What makes a great Click N Brag???

David Fermani

David Fermani

Forza Auto Salon
What attributes make a great Click N Brag?



I’m sure anyone that has contemplated making a Click N Brag has thought about what they can do (or not do) that can make it great? I would like to hear from not just the people who make them, but the people who view them what they think.







  • The vehicle being worked on?
  • The condition of the vehicle?
  • Level of transformation?
  • Catchy title?
  • Time spent on vehicle?
  • Before & after pictures documenting the improvement?
  • Full explanation of the process & products used?
  • Pictures of you/assistant working on the vehicle?
  • High quality pictures?
  • Amount of pictures (extensive/moderate)?
  • Video – yes or no?
  • Full sun pictures?
  • Background description of vehicle?
  • How the client was attained?
  • Cost of detail listed?

 
I personally like write-ups done in the style of Eric from Tru-Shine or Willis who show the condition before and after but explain every step of the way with what products they use and what the products do and why they use them. It effectively conveys the detail to both the detail novice and expert.
 
Leadfootluke said:
I personally like write-ups done in the style of Eric from Tru-Shine or Willis who show the condition before and after but explain every step of the way with what products they use and what the products do and why they use them. It effectively conveys the detail to both the detail novice and expert.
Click to expand...



Put me down for being on your team, Luke!

The normal pics of "look how great", etc could come from any where, but a true set of start to finish, now that is what helps folks.



Grumpy
 
Great thread David. I like to read about "the story" behind the detail, or the car if it is of significance. It's nice to hear why a customer decided to come to you to do the job.
 
Coming from a long time lurker... :)



Things I like seeing:

  • Daily drivers with dramatic before-and-after pictures. We can all gawk at high end exotics. But typically those cars are already in pretty decent condition to begin with. Show me the neglected daily driver that gets properly detailed.
  • A couple of 50/50 pictures of paint correction
  • Explanation of process and products used, and why a particular process and/or product
  • Background story of client and/or car
  • Total time spent on the detail

Things that I'm neutral towards:

  • Videos. I like them for instructional purposes (e.g., for techniques), but they don't translate well into showing a "Wow" factor for the post-detail effect.
  • Cost. Your money is your business.
  • Too many higher-end and/or exotic cars -- usually not as dramatic due to detailing.

Things I don't like:

  • More than a couple of pictures of minute scratches which were polished away. A couple of pictures are fine; I get it.
  • More than a couple of pictures of paint correction. See previous bullet.

Just my 2 cents...
 
I really like Tru Shine's and always check them out regardless of the car. I have to agree with Scott that an abundance of pics can be a turn off. I like to take before and after pics while i'm working around the car. For an example: set up the lights and grab a shot of the swirls. Correct the panel and take the SAME pic from the SAME angle with the SAME lighting, except now the panel is cleared up. Insert images back to back in the c&b and that allows the reader to quickly scroll through and see direct comparisons. I've seen a couple of guys using that technique and I really thought it translated well to somebody that maybe isn't as informed about paint correction.
 
I got turned off when I see CnB of a new "super car" with 200 pictures and videos where they show small swirls in in every angle, washing the not so diry wheels and etc.



I love to see a transformation of a regular all day beater with a couple of before pictures, more during pictures including 50/50 and a few after pictures of the whole car, but also one picture of a trashed panel and then another picture of the same trashed, but restored panel: "We can go from this to this".



I also like to see what kind of process and products used.
 
Leadfootluke said:
I personally like write-ups done in the style of Eric from Tru-Shine or Willis who show the condition before and after but explain every step of the way with what products they use and what the products do and why they use them. It effectively conveys the detail to both the detail novice and expert.
Click to expand...



What Leadfoote said in addition to the products, details about the process--ie #of passes etc is helpful for us novices.
 
I couple have already hit the nail on the head for me.



#1-Good (don't have to be dslr) pictures. My #1 pet peeve is blurry cell phone pictures.

#2-Explain the process on what what used (machine, pads, polish, etc.)



those are my main concerns. Beyond that, don't overload the post with 100 pictures. A few before, a few 50/50 shots, and several after (including sun shots if possible) are all that is needed to convey your work. I also like it when the before and afters are taken at similar angle/distance. And having a couple back to back before/after is also nice.



I also like to know how long it took to do the work, but not imperative for me. Also not critical, but I find some of the background stories on the car/client to be interesting as well.
 
A good list there, David.



I don't see the need to list price since we are all in different markets. The hours, however, is great to know, especially for people who come here looking for a detailer. It could give them some idea of what they are in store for.



I sometimes find a C&B has way too many photos and other times I find myself looking for more. In my C&Bs I have tried to meet the desires of both by posting just the necessary ones for the story, then tacking on more at the end. This allows those who don't care to look through them all to stop and those who like photos to continue on. I particularly hate when the before and after photos are so spread out that I can't get a real sense of comparison. I like to post before and afters right next to each other for better comparison.



Example: http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-brag/137968-black-93-zr-1-my-first-post-photos.html



I work alone so getting working shots is tough. I also feel that taking a picture of cleaning wheels or other normal tasks is a bit boring unless there is something significant about it.
 
I love the long drawn out ones that show everything and tell everything. Im a big fan of the story. Thats what got me hooked to them. I really need to do one soon.
 
Years ago, I got the detailing bug. But, it wasn't till I read the C&B's from Todd Helme that I truely knew what a detail was. I remember he did a little British sports car and had polished all the different metalwork under the hood, looked like a jewelery store in there! IMHO, his work set the standard and I'm sure inspired quite a few others to take it to that level.
 
JuneBug said:
Years ago, I got the detailing bug. But, it wasn't till I read the C&B's from Todd Helme that I truely knew what a detail was. I remember he did a little British sports car and had polished all the different metalwork under the hood, looked like a jewelery store in there! IMHO, his work set the standard and I'm sure inspired quite a few others to take it to that level.
Click to expand...



Inspired me for sure!!!!
 
I've always liked David's C&B threads. Quality pics, informative, great transformation, and awesome 50/50 or before and after shots. Several other detailers post equally as good of threads, but David's always seem to be top notch IMO and are what I think of when asked the title of this thread.



http://www.autopia.org/forum/click-...-porsche-993-extensive-correction-detail.html





One thing I will says is that I don't mind videos, but to be honest, I will almost always skip over threads if that's ALL there is....sorry Gary. Most my forum surfing is while I'm at work and IT doesn't like us streaming videos. ;)
 
I like the details where the last picture is one of an exotic car, a sunset, and the detailer with a cigar in their mouth........:lol:



Seriously, I enjoy a simple thread with a few pics (some nice before and afters), details of the process and products, and any unusual or interesting story about the vehicle or owner. Links to an album or more pictures is a plus, so I can see more without waiting for 250 pictures to load in a thread.



Randy
 
64 members and 330 views, but only 16 responders (so far).



There's always a steady flow of people reading the Click N Brags. You're obviously clicking on these threads, but what is preventing your from giving your input?



WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WHEN YOU READ THOUGH THIS FORUM????



WHAT ARE YOUR HOT BUTTONS????
 
David Fermani said:
64 members and 330 views, but only 16 responders (so far).



There's always a steady flow of people reading the Click N Brags. You're obviously clicking on these threads, but what is preventing your from giving your input?



WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR WHEN YOU READ THOUGH THIS FORUM????



WHAT ARE YOUR HOT BUTTONS????
Click to expand...



Hot buttons??? :D



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