Help getting more business

W

W.S.

New member
I am running a very small detailing company, I'm only 16, and I take pride in the quality over quantities of details I do.



What can I do to get clients? I have handed out quite a few cards and sent out classy mailers to 10 people (most multi-car families). I just can't seem to get much business.



Wade



BTW: it has been a week and no one has called that I sent the flyer to, and no one has called in general
 
Just keep at it. I find for every 100 flyers, you might get 1 or 2 replys. If you want and have the time do some free or deep discount details, but request them to spread the word for you.
 
10 flyers is nothing. Return on mailings is like 2%. If you are going to go the flyer route you are going to need to send out a LOT more than just 10. Word of mouth has been the best way I have seen. And expect about 3 years before you really start to get busy. Don't expect much to happen for a while.
 
Word of mouth and valet guys for me. I give them $20+ per referral. I just ask them to write their name and phone number on the back of the card.
 
Find out where your weekly, local "car meet" is OR car shows in your area. Find your local car clubs. Given your age I would suggest going after the "tuner" crowd (I think they'd relate better to you, and they spend lotsa money on their cars). Find one of the nicest ones and make it SHINE! It becomes your rolling business card (even if you have to do it for free). At car shows - find the guy who took 2nd or 3rd place and turn him into a winner! Do you keep a photo album of your work? Do you have letters of reference from previous customers?
 
PTRon got it... Go to where your customers are. With cards and flyers in hands. Swap meets, Car meets, Show and shines, etc etc etc. Hit up the used car lots to see if they got anything. They'll in turn tell their customers and freinds if you do a good job. You'll be amazed how quickley it snowballs and soon you have more work than you can handle. You can read it on the boards here. Alot of the professional guy have strict clientel and don't take on new customers because they are booked solid. You do a good job and your reputation will speak for you.
 
Jakerooni said:
PTRon got it... Go to where your customers are. With cards and flyers in hands. Swap meets, Car meets, Show and shines, etc etc etc. Hit up the used car lots to see if they got anything. They'll in turn tell their customers and freinds if you do a good job. You'll be amazed how quickley it snowballs and soon you have more work than you can handle. You can read it on the boards here. Alot of the professional guy have strict clientel and don't take on new customers because they are booked solid. You do a good job and your reputation will speak for you.
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You have to be careful at events though because most of them kick out the soliciters. I would get a booth at an event instead of pan handeling.
 
MySpace



At only 16 this seems like a perfect way for you to get your name out there for zero out of pocket expense.



One word of caution: Don't use your personal account to represent your business. Establish an account under a ficticious name and make it look professional. This will be the perfect place to add digital images of your clients vehicles. Make sure you post both before and after shots.
 
craigslist? I get a lot of business from there. Word of mouth as well. It takes time. Took me a year to get my feet off the ground, and they aren't that high off the ground on year 2 either. Keep working at it...
 
You focus on quality over quantity with your cars, but not your advertising. Change that.



If you go to a meet, just take some cards with you. Don't go and put them on cars, or just hand them out randomly. Talk to some people, talk to them about their cars. Point out specific things that you can fix, tell them how, then give them your card.



A card in their hand is one thing, easy to throw away. But if you put a face, a conversation, and some information with that card then they are likely to use it.
 
TexasTB said:
craigslist? I get a lot of business from there. Word of mouth as well. It takes time. Took me a year to get my feet off the ground, and they aren't that high off the ground on year 2 either. Keep working at it...
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Can you PM me what your Craigslist add looks like?
 
I'm 18 and I am actually very curious in this as well. Are you incorporated? Are you planning on becoming incorporated? Also, what do you do for water? Where do you wash the clients' vehicles? Finally, how specialized is the work you are doing?



I am sorry if I am threadjacking, but the reason I am asking is that I am doing a little research on the notion of creating a detailing business and would like to know how feasible it has been for you.
 
azenthusiast said:
I'm 18 and I am actually very curious in this as well. Are you incorporated? Are you planning on becoming incorporated? Also, what do you do for water? Where do you wash the clients' vehicles? Finally, how specialized is the work you are doing?



I am sorry if I am threadjacking, but the reason I am asking is that I am doing a little research on the notion of creating a detailing business and would like to know how feasible it has been for you.
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I am not incorporated, and unless I get many more clients, I don't plan on becomming incorporated.



I do all the details at my Mom's house since she has a 2 car garage. She is generous enough to not make me pay for water & electricity. Again, with many more clients that would change.



We try to meet our client's expectations, plus some. I guess we basically do the "same" thing on most of the cars, but each car is differant. If a client want something special, we are always more than happy to accomidate them. Just good customer service.



So far in 2 full months detailing, I have make back what I spent on products. I guess it really depends on where you are. Being in a small town I offer services that only the top 5-10% of incomes can really afford.



BTW: where are you?



A few questions about craig's list:

There seem to be alot of detailing services listed under auto services on craig's list in my area. How do I stand out and show that I am an Autopian who take pride in every vehicle I detail?



I don't want to get cheap-o's calling me every 2 minutes for a quote. Must I list prices?



Thanks,

Wade
 
W.S. said:
I am not incorporated, and unless I get many more clients, I don't plan on becomming incorporated.



I do all the details at my Mom's house since she has a 2 car garage. She is generous enough to not make me pay for water & electricity. Again, with many more clients that would change.



We try to meet our client's expectations, plus some. I guess we basically do the "same" thing on most of the cars, but each car is differant. If a client want something special, we are always more than happy to accomidate them. Just good customer service.



So far in 2 full months detailing, I have make back what I spent on products. I guess it really depends on where you are. Being in a small town I offer services that only the top 5-10% of incomes can really afford.



BTW: where are you?



A few questions about craig's list:

There seem to be alot of detailing services listed under auto services on craig's list in my area. How do I stand out and show that I am an Autopian who take pride in every vehicle I detail?



I don't want to get cheap-o's calling me every 2 minutes for a quote. Must I list prices?



Thanks,

Wade
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Hey, thanks for the input, I appreciate it. As far as cheap-o's calling every two minutes, every person who calls is a potential customer. What I would do is predetermine how much you will charge, then ask the client what they are looking for and the vehicle they drive. Then give them a rough estimate, but be sure to let them know that it is a rough estimate.



As for me, I live close to an upscale section of Phoenix where I am positive there is a need for a quality mobile detailing service. Although right now I am starting at ASU next week, I have been trying to determine feasbility. I already have about 15 potential customers and know how to reach more.



OH!! Idea for you for advertising. Create trays of business cards and go to different establishments around town and see if they would be kind enough to allow you to place them somewhere to get your business started. Restaurants, bars, golf courses, etc seem like a good idea to me.



Also, do you offer wetsanding?
 
azenthusiast said:
Also, do you offer wetsanding?
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I was wondering about wetsanding... when i asked my dad if i should offer this he said, "daniel if you start trying that out on my cars i will KILL YOU, but if you think you can do it go for it". I am going to go to the rightlook clinic before i try it.
 
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