help getting customers!!!!! Please tips!

[imported_NJDetail]

hey guys! i have been detailing for awhile. me and my partner have all the necessary equipment! from entire megs detailer line to menzerna etc... we truly do a great job! we have done about 5 cars. however we need customers! any tips? i live on a very wealthy block my neighbor has a lambo and the guy across the street has a continental gt! i put flyers in their mailboxes! nothing so far. i am going to put flyers all down my street! my flyers are full colored on photo paper! however i average one car a week! i need more customers! any tips!!!!

 

[Holden_C04]

Detailing is all about word-of-mouth. It takes time to build a business. Right now, heading into winter, is not a good time to be starting up a detailing business.

 

[imported_slicknickis3]

Detailing is all about word-of-mouth. It takes time to build a business. Right now, heading into winter, is not a good time to be starting up a detailing business.

Why isn't it?? He can use the down time to start creating advertising campaigns, sending out notices to his community that his business will be open for their use as well as prepping vehicles for winter.



I find winter to be a great time to acquire new clients come spring time. Get some contacts and remind them who you are and what you do come spring time.

 

[imported_NJDetail]

not worried about winter because i will wash in 33 degree weather. i like to work out of my home. i have a big garage, with all the necassary halogens!

 

[imported_JoshVette]

That's tough, try to get in with some local car clubs or whatever you can.



Flyers on those kinds of clients doors and mailboxes will probably not work.



No offense, but you say you're really good but yet you don't have any work?? how long have you been doing this for now and what kind of skills and abilities do you offer??



Josh

 

[Todd@RUPES]

I don't want to be a jerk but if you have done 5 cars you have no bussiness touching a Lambo or a Bentley. Everybody wants to leap frog to the top, but you have to earn your way there.



My experience is that guys with these cars (in general) will pay top dollar to have experienced professionals with stellar reputations work on them.

 

[gmblack3]

Its a long road to the top my friend and even harder to stay there.



I would go over and talk to your neighbors in person. Maybe offer to detail one of their other cars/SUVs first. If they like your work, they will consider you for the other cars.

 

[Robb]

Have kids? Offer to giveaway a detail at a school function, that should be some "free" advertising.

 

[Garry Dean]

I agree with Robb. I do a freebe once in a while if someone is scepticle of me because they dont know me. I have also been known to give out a gift certificate or two. Nothing big, Generally I wont give away a paint correction, but general details are easy enough.

 

[imported_rydawg1]

I don't want to be a jerk but if you have done 5 cars you have no bussiness touching a Lambo or a Bentley. Everybody wants to leap frog to the top, but you have to earn your way there.



My experience is that guys with these cars (in general) will pay top dollar to have experienced professionals with stellar reputations work on them.

I totally agree with Todd 100%. If you only have done 5 cars then you still need a lot more experience before you can jump into the big league of automobiles. You need to work your way to the top learning about about different paints, polishes, pads, etc...



If you do great work then word of mouth will travel very fast. I wish you luck and hope to see you succeed.

 

[Eisen Hulk]

I'm still a newbie in every sense of the word...I've been lucky lately getting some high end cars, but I probably did 30 cars before I did my first exotic and I was still nervous. All of my business has been from word of mouth...I don't even have business cards. Haha.

 

[imported_NJDetail]

i c. i need to get more customers. i wasnt planning on doing the bentley or lambo, frankly i wouldnt touch them, i dont need the risk. i just want some normal average cars to do. i think some of you got the wrong idea. i dont wanna get near a car as expensive as those!!!!!

 

[Scottwax]

What car forums do you frequent? I am sure you can post in their detailing forum and help others with their detailing issues-citing your professional experience. You might be suprised at the number of people locally who would be intersted in having you do a detail for them. Just make sure you don't violate forum rules or blatantly spam your business. Go out to golf courses, talk with the manager and see if they'd be interested in having you take care of their customers while they are out on the course. Office complexes can be good too. Just be aware, both places will expect you to carry insurance.



You have to be patient. I had to work a part time job the first year I was detailing to make ends meet. It just takes time to build a business.

 

[Cleaning Fool]

Alot depends on exactly what message you are putting on your flyer. Poor flyer, poor results. If I put out a flyer that says " Joe Blow Detailing, waxing, polishing blah blah blah blah, poor flyer, phone won't ring. You have to put out a flyer that will prompt people to pick up the phone. For example, start your flyer in the form of a question, like "Is your dull, dirty car driving you crazy?" People will read this and then subconsciously answer it. Now this is when you must continue to keep there attention or its trash can time. Give people an offer they can't refuse. Expound on this immediately. For example, "Our thanksgiving special to you, any car we do get the entire interior cleaned for FREE." PS. Any client who books a job by November 28th will get a second car hand washed and waxed for FREE!" Notice Im giving them a deadline to call me, this prompts them to call. Ever see a coupoun without an exp date? Put a guarantee at the bottom of the flyer. For example, Our Guarantee to You: If your not absolutely thrilled and delighted with our work we will refund every dime no questions asked. People who have not done business with you are skeptical, they need reassurance. The guarantee is called risk reversal You calm there fears that you won't do a lousy job. Now some would say your giving away to much work. Well, let me ask you a question, would you rather sit at home or go out and generate some cash flow? When you first start you need to give a little. Go blow them away and next year they will call you back. Never use white paper for a flyer, use pink to start, women like pink. Remember, #1 ask the question, #2 make them an offer they can't refuse and #3 put a deadline on it. #4 put a guarantee of work on the flyer. Then go hand them out in the wealthiest neighborhoods you can find. Go put out 1,000 flyers with this method and I promise your phone will ring. Remember, yes you are giving some work, but maybe the ladies daughter needs her car done next week, maybe the neighbor lady sees you, etc etc etc. You will more than make up for whatever you "give".

 

[Showroom Shine]

Take your time. Learn the correct way to Detail. Word of mouth will also get you clients. I'm always trying to improve,get better and learn more. I did not start with Lambo's or BMW's either. I now have clients with both. Even a couple with Astons. But I worked my way up. Researched the paints,clears, hardnessess,etc.

I talk to many professionals too. Sometime I go to their place of business and just watch and learn. Even though we are in the same business they do not consider me competition. They have stationary fixtures, I'm mobile. I have refered clients to them and they have refered client's to me. We learn from each other. What climate do you live in? If you can detail year round that would be nice. Here in Ohio winters are rough. So my business slows drastically. But with the clients that have heated buildings and ONR. I make it, and make an income. Profit! Be A Professional, Don't do shabby work. Advertise! Go the extra mile to Please your client's. They'll come back. It is easier to keep a client, that to pick up a new one. IMO Have pride in your work. Be curteous, kind. Honesty and integrity will take you along way!

 

[Jean-Claude]

Cold call.

Until you have a reputation I would say do some door-to-door sales. Go to a retail/commercial area and offer your services. Chances are you won't sell much more than a wash. But it gets your name out there and a little cash in your bank account. I will take 40% of something rather than 100% of nothing(if I have nothing else to do).



Make sure to STEER CLEAR OF LOCATIONS THAT HAVE A NO SOLICITING sign. You need to respect that sign.

 

[corrswitch]

Before I got into detailing, I looked around for professional detailers in my area.



I found the following to be effective:



- advertising in commercial areas people frequent like Malls and at events.

Flyers were nice but you have to be able to capture someone's attention in under 2 seconds. For eg. I found a detailer right there in two malls I frequent, very convenient.



-being at car related events, conferences and autoshows. That's where I found some leads.



- being on general car forums, building reputations, providing advice and getting yourself to be known.



- In store ads, I found it surprising to see at a dealershops, mechanic shops and even a gas pit stop having ad to catch my attention.



Just don't leave flyers on people's cars, I found that to be more annoying especially if you propose to improve a car's appearance while risking a scratch on their car.



I hope that gives you a few ideas.

 

[Labster]

Honestly, I would start by doing some family and friends cars. My uncle is a PGA teaching pro and he spread the word to some of his clients after they saw him pull up for lessons in his freshly detailed car. I'm not saying doing them for free but I only charged them basically for the supplies and made a little pocket money on the side. I chalked it up to an advertising expense and word spread. I would try and get in contact with some auto shops as well. I have a few garages that allow me to have my cars in a small lexan box on their counters and also a car audio shop that refers people to me from time to time.

I would definitely make yourself an eye catching business card. I cannot stress enough what compliments I get on my card from people. If you have a professional and presentable card people are less likely to look at it and pitch it the minute you walk away.

 

[Matt_L]

Honestly, I would start by doing some family and friends cars. My uncle is a PGA teaching pro and he spread the word to some of his clients after they saw him pull up for lessons in his freshly detailed car. I'm not saying doing them for free but I only charged them basically for the supplies and made a little pocket money on the side. I chalked it up to an advertising expense and word spread. I would try and get in contact with some auto shops as well. I have a few garages that allow me to have my cars in a small lexan box on their counters and also a car audio shop that refers people to me from time to time.

I would definitely make yourself an eye catching business card. I cannot stress enough what compliments I get on my card from people. If you have a professional and presentable card people are less likely to look at it and pitch it the minute you walk away.

Got a pic of your card we can see? I'm curious.



Also nobody mentioned get a website.



Barter for some initial marketing materials and other things you need whenever possible. I barter quite a bit with other small business owners. it's a win/win!



BTW I'm not in the detailing business but I did work for one 20 years ago.

 

[Barry Theal]

I don't want to be a jerk but if you have done 5 cars you have no bussiness touching a Lambo or a Bentley. Everybody wants to leap frog to the top, but you have to earn your way there.



My experience is that guys with these cars (in general) will pay top dollar to have experienced professionals with stellar reputations work on them.

i completly agree here! nothing said better!!!!!