xyxthumbs
Click to expand...



Easy there fella. I don't think Jim intended anything negative by what he was saying. Also, I doubt anyone is "jealous" here. I have been asked to write articles for several of the major trade magazines, been featured on television several times (one for a speed channel pilot in fact) and am a featured speaker at the World Car Care Expo in San Antonio this spring. Does that mean a damn thing in the grand scheme of things? People on this forum need to grow a thicker skin and stop taking themselves so seriously.
 
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I appreciate it!!



I know what Jim is saying, it is all too easy for people to claim to be "professional." I took no offense to his comments. I just don't want to be misleading and call myself a professional. IMO, unless you are putting food on the table via detailing, it is hard to say that you are a professional. It has little to do with skill and more to do with being gainfully employed in your trade.



Anyway, thanks again everyone for your insight.
 
I like what TOGWT said a lot, so I'm going to agree with that and add:



I strive for the best and only use practiced and proven techniques and products. I innovate and use the newest technology in products and do not fall into the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" method of thinking that a lot of bulk shops do. Since I only do this on the side and it's not a primary source of income, I don't really have to fight time and price, so you know that in the end, your vehicle is getting top notch attention.





Something along those lines. Hope this helps.





Congrats BTW!
 
If you have a friend that is in marketing/writing, ask them to help out. A few well placed words, the right sentence structure, etc., can make all the difference in the world. It's kind of like detailing-a professional vs. someone with little or no experience can take the exact same thing (be it a car or a paragraph) and achieve completely different results.
 
People...settle in!



Detailing is a lot like physicians exchanging medical opinions.. one doctor may agree on a diagnosis, but differ in the treatment regimen.



We are all here to share and learn...



[size=huge] Don't forget that![/size]



*We now return you to our regularly scheduled discussion.
 
I agree with gonzo





Now that is said we will both hose anyone down who is going to continue this.



I respect everyone on the forum and I don't want to see bad things happen here.
 
There was no need for this thread to turn ugly. If y'all don't like what Jim had to say, ignore it. Joe didn't take offense, so there is no need for anyone else to.



Joe did state right off the bat he is a weekend warrior, so he isn't trying to mislead anyone. As long as his bio information is as accurate in the magazine as it was in his opening post, he is being quite honest.
 
Scottwax said:
There was no need for this thread to turn ugly. If y'all don't like what Jim had to say, ignore it. Joe didn't take offense, so there is no need for anyone else to.



Joe did state right off the bat he is a weekend warrior, so he isn't trying to mislead anyone. As long as his bio information is as accurate in the magazine as it was in his opening post, he is being quite honest.
Click to expand...



Exactly, I probably shouldn't have said what I said but I have seen GSR do this before and felt I should speak up about it. Everyone has to remember that sometimes it is easy to misconstrue the message in writing because it is worded a certain way. I think most of these arguments wouldn't happen if people were speaking face to face.
 
ShineShop said:
How about this:



John Q. Public

Enthusiast Detailer with XX years of experience

555-555-5555



That gets the point across without putting anything that may be construed as misleading. Congrats on the writing gig too. I hope it works out well for you.
Click to expand...



I think this is great advice. I wouldn't get into anything long winded, it would just make people think it doesn't look as professional and maybe scare some people off.



This way they see the word "Enthusiast" and have your phone number. Still room for some guessing but you'll probably get more calls this way.
 
Gonzo0903 said:
People...settle in!



Detailing is a lot like physicians exchanging medical opinions.. one doctor may agree on a diagnosis, but differ in the treatment regimen.



We are all here to share and learn...



[size=huge] Don't forget that![/size]



*We now return you to our regularly scheduled discussion.
Click to expand...



:xyxthumbs



Wow just came back to this thread and did it go downhill fast..but I've gotta hand it to anyone who can put out a fire with words:up



JonM
 
ShineShop said:
I think most of these arguments wouldn't happen if people were speaking face to face.
Click to expand...





I agree.





Thought about it a bunch last night and the internet really shouldn't phase me this much. I have much larger fish to fry than worrying about an online argument.





Sorry about the thread destruction Joe, I'm taking my comments away.
 
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