Help me out successful pro's...

L

LedZep

New member
Hi all, I am new to this board and would like to become a contributing member. I currently co-own a mobile detailing business in Charlotte, NC which we started just over 6 months ago. We basically started with about $2500, being all we could come up with. We have one truck, nothing special, and good equipment. Through the last 6 months I have learned A LOT about running a business, and how to make money. However, we are still finding ourselves with much more unbooked time than we would like, and the phones not ringing nearly enough. Our prices are very in line, many are higher than us. We have some loyal regulars, and everyone we do work for is impressed, and says they will refer people, although it actually happens much to infrequently. Our main source of advertising is putting flyers in mailboxes when we arent working. This is effective so some extent, however the call to flyer ratio is small. ANY tips and advise from those of you who know would really be appriciated. I am not going to give up on this business, I really love having it and would love to turn it into something I could honestly call successful. Thanks a lot guys.



-Daniel Busbin
 
Hey there. Welcome to Autopia! If you want the 'Contributing Member' status then you have to purchase the Autopia eBook. You can get it by clicking on the STORE link on the top of this page. It is a valuable resource for anyone who does or is learning the art of detailing cars.



The search function is going to be your best friend for awhile. There have been several really recent threads relating to advertising and how we do it. I'd do a search on the word "advertising" and see what you come up with. I know there have to be dozens of threads on it.



Enjoy the forums!
 
2 things:



1) Get listed in the Yellow Pages

2) Don't put flyers in mailboxes. It is highly illegal. Only the US Postal Service and the resident can put anything into a mailbox. Put them on the doors and don't expect more than a few back for every 100.
 
umm... actually scott I did find an alternative to putting things IN mailboxes thats legal and effective. Put it between the red flag and the side of the mailbox. It will stay there relatively well, and I've gotten a few customers this way. Also anyplace I go I have fliers so the cars I see that look like they need detailing and that I would likely want as customers (i.e. vehicles that dont have extreme messes or child seats), I stick a flier under the wiper. Also got a few customers this way.



:up
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
umm... actually scott I did find an alternative to putting things IN mailboxes thats legal and effective. Put it between the red flag and the side of the mailbox. It will stay there relatively well, and I've gotten a few customers this way.

Click to expand...



Hmmmm..... Are you sure about that? I was fairly certain that you can't touch a mailbox with anything but US mail. I mean, if you can be charged with a federal offense from robbing a store that happens to be in a building along with a Post Office, then I'm pretty sure that putting a flyer on a mail box is the same as putting one in the mail box. I wouldn't even put one on the pole holding up the mail box. Those feds can get pretty picky when it comes to fining and prosecuting. I'm going to look into that mail box thing... That would be interesting if it were a loophole somehow.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
umm... actually scott I did find an alternative to putting things IN mailboxes thats legal and effective. Put it between the red flag and the side of the mailbox. It will stay there relatively well, and I've gotten a few customers this way. Also anyplace I go I have fliers so the cars I see that look like they need detailing and that I would likely want as customers (i.e. vehicles that dont have extreme messes or child seats), I stick a flier under the wiper. Also got a few customers this way.



:up
Click to expand...



I guess as long as the flyer is not actually inside the mailbox you would be okay.



Just by putting 1 business cards on an Acura Legend about 7 years ago got me the business of a small family business (they now have 2 Lexus LS400s and a Tahoe that I wash every other week and wax 4 times a year), in addition, they referred me to a very wealthy client (whose 4-5 cars I washed weekly for about 4 years-including an 18 month stretch when I washed them twice a week), and also his daughter and son-in-law whose cars I have been washing weekly and waxing 6 times a year for the last 6 years...who have also referred me to several friends, one whom also has me wash his cars each week.



Just one little card has made me probably around $40,000 over 7 years.
 
As far as the flyers on doors go, I am planning on passing out flyers on Wed. and rather than going door to door and sticking one somewhere, ringing the doorbell and talking with the potential customer. Have any of you tried this and if so what were the results? I am also inclined to try local businesses where traffic of affluent people is commonplace.
 
Scottwax said:
I guess as long as the flyer is not actually inside the mailbox you would be okay.



Just by putting 1 business cards on an Acura Legend about 7 years ago got me the business of a small family business (they now have 2 Lexus LS400s and a Tahoe that I wash every other week and wax 4 times a year), in addition, they referred me to a very wealthy client (whose 4-5 cars I washed weekly for about 4 years-including an 18 month stretch when I washed them twice a week), and also his daughter and son-in-law whose cars I have been washing weekly and waxing 6 times a year for the last 6 years...who have also referred me to several friends, one whom also has me wash his cars each week.



Just one little card has made me probably around $40,000 over 7 years.
Click to expand...



that must be one hell of a business card! where was the acura when you placed the card on it? was that one of your airport missions that have now been covered up:D
 
Scottwax said:
2) Don't put flyers in mailboxes. It is highly illegal. Only the US Postal Service and the resident can put anything into a mailbox. Put them on the doors and don't expect more than a few back for every 100.
Click to expand...



Yeah I know, we found that out :( We actually put them in the newspaper box right below the mailbox. Not as effective, but its MUCH faster to do.
 
F94Ranger said:
As far as the flyers on doors go, I am planning on passing out flyers on Wed. and rather than going door to door and sticking one somewhere, ringing the doorbell and talking with the potential customer. Have any of you tried this and if so what were the results? I am also inclined to try local businesses where traffic of affluent people is commonplace.
Click to expand...



Honestly, all you are going to do is waste a lot of time waiting for people to answer the door and most people would consider listening to your sales pitch as annoying as telemarketers and spam e-mailings. Most people are not home in the daytime anyway. I don't mind a flyer on my door, but I really resent anyone who comes to my door trying to sell me something in person. I have other things to do than stand in the doorway for 5-10 minutes. With a flyer, I can look at it and decide in seconds if it goes into the trash or I save it.



Where you might want to go is golf courses and office complexes and talk to people there.
 
stanger99 said:
that must be one hell of a business card! where was the acura when you placed the card on it? was that one of your airport missions that have now been covered up:D
Click to expand...



It was at my kid's school. I put it on the Acura and two other cars. I once put a card on an Acura NSX and I took care of his cars regularly for quite some time until he started traveling constantly. Now he just gets his (now) Suburban clean a few times a year.
 
Go to a large company and give the HR Manager a bunch of 10% off coupons. Then he'll pass them out, or paper clip them to the employees paychecks.
 
everyone has a different way to conduct business. This is what i found works best for me.



flyers are great, but be sure they are not cheesy looking. The flyers are an extension of your business. If it looks home made then people may tend to go somewhere else.

Have the flyer stand out, be colorful, offer a discount. Use a slogan so they remember you.

tell them what you do on the flyer.



your business cards should be the same. something that is eye catching and shows you are a professional. Don't put too much on the front of the card, keep it short & sweet. You can always have two sided cards made up and list the work you do on the back of the card.



Brochure's - these are better then all the above, but cost more.

They act like a business card and flyer all in one and look great.



website- you can show your work. have customers make appt's and contact you. it can show you are a true profressional

www.nyperfectdetailing.com



Mobile signs. I have a sign that is around 4 1/2 feet tall. I keep it on top of the truck while i am detailing. people driving by will see it and the neighboors will see it. then more people will stop to get some info.



advertise. big or small get your name out there. I advertise with local paper for $175 for 6 months. they print my business card in color and offer 10% if the customer brings in the ad. I do this so i know the advertising is working.



get in with local pizza shops. If they allow you to leave a sign that would be great. I have one in a few shops. It says have your car detailing and get a free large pie. I then made a deal with the shop that they charge me only $5.00 for a pie. The customer always wants something for nothing, and 5.00 wont kill me.

know what you are talking about, customers can tell if you are a fake or not. Be honest with them and upfront.



If you would like to see my flyers, brochures, business cards, etc... send me a email ProNYDetailer@aol.com or if you ever want to talk about more ideas give me a call 917-330-8095 or get me on aim ProNYDetailer.

Good Luck

Brian
 
Hey I live in Hickory NC! Would like to see your rig setup sometime. I would also suggest, to patron the nicer repair shops (mechanics) in your area, offer the manager a free wash for giving out your company info. I also have an agreement with my wholesale lot, to put my card in the delivery paperwork when they sell the vehicle, and this has been effective. Did ya'll loose power? Jason
 
Bumpers Plus said:
Hey I live in Hickory NC! Would like to see your rig setup sometime. I would also suggest, to patron the nicer repair shops (mechanics) in your area, offer the manager a free wash for giving out your company info. I also have an agreement with my wholesale lot, to put my card in the delivery paperwork when they sell the vehicle, and this has been effective. Did ya'll loose power? Jason
Click to expand...



Whenever a customer informs me that they are having their car detailed to sell it, I put a business card in the owner's manual. Yes, I do get calls!:up
 
Are businesses generally receptive to the idea of placing flyers or business cards in their lobby? I have many decent sized office buildings in the area, should I speak with the receptionist at the front desk or to somebody else?
 
F94Ranger said:
Are businesses generally receptive to the idea of placing flyers or business cards in their lobby? I have many decent sized office buildings in the area, should I speak with the receptionist at the front desk or to somebody else?
Click to expand...



It depends. I know that often after I detail someone's car at an office complex, the customer will request more cards for their fellow workers or other people will come up to you and first ask "Do you detail cars" followed by "Really? You actually come out to where the car is?" and after you mentally slap them for asking such dumb questions, you smile and hand them a card.



If you do not have any current customers, you can speak to the receptionist or ask them who you should talk to.
 
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