How to approach strangers...

[RaskyR1]

How to approach strangers...


So the World Of Wheel car show is going on this weekend and I thought about handing out some business cards to car owners if there vehicle looks like it needs some help.

Is this a good idea? If so, how to you approach them without insulting them?


Thanks,
Rasky

[akimel]

Re: How to approach stangers...

Well, it's probably easier to figure out how NOT to approach them. For example, the following is probably not a good approach:

"Hi, there. I'm Rasky. I'm a professional detailer, and I think you desperately need my services. Your car looks awful. Have you been using Brillo pads on it?"

[pampos]

Re: How to approach stangers...

You can find someone to detail his car before the show,for a better price maybe,and tell him to be there with him to advertise your self...

[RaskyR1]

Re: How to approach stangers...

Well, it's probably easier to figure out how NOT to approach them. For example, the following is probably not a good approach:

"Hi, there. I'm Rasky. I'm a professional detailer, and I think you desperately need my services. Your car looks awful. Have you been using Brillo pads on it?"

Thanks Al!

I set a business card on the window of a guy in my business complex that has a '64 Corvette. It's black, swirled, and is really a shame to see a car like that in such a poor condition. I seen him walking to the car one day and asked him if he got my card. He said yes, but he seemed offended by it.

I just don't want to hurt the feelings of a car owner, who in their own mind, may think the car looks great.

Rasky

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: How to approach stangers...

I can advise you NOT what to do. Don't leave your card/pamphlet under the wiper blade (Car buffs obviously don't want anyone touching their vehicles. I usually toss them without reading the stuff because to me it's like spamming.) and don't insert your card/pamphlet between the side window and the rubber trim seal. On my older vehicle years ago, my power window started jamming. When the shop took apart the door to check the electric motor, they found a promotional post card for a gym and a couple of plastic business cards stuck in the works.

[sudsbyhubbs]

Re: How to approach stangers...

I go to quite a few car shows every year in our area. I tried handing out some cards, and basically I learned that the guys showing their cars are there to have heaps of praise given to them for all of their hard work. They don't respond well to detailers approaching them because they take it as criticism of their show ride. The only angle I could get to work for me was asking them if they would be interested

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: How to approach stangers...

Thanks Al!

I set a business card on the window of a guy in my business complex that has a '64 Corvette.

Whoops! Excuse my previous comment. I meant at car shows or car club gatherings I wouldn't leave a card under the wiper blade.

[sudsbyhubbs]

Re: How to approach stangers...

sorry, i hit submit to soon!

I go to quite a few car shows every year in our area. I tried handing out some cards, and basically I learned that the guys showing their cars are there to have heaps of praise given to them for all of their hard work. They don't respond well to detailers approaching them because they take it as criticism of their show ride. The only angle I could get to work for me was asking them if they would be interested

in having someone detail their car right before a show. That way they see it as less work for themselves and you can show them what you can do. You might have to wait a while before you actually get to detail it, but you can also gain a client.

[RaskyR1]

Re: How to approach stangers...

I can advise you NOT what to do. Don't leave your card/pamphlet under the wiper blade (Car buffs obviously don't want anyone touching their vehicles. I usually toss them without reading the stuff because to me it's like spamming.) and don't insert your card/pamphlet between the side window and the rubber trim seal. On my older vehicle years ago, my power window started jamming. When the shop took apart the door to check the electric motor, they found a promotional post card for a gym and a couple of plastic business cards stuck in the works.

Yeah, I had thought about it for a very long time before actually doing it. I've been seeing his car for over 3 years now on random nice summer days. I set it on the drivers side door glass, but not between the weather stip and the glass. I figured it just blow away, but he did say he got it. It was the first and last time I will do that.

[RaskyR1]

Re: How to approach stangers...

sorry, i hit submit to soon!



in having someone detail their car right before a show. That way they see it as less work for themselves and you can show them what you can do. You might have to wait a while before you actually get to detail it, but you can also gain a client.

I like this angle, and I may try that. Maybe I will hold off until I get my web site up and running so that they can view some of my work first.

Thanks,
Rasky

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How to approach strangers...

Some of the comments I posted here tie into what you're talking about in this thread,

Strange People

I've met so many people with really expensive cars, especially in the hot rod world where they've spent years building them and getting everything about the car perfect except the paint which is often times completely swirled out.

Usually the owner doesn't know how to work on paint himself, (which is obvious by the appearance of the paint), but at the same time they don't know who to trust to let touch their baby so they don't let anyone work on the paint.

If the owner of a special interest car doesn't know you personally or by your name and reputation, and there's no one he already trusts to introduce you and vouch for you, then it's very hard to break through their wall of resistance.

Probably the thing that helped me the most to earn the trust of owners of special interest cars was to teach classes on detailing for car clubs. By teaching the class you could demonstrate you know what you're doing and what you're talking about and there's always a certain percentage of car owners that after learning what's involved in removing all the swirls in their pride and joy, would rather hire someone else they can trust to do it for them.

It's all about finding a way to earn their trust with the thin coating of paint on they ride.

Tough nut to crack...

[DogParkGuy]

Re: How to approach strangers...

The same rules apply to any type of business regardless of the purpose of the meeting. In one of my previous jobs I attended dozens of industry meetings with hundreds of attendees. When I saw someone I wanted to meet, I introduced myself, "Hi, my name is Art Layton. Have you been to this conference before?" Usually, they would respond with the answer, " My name is xxxxxxx. I came to see a demonstration of equipment, or hear a speaker or I represent a vendor. I have been here a dozen times (or never before).

Your goal is to introduce yourself, not sell something. You want to network with potential customers by offering something in return. Someone will ask you why you are here and you will tell them you detail cars and are looking for new equipment or new marketing ideas. If they are interested, they will ask you to look at their car. Go from there. Don't just hand out business cards.

[sstg]

Re: How to approach strangers...

The same rules apply to any type of business regardless of the purpose of the meeting. In one of my previous jobs I attended dozens of industry meetings with hundreds of attendees. When I saw someone I wanted to meet, I introduced myself, "Hi, my name is Art Layton. Have you been to this conference before?" Usually, they would respond with the answer, " My name is xxxxxxx. I came to see a demonstration of equipment, or hear a speaker or I represent a vendor. I have been here a dozen times (or never before).

Your goal is to introduce yourself, not sell something. You want to network with potential customers by offering something in return. Someone will ask you why you are here and you will tell them you detail cars and are looking for new equipment or new marketing ideas. If they are interested, they will ask you to look at their car. Go from there. Don't just hand out business cards.

That's how I do it. Find away to open a door. If there interested they'll inquire more about it,if not they'll drop it.LOL

[RaskyR1]

Re: How to approach strangers...

Some of the comments I posted here tie into what you're talking about in this thread,

Strange People





If the owner of a special interest car doesn't know you personally or by your name and reputation, and there's no one he already trusts to introduce you and vouch for you, then it's very hard to break through their wall of resistance.

Probably the thing that helped me the most to earn the trust of owners of special interest cars was to teach classes on detailing for car clubs. By teaching the class you could demonstrate you know what you're doing and what you're talking about and there's always a certain percentage of car owners that after learning what's involved in removing all the swirls in their pride and joy, would rather hire someone else they can trust to do it for them.

It's all about finding a way to earn their trust with the thin coating of paint on they ride.

Tough nut to crack...

Like this one?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24815

I actually have another one planned this summer for an S2000 club.


Thanks for all the feedback guys! This has helped a lot.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: How to approach strangers...

Like this one?

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24815

That was a great thread! Great job testing those waxes.

For years on other forums I remember reading comments by people saying that waxes that change the color of the paint is a bad thing.

They just didn't understand that a quality product will increase the clarity of a clear coat and/or bring out the full richness of color in a single stage paint.

The end-results is a darkening-effect which isn't really changing the color of the paint especially if you're working on a clear coat because the color coat is under the clear layer.

Looks like good information about what's really going on has finally disseminated out and around to the forum-world as I don't see these kind of comments as much any more...