Best forms of Advertising?

Depends... what market are you trying to reach?

Are you advertising to the general public? This will typically bring in more "simple" work, ie wash & wax type of deals.

Do you want to reach out to car enthusiasts? This may bring in more detailed work like full corrections.

Some more info on your goals would be helpful in order to provide you more specific advice.
 
If I feel I ever need to advertise my first money would be spent on Google ad words.
 
Google adwords seems to be the winner in terms of paying for advertising
 
Google adwords. Make sure you are in yellowbook, yellowpages also. They will try and pitch a big expensive ad but you can get online and in the basic print ads for free.

Local signage is huge for me. Get a flashing arrow sign from sams club, pay someone a few bucks a months to put it in a high visibility spot, and reap the rewards. It will get you a lot of basic details and interior packages.
 
Renny Doyle's book: How to start a home-based detailing business has several very good ideas on how to get new clients. I would definatelly have a look if I were you before spending ANY money on adds.
 
Wiserphil said:
I finally have the budget to advertise. Any suggestions?
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Join the high end car clubs in your area. Porsche, BMW and MB. Offer free demos and lessons on detailing for their concurs.


Advertise in the local chapter new letters. Get to know the members.

These guys will spend on great work. Take you best car to their club events let them see your work. ( I assume that is great, if not forget it, there guy are generally picky)
 
Well I am mobile. I would rather do full details but I will take anything. Was thinking of online, local newspapers etc. Just curious to what has worked for everyone else.
 
I you want to burn money and get no return, newspapers are the ticket. Worst possible form of advertising you can choose.
 
Word of mouth is the best advertising you can get, and it's free. Make clients happy and encourage them to tell their family and friends.
 
Let me say first of all that I detail cars for enjoyment, relaxation , and just because I'm car crazy.

Having said that, I take my car to all the local car shows not with wining anything in mind but rubbing elbows and hanging around other car crazies. It's not unusual to have thousands of people attend a well organized car show. Where else can you get all the car nuts in one place at the same time?

I'm always asked who details my car. When I say to them that I do, some will ask if I'd interested in doing theirs. I explain to them that I'm a hobbyist and that I don't do it for the money but for the love of it.

The point in all this is that if I really had to detail cars to pay the bills I wouldn't have to spend anything to get some initial clients that could snowball into many clients by word of mouth. Even on a part time basis I have no doubt I would be busy every weekend detailing cars just by attending car shows.

However at my age my focus is on my free time mostly on weekends and polishing other people's cars every weekend is not something I want to do.
 
Wiserphil said:
Well I am mobile. I would rather do full details but I will take anything. Was thinking of online, local newspapers etc. Just curious to what has worked for everyone else.
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Before spending ANY money, see if there is a local small business group near you. Last year at the behest of my exterminator I joined his small business group which is essentially a group who use each other for referrals. I've gotten 3 new customers in the past month from them which may not sound like a lot, but it then turns into word of mouth. I also had inquiries from businesses who asked me to do details at their business location as part of their rewards program.
Most of these groups are free to join so you really have nothing to lose.
 
hernandez.art13 said:
How can one fond these groups GaryG7133?

Thank You
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Best bet is to google them in your area. Like I said, I kinda found mine by accident as my exterminator is a member and he mentioned that they did not have any detailers in the group.
I actually lost an interior job to a group member who cleans carpets. I'm guessing that they felt that someone who does upholstery would know more than I do.
 
Woa... I googled Detailing La Puente, CA and found 2 local guys that I did not know existed.

I left a message for one on advice on cleaning my interior. The operator just took a message. I asked if I could just stop by and she said "not sure, I'll have him call you back" so we'll see how it goes.

Hope it did not come out as competition, just trying to be friendly and meet local Detailer's since Florida is far away lol
 
Heh, I actually meant local small business groups, not detailers. it will certainly be interesting though if he calls back !
 
Woops, I got to excited and called a business guy haha (didn't know there was a difference) lol

What do you type in for "detailing groups" on google? Probably detailing groups haha

If he does call back, I'll report back lol
 
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