rachael said:It has been my experience that face to face contact yields more new business. However, I realize knocking on doors is a slow, intimidating, and possibly dangerous process.
If you prefer to pass something out to the neighborhood, you may need to spend a few more $$ and upgrade from the flyer/bag/rock combo. I agree with the earlier suggestions for door hangers. But, I would affix a full color business card magnet onto the hanger. (BizCard magnets are fairly cheap to have printed (around 25cents per unit if you order 500 or more)). You could pass them out with your flyer/doorhanger. Supply your printshop with an attractive image for your business card magnet. Perhaps use an image of a shiny Viper, Vette, etc. along with a small text overlay of your name & phone. Since its basically a magnet of a cool car, I think alot of men might be inclined to stick it onto the frig, or onto their tool box.
Marketing strategists all stress the importance of repeat exposure, before a purchase is ultimately made. If your magnets end up on alot of refrigerators, your going to get plenty of subliminal exposure.
If you passed out 500 flyers with magnets, and 15% of the magnets get used, and 20% of those eventually called you, that would net 15 new customers (500 x .20 x .15 = 15) --My Geeky Quant Analysis ; )
Assuming your magnet costs were $125 plus your door hanger costs another $40, and assuming $100 for your time. Total investment of $265 is easily mitigated by just a couple of new customers.
Sorry for the rambling. Anyway, I still think face to face is the best, but if your going to use the indirect canvassing approach, give them something that they'll keep.
Excellent advice and information! This is what Detail City is all about!