Need advice on how to approach potential customers

[10degreesbtdc]

I plan on detailing and paint correction as a part-time business soon and I'm a little lost as to how to approach potential clients since I don't have a lot of customers under my belt for references. The few I do have are happy, but they are not really the type of clients I want to get. Meaning; I want to do higher end work rather than compete with the mass of detailers on the cheap that will take any car on.
I want to find customers that care about their cars, have the money to maintain them and know and appreciate the value of high quality work when they see it. So I'm thinking BMW, Caddy, Vette, Mercedes, Lexus, etc.
But how do I approach these owners as a startup biz? Where do I canvas?

I've got my company name, domain name, web hosting, business cards, tools, soon to have most Meguiar's products (except 105, 205 backordered and canopies). I'd like to do these cars here at my house if possible, so I need to work that into the sales pitch as well as consider it in the price. Maybe a discount for bringing it to me? I have an air conditioned garage which would make it much nicer for me and for the application of products and quicker turnaround.

I realize I'm not a pro (yet), but I have been turning out some good work and quickly getting better My main priority is top quality work, no cutting corners, no quickies. Main focus on paint correction, polishing, sealant, wax, trim, wheels, tires, engine, interior clean/treatment, but would rather not steam-clean carpets.

Any ideas? Give me your best sales pitch! (sales makes me nervous )

Thanks in advance!
Steve

[Megafast13]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

Hey, What I would do is make fliers with your packages/rates/contact info/website etc.

When your out and about and see a nice car as you described that's dirty, put a flier on the windshield wiper.

Try to find a large company that has wealthy employees...Get one customer and do a great job, word of mouth will get you many

That's what I did.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

If you want to work out of your garage, you're really going to limit yourself. People like convenience, and that means you coming to them. If you haven't done so already, check your local zoning ordinances to make sure you can operate a private business from your residence. Note hours of operation allowed, permitted decibel levels, whether or not you need to apply for a small business license, any CC or HOA restrictions if applicable. I made the mistake of trying to run an refillable inkjet business out of my residence a few years back and got bit by multiple fines.

To get the word out or hang your shingle will be the tough part. I get the feeling from other members here that most business is generated word of mouth. I have thought about how I would start a part time detail business if and when I get into it, and my plan would be to start off detailing cars on the weekend. I would target a small pond (my workplace) and tack up a flyer offering a discount to co-workers. Lots of nice cars out in the parking lot, some of which need serious attention.

If I didn't work where I work now or the co-worker pool was too small to make a go of trying to start a detail business, I would find a high end business park and seek the owner's permission to post flyers, distribute business cards, and even offer a discount to tenant employees. Perhaps even give the business park owner a free detail for the consideration. I'm thinking law firms, accounting firms, other high profile professionals that rely on their cars as part of their image.

[Cosmin]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

well ... i plan go mobile on my own by next year, january. so i have time to practice more and get the equipment i need.
like advertise i will wetsand my car and buff it perfect , even if will take me some good days of work. is a luxury sedan so is worth it. on rear window i will have my advertise with paint correction , show car finish. also the fastest i go the more advertise i made )) just kidding.
but that should be one point of advertise, also i will drive it in area where i know are money, park it to be visible and enjoy a tea at starbucks for example. also think about made a visit in office buildings, dealers...
i think good quality business card and web site with before/after pic is a must, plus your car must look decent.
that`s my plan.

[DrdetailNashville]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

Choose a form of advertising and pound away at it. If your going to do flyers, do tons of them and keep doing it. Website? Make it the best one in your area and keep it that way. As a new business its tough to get established, but once you do the work will start coming in. Also be patient, it took me about 2.5 - 3 years of hard work and trial and error before I could say I was operating a good business. Knowing how to detail cars is great, but that's only a small part of having a auto detailing business.

[john m.]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

What about if you are in a small town and people do their own details but not really the kind you would do? As in they dont do paint correction just wash and wax....how do you approach these people? sorry for the thread jack

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

What about if you are in a small town and people do their own details but not really the kind you would do? As in they dont do paint correction just wash and wax....how do you approach these people? sorry for the thread jack

Well, in this case, you would just come to Dallas and work for a mobile detailer that is severely behind schedule

[10degreesbtdc]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

Hey, What I would do is make fliers with your packages/rates/contact info/website etc.

When your out and about and see a nice car as you described that's dirty, put a flier on the windshield wiper.

Try to find a large company that has wealthy employees...Get one customer and do a great job, word of mouth will get you many

That's what I did.

Thanks! I've thought about fliers, but also read here I think that most do what I do, toss them in the trash without reading them. Someone mentioned a hand written note recommending needed services for the particular car's condition along with a business card that worked better?

I like the large, wealthy staffed company idea!

If you want to work out of your garage, you're really going to limit yourself. People like convenience, and that means you coming to them. If you haven't done so already, check your local zoning ordinances to make sure you can operate a private business from your residence. Note hours of operation allowed, permitted decibel levels, whether or not you need to apply for a small business license, any CC or HOA restrictions if applicable. I made the mistake of trying to run an refillable inkjet business out of my residence a few years back and got bit by multiple fines.

At this point I don't mind limiting myself as far as quantity. I can spend more time and do better work here and wouldn't mind people getting accustomed to bringing their car to me (maybe I'm dreaming?) I know zoning does not allow it so I'd have to be somewhat sneaky and quiet about it. I could take it to a car wash close by to wash and vac, then pull it in my garage for the rest with the door closed - a/c on.

I've thought about getting canopies, water reclamation equipment, etc. But then we're talking a van to carry it all and that goes above and beyond a part-time business, in my opinion, both in effort and expense. Perhaps most will want it done at their location and I'll have no choice? I have a pickup with a topper and can carry everything I have, but a water tank, canopies and the like would be pushing it without a van.

i will wetsand my car and buff it perfect

I thought about renting or leasing a nice car, detailing it to the max and going out in it to find work. I have an older truck and while I keep it nice I just don't think the kind of clients I'm looking for would be impressed even though it looks better than most vehicles I see every day.

Choose a form of advertising and pound away at it. If your going to do flyers, do tons of them and keep doing it. Website? Make it the best one in your area and keep it that way. As a new business its tough to get established, but once you do the work will start coming in. Also be patient, it took me about 2.5 - 3 years of hard work and trial and error before I could say I was operating a good business. Knowing how to detail cars is great, but that's only a small part of having a auto detailing business.

Some good stuff here, for sure and I know there's a lot to be learned and fine tuned on the business end and well as detailing itself. That's why I want to start part-time and would prefer to do them here, one at a time, do them perfect for referrals rather than go all out as a mobile biz. There are a lot of detailers in the Tampa Bay area so I want my niche to be high quality, not quantity on the cheap.

What about if you are in a small town and people do their own details but not really the kind you would do? As in they dont do paint correction just wash and wax....how do you approach these people? sorry for the thread jack

That's what I'm talking about! Most around here (a lot of retired seniors and the like) frequent the local $25 wet and wipe so they could not care less about whether it's done right or swirl free or protected.

Well, in this case, you would just come to Dallas and work for a mobile detailer that is severely behind schedule

What's it pay and does it come with room and board?

Thanks guys! Great ideas. Hope you'll keep them coming.

[zeegs]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

I, too do a part time detail and found that referrals are some of the best advertising.
I did my sister's car who is a scholl teacher, and found that her co-workers saw it and asked "how do you get your car to look so good?" She told them her brother did it and I got at least 15 referrals. Since then things have steady grown. I hate people who put hand-outs on my car and will never use their services!! A good business card is one of the best, just hand them to anyone who asks for your phone number, or website and put them on bulletin boards in your local supermarket. Good Luck!

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

Word of mouth is always your best advertisement in any business.
Flyer's never worked for me.
In my past I would join the Chamber of Commerce, and any other referral/lead group. There you can have one on one time and show people your work and see there cars at functions.
You'll get at least one customer and he'll tell two friends and so on and so on.

[akimel]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

I recall this being discussed in an earlier thread a few months ago. The OP was strongly advised against leaving notes on people's windshields. Some might find it insulting. But I'm afraid I am unable to find that thread.

[Megafast13]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

I recall this being discussed in an earlier thread a few months ago. The OP was strongly advised against leaving notes on people's windshields. Some might find it insulting. But I'm afraid I am unable to find that thread.

What's "The OP?"

Anyway, Also get good at golfing and meet wealthy people with nice cars while golfing...Get some customers there too

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

What's "The OP?

Original Poster

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

I recall this being discussed in an earlier thread a few months ago. The OP was strongly advised against leaving notes on people's windshields. Some might find it insulting. But I'm afraid I am unable to find that thread.

I remember that thread. I advised against inserting business cards into the side window because they sometimes damage the rubber weather seal or slide inside the door. And I know I have a tendency to toss anything placed under my wiper blade without reading it, but I may be in the minority.

[Megafast13]

Re: Need advice on how to approach potential customers

Well, I haven't done the windshield thing that often. I put fliers on everyone's neighborhood mailbox. They always see me wash my cars. The Word of Mouth spread. They gave fliers to there family members and they then handed them out to there co-workers. I have a lot of P&G and GE Customers