How Do You Advertise

I am not a professional by any stretch of the imagination. I do this as a hobby/small time side business. In the past 3-4 months, I have detailed almost 20 vehicles, all on the weekends, as I have a full-time job, and every one has been because of word of mouth. It is pretty cool to see how quickly word gets around.
 
Scottwax / DavidB -



Thanks for the insight. It makes sense. I'm on a couple other auto forums (mazda3forums.com and tacomaworld.com) but I post there because I have interest in those vehicles since it's what I own/drive. I guess I would consider myself the resident detailer on both sites. I think I'll start signing up for other boards to see if I can help out with detailing stuff and establish a good rep. elsewhere as well.



Others - How are Google Ads working? CitySearch.com called me last week. He called me a few days later and I explained that I hadn't had time to look at the stuff he emailed me. For about the last week, he's been blowing up my phone about 4-5 times a day but never leaving messages. It's really turning me off of their service since I've already told him I have not had time to look into. Although, if I know others are having success with it, I may still look into it.



As far as my own marketing goes, I have biz cards, flyers that I keep in an info box on a sandwhich board while I'm working. This way, if people stop by, they can grab a flyer. I also set out info cards that they can fill out while I'm working if they'd like me to call them at a later time.



We also send out e-newsletters to customers and non-customers about once a month. We're getting ready to do some direct mail marketing as well. I'm hoping that brings some business because it was not cheap.
 
Mike, Google Adwords works for us. We budget $100/month, so if you search for 'auto detailing Indianapolis' today, the 25th, you won't see our ad (although we show three times on the first page!). But come July first, we'll be at the top of the page.



We're canceling all of the print directories as our contracts expire. We firmly believe that our demographic uses some sort of digital device to search, not a big heavy book!



Try it!



Hey, mail me some cards... we seldom go mobile, so maybe I can send something your way.



Jim
 
Websites are great informational and advertising tools. Not sales tools. I get a lot of traffic to my site and a few calls/emails to ask general questions, but I'd say that 95% of my business comes from either customer referrals or networking WOM.



It's because customer referrals and recommendations are so important that I really try to get my clients to post their testimonials on my site along with a picture of their car.



I also use a Signcade sign when I'm at a client location. I get a lot of attention from folks stopping and asking about my services. The key to closing this type of business is to keep a customer interest form handing. Prospects can simply fill in their names, numbers or email, car type and what type of services the would be interested. Then I start a database of prospects based on neighborhood or other demographics - and it makes it easier to remember all the names. Recognition is important!



I also place branded clings on my regular customers windshields. I've gotten one job so far from someone who spotted a client's car with my branded cling. Ironically they said that they liked my client's car but moreso they liked how the sticker in the window looked "exclusive" and that it made him want to join the club. That made me feel great!



Finally - I have brochures placed in a few local businesses that I use. Barber/salons shops, dry cleaner, one Firestone, one Midas shop. The hair salons are great opportunities, but it's a crowded space. Other low-end detailers often have that real estate sewed up.
 
Jimmy Buffit said:
Mike, Google Adwords works for us. We budget $100/month, so if you search for 'auto detailing Indianapolis' today, the 25th, you won't see our ad (although we show three times on the first page!). But come July first, we'll be at the top of the page.



We're canceling all of the print directories as our contracts expire. We firmly believe that our demographic uses some sort of digital device to search, not a big heavy book!



Try it!



Hey, mail me some cards... we seldom go mobile, so maybe I can send something your way.



Jim
Click to expand...



Thanks for the tips Jim! I am actually going to be in Zionsville today for an hour so I'll swing by and drop off some cards between 9am-10am. Hopefully, you'll see this message before I get there so you're aware that I'll be dropping by. Thanks again!
 
Ive been thinking about starting my own small business, which is why Im here. The chevy dealership I worked at had a rack of business cars up front so I was gonna put some cards there. I know the best advertisement is word of mouth so Im just gonna make sure to do a great job and take no shortcuts when I do mine, so nobody will be disappointed. Id like to put up a little website for pictures but I have no idea how to go about doing that.
 
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