Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

[jarred767]

So I have recently just started my own detailing business, but own of my biggest problems is that I'm not sure how or which way to advertise for my business. I know that in this business talking about your business with other people and doing premium work are the best ways to get yourself known and get out there. Other than this though what are some good ways that you have found to advertise your business. Right now I have no trailer or vans that will have decals on them, (i was thinking about putting one on the back bumper of my own car though) I also post adds on craigslist, which has been my main way of attracting customers. How else can I get my business out. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

The first thing you need to do is figure out who it is you think you are trying to reach. For example; are you going after professionals such as doctors who are able to pay higher prices? or everyday daily drivers who just need a quick low cost wash & wax? Once you identify the customer and why that customer needs your service, that in itself will help you to focus more on your target market.

It is also very important to understand how your detailing business fits into the marketplace and whether or not there will continue to be a demand for your services.

Find a need and fill it. That is the basis for becoming target market driven. You could use the best products, do the best work, have the lowest price, but if there is no need for your service, then you are nowhere.

When it comes to advertising, marketing and promoting your business it is a good idea to always remain focused on your target market.

[Detaillab]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

We have tried many things. The phone book is very effective, but very costly, radio ads so far bring few results, but do pay for themselves. The most effective thing we have done is a direct mailer. Low cost, decent return.

We have two trucks that are tricked out with decals, but we really don't see any return from them.

We have tried flyers, they have been a dismal failure.

We put business cards on nice cars, and really see no return on that.

The best return is referrals from really satisfied customers!

[Graeme]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

The most effective thing we have done is a direct mailer. Low cost, decent return.

Can I ask what is Direct Mailer?

[jarred767]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

The best return is referrals from really satisfied customers!

I agree with this and can see that once you get the ball rolling, it probably wouldn't be extremely difficult to obtain and keep a decent customer base, especially since if you are doing amazing work and really impressing your customers. My biggest problem is since I am just starting, I don't have those first customers to refer.

I am probably going to be doing some friends cars at discounted prices just to try and get the word out there. I was also thinking of doing some type of referral program where for every customer that someone referred to me they would get $10 off their own next detailing job and the new customer would get $10 off their first try of me. Does this sound like it could be effective and has anyone tried this type of stuff and seen any reasonable results.

One other thing I was thinking about was to build a basic webpage. Would this be useful/worth the time it would take to build the page. (I have very limited skills in this, btw)

Thanks again, and I appreciate your thoughts.

Jarred

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

You may want to consider going with something that is a bit more of an incentive to let your customers know that it is alright for them to tell their friends and family about your service. Offer them a Twenty Dollars-Off Certificate for every referral they make that becomes a new customer. They will save twenty dollars off their next detailing and you will gain a new customer. And there is really no need to offer any discount to the person who is being reffered. Basically, they are just coming in as a new customer, like any other new customer. The reward should always go to your current customer. Remember, you must first provide a professional quality detailing service.

Also, you better get started on that new website. It will be useful and worth every hour of time it would take to build. Keep it basic and have some fun with the design. Just make sure it provides the basics about your new business, such as who? what? where? when? why? how?

Who needs your service.
What is the service you will be offering.
Where will you provide this service.
When will be the hours and days of operation.
Why are you providing this service.
How does this service benefit the customer.

[STG]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

Can I ask what is Direct Mailer?

A direct mailer is a printed advertisement sent via mail to a group of potential customers. It could be a letter or a post card.

There are companies that offer mailing lists of potential customers categorized in various ways. For example, you may be able to obtain a list of luxury car owners.

In most areas of the United States, property ownership is public information. You can obtain property ownership information from the (tax) assessor's office. Real estate brokers often have free on-line access to this information through title insurance companies.

Currently, I can look up ownership information in over 30 states on the internet. Some rural areas (like Wyoming) are not technically advance, but even here I got a CD of all the property ownership in Park County for $10.

If you decide to to direct mail, real estate ownership information can be very benefical in maximizing results.

It is very easy to identify the more affluent neighborhoods in your area. People with nicer cars and MORE DISPOSABLE INCOME live in these areas.

Get the owner information for SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCES in an affluent area and send your mailers to these people. You want to send mailers to people who live in the area, not out of town owners.

In most cases, the information you get will include ASSESSED VALUES of property, so you could dump the list into Access or Excel and sort by property values. (And remove out of town owners.)

Using Southern California as an example, you could send mailers to Palos Verdes, Newport Beach (you may to remove Barry Meguiar's home address from that list - I think he's hooked up) and Mission Viejo.

If you sort your mailers by Zip Code, you can buy a bulk-rate permit and save about 10 cents in postage on each mailer. You save even more by sorting by carrier route (you bundle up your mailers for each postal carrier - the post office doesn't even sort them, they just drop then in the carrier's pile of mail).

GO WHERE THE MONEY IS!

(I just checked - the information for Washington is available and should be easy for you to get.)

[Detaillab]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

Can I ask what is Direct Mailer?

we bought a mailing list with some specifications like a certain area of town, certain levels on income, things like that. We then sent those people a post card. The results have been surprising. Not everybody who calls gets service, but many do.

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

Why not make your own direct mailing list using reverse address lookup in the white pages. All you do is just type in an address and the results will show the homeowners name, address and phone number. It will also show the names and addresses of nearby neighbors. It takes time to put together a list, however it is free. http://www.whitepages.com/10583/reverse_address

You could also use this method to get the names and addresses of neighbors of current customers. Then you could send a mailer to nearby neighbors and let them know about your detailing services. It is free and well worth your time and effort.

[hot rod]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

great tip worked in 2 seconds 10 adresses

[mirrorfinishman]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

Doing a reverse address lookup in the white pages is about as simple as it gets when you want to do your own direct mailer.

[hot rod]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

are you going to CT for the class

[jarred767]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

So as far as doing a direct mailer, if I were to send out a letter of some sort, would I just include that basic information about my company (i.e. mobile detailing, we come to you, basic info on prices and stuff...) should I just put it in a letter form and then mail it out. I never knew this was even possible, so i'm a little unsure exactly how to make this the most effective possible. By the way though, I do really like this idea.

Thanks, Jarred

[Detaillab]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)

we sent a post card. We designed it and had it printed at a local shop

[img]http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/3184/ppuser/10806[/img]

[img]http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums...3/ppuser/10806[/img]

[Detaillab]

Re: Question for the Pro's (especially Mobile)