How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

[agp423]

I'm just starting my detail business this summer. As the economy is down, I have no job, other than driving a few clients to/from the airport, and a few kids to/from vacation bible school here and there.

I want to know how I can get my names out there - do I print hundreds of fliers and put them on people's wipers outside an expensive restaurant? For those who have their own detailing business, how did you advertise yourself?

And any ideas for a "company" name?

[Echelon]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

Vistaprint.com, free buisness cards, just pay shipping

[agp423]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

It's not free for me... Although 500 only costs $10.

[agp423]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

Is it only the default design that's free??

[DrdetailNashville]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

Business cards are a great idea. Also start some sort of website for your business. If you don't know how or can't afford a domain name then start a facebook page. You need something that you can show your potential clients your work.

Always ask for referrals from your current customers. If I am at an office or place or business doing a detail I ask if I can leave some business cards in their break room or something like that, no one has ever said no.

[Paul S]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

How about finding a charity auction or event in your area and offer a detail and a few $10.00 off coupons as door prizes. Craigslist is a option and you might get a lot of price shoppers but it only takes a couple of customers to get you started.As for fliers , a lot of people are turned off by having stuff stuck on their windshield. Word of mouth will be one of your best promotions.

[Tuck91]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

Do good/quality work and you would be suprised how much business you will get.

And tell everyone that you see/know what you do now for a living.

[agp423]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

I will start with Craigslist, thank you!

[Echelon]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

At vistaprint the basic designs are free, all you do is pay for shipping. What we did, was choose the upload your own image option and it was about $20 for 500 cards including shipping and we just made our own design on photoshop

[Kubbie]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

Start with your own vehicle spotless and swirl free - demo on the spot.

Nothing is better than word of mouth.

[Echelon]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

@kubbie
That actually is a really good point. Ever since we started up we've kept our cars completly spotless, it's like free advertising. Everytime someone comments on your clean car, tell them about your buisness. You can show the customer the difference between their car and swirl free, or what sells a lot of people for us it the clay bar. Keep a zip-loc bag in your car and show them the bag test on the spot and they'll want their car to be smooth too lol

[agp423]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

What's the bag test?

[TKDDAD]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

Do good/quality work and you would be suprised how much business you will get.

And tell everyone that you see/know what you do now for a living.

Agree...best advertisment is your satisfied clients...and as someone has already mentioned, you own car should be the showcase of your business.

[gto_don]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

I agree with Nick (Tuck91) and TKDDAD. I have business cards, FB page and website for my business. Though those are great investments and have helped promote my business, doing good quality work and getting word of mouth recommendations has been amazing for the business.

[Explicit Details]

Re: How do you make yourself known as a detailer?

Things that have worked well for me:

A nice website
Google Adwords
Facebook page
Vinyl lettering on the back window of my car
Craigslist - though I mostly just get price shoppers from it
Yelp and other review sites
List yourself on all the local directories online
Learn to write a press release and submit it to local papers

Word of mouth is also huge but of course you need to get some customers first. I have also tried other things I didn't list here but those things were a waste of time like leaving flyers on people's cars/.

Best of luck!