Getting the First Clients

davisautodetail

davisautodetail

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Finally getting all of my ducks in a row here, t-shirts, biz cards, website, signage, etc.

I'm ready to start detailing cars, but the weather is still pretty cold here, so it might be a bit.

I'm curious what you guys used for your early strategies for getting clients. I've read it's not great to do big discounts, freebies, etc.

When I started my web development business 15 years ago, I already had a big client that helped me not worry about getting new business.

Would be interested in hearing ideas.

From a marketing standpoint, I've got yelp setup (which I know can be dangerous,) google places, my website has great seo position already, and I should have my graphics for my rig and t-shirts this week.

I noticed there's a competitor's flyer on the window at the local parts store, so maybe I could do that, but I'm looking for something a little more concrete.

Thanks!
 
Once you get that first detail you will be amazed how effective "word of mouth is". Until then i would take a full day and go hand out as many business cards as possible, educate people about your services and tell them why your better and different than theyre current detailer. Also Introduce youself to every local business in the area, ecspecially the business that have anything to do with the automotive profession.
 
First place i started was advertising on Craiglist, that actually worked out well for me, first paying customer was a Camaro,

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Ended up being a repeat customer until financial hardship

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But have a repeat customer that lives around the corner from this guy and saw my results in person on that said camaro and saw my add on Clist, had me come out do his sons car and since then he has been my best advertising, he has brought me more work doing his personal vehicles, his boss's vehicles and spreading the word about me,

word of mouth is a beautiful thing, make one customer happy and more will come!
 
Ryansdetailing said:
Once you get that first detail you will be amazed how effective "word of mouth is". Until then i would take a full day and go hand out as many business cards as possible, educate people about your services and tell them why your better and different than theyre current detailer. Also Introduce youself to every local business in the area, ecspecially the business that have anything to do with the automotive profession.
Click to expand...

:iagree:
 
Join your city's or county's chamber offer members a discount, this will help getting your name out.
 
I have gained 8-9 clients in a few months at my gym alone. 4 at my church. Word of mouth though is your most powerful tool. USE IT!

The statement of not too big discounts or freebies is a big one. Free people get uncomfortable and feel like they owe you. Big discounts and it shows that you have a big mark up and are gouging people. General rule of thumb, never go more than a %15 discount. Notice how AG rarely gives %20 sales.

Rather than giving discounts, go a step above and really be thorough. Clean everything! Impressed clients are the best advertisement.
 
If i were you I would definitely create a window sticker for your car... find out if there are any events such as carnivals, high school or college fundraisers (for teams etc) or tricky trays.. you can donate an item to one of them such as a slip for a free detail to one of the auctions/tricky trays. Put your cards next to the item and advertise that way. Ask local mechanics if they ever have people come in asking for a detailer.. try to get the customers name who asked. Make a deal with a local mechanic and offer your details at a reduced rate to his customers. Have him spread the word that if people use him as a mechanic, they will also get a reduced detail or one with added benefits!

Now another question for all of you..

I am an amateur car detailer who would love to gain more knowledge in the field.. I would like to open a small mobile car detailing business later this spring.

I have a few questions for all of you amazing detailers with many years experience. Feel Free to answer and comment on each others answers!

1) When starting a car detailing business what method would you use to detail a cars paint (3-4 hours max)

2) What products can be used with a buffer in a 1 step process to make a cars paint glow? Examples: cleaner Wax? ultra cut compound?

3) When detailing a car how would you remove a stain from the carpets? Ceiling? What products or tools (extractor? Steamer?)

4) Are brands a big deal when opening a business? Or can I get moderately priced, non-harsh cleaners and waxes that still work the same? Any good reccomendations?

Thank you so much to all of you helpful detailers. Check back to comment on others answers! Give me advice if possible, as I am new to the business!
 
1) When starting a car detailing business what method would you use to detail a cars paint (3-4 hours max)

- I have 5 packages (4 if you exclude the matte finished package). All of them have the same cleaning regime, but as you pay more, thats when the paint correction comes into play.

2) What products can be used with a buffer in a 1 step process to make a cars paint glow? Examples: cleaner Wax? ultra cut compound?

Depends on the car really. I wouldn't say there is an all round one stepper. Most of the time I use FG400 or IS1500. it all depends on what the pad is and the paints hardness.

3) When detailing a car how would you remove a stain from the carpets? Ceiling? What products or tools (extractor? Steamer?)

On carpets and fabric seats I use an extractor with CG lightening fast stain extractor. Works well! Headliners I would use a tornador.

4) Are brands a big deal when opening a business? Or can I get moderately priced, non-harsh cleaners and waxes that still work the same? Any good reccomendations?

Well really its hard to pick out an exact tool/product line for all of your choices. I found that I tried and tried a huge amount of products until I found something that worked well and efficiently for me. My line includes Carpro, Megs, Opti, Einszett, CG, and everything else. Unfortunately what works for me might not for you, and vice versa.
 
MendhamCarSpa said:
If i were you I would definitely create a window sticker for your car... find out if there are any events such as carnivals, high school or college fundraisers (for teams etc) or tricky trays.. you can donate an item to one of them such as a slip for a free detail to one of the auctions/tricky trays. Put your cards next to the item and advertise that way. Ask local mechanics if they ever have people come in asking for a detailer.. try to get the customers name who asked. Make a deal with a local mechanic and offer your details at a reduced rate to his customers. Have him spread the word that if people use him as a mechanic, they will also get a reduced detail or one with added benefits!

Now another question for all of you..

I am an amateur car detailer who would love to gain more knowledge in the field.. I would like to open a small mobile car detailing business later this spring.

I have a few questions for all of you amazing detailers with many years experience. Feel Free to answer and comment on each others answers!

1) When starting a car detailing business what method would you use to detail a cars paint (3-4 hours max)

2) What products can be used with a buffer in a 1 step process to make a cars paint glow? Examples: cleaner Wax? ultra cut compound?

3) When detailing a car how would you remove a stain from the carpets? Ceiling? What products or tools (extractor? Steamer?)

4) Are brands a big deal when opening a business? Or can I get moderately priced, non-harsh cleaners and waxes that still work the same? Any good reccomendations?

Thank you so much to all of you helpful detailers. Check back to comment on others answers! Give me advice if possible, as I am new to the business!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the input and the hijack :-).

I can answer a couple.

I just did the interior on a car that is really stained. My steamer worked wonders especially on the seats and headliner stains. Not a cheap tool though.

I just got the XMT 360 polish and it does a really good job after clay bar.

Some cleaners you can get at Walmart, engine degreasers and the like. You want to use pro level car shampoo and that kind of stuff in my opinion. Meguiars is usually available retail though.
 
I'm in the same boat with many of the same questions. I think I'm going to start with smaller bottles of stuff then go gallons on what I like.
 
Go to car meets, car shows, anything car related with enthusiast present. Have your hood corrected on one side and swirled out to the max on the other. Have a small light with you so you can easily show the before and after. Then ask the person what car they have, and suggest a test spot on a panel of their car (I personally like to do the key handle area since theres a lot of scratches on there and they always notice that the most). Make sure the pad, mf towel, and bottle of product is clean and ready to use. Make more small talk about your services, and hand him your business card/phone number/website, et..
 
Congrats on getting everything in a row and be way more prepared than I was.:) With all that you have setup for advertising and marketing, YOU still need to be seen. The only real clients I have are from referrals/word of mouth, networking, and physically presenting myself to people and offering my services. I know it's a bit cold to be outside detailing, but the more you can be seen by people while detailing the more opportunity you have for them to see your work and seek your services. And if you notice people in the area where you are working taking notice of you, then go introduce yourself. Chances are they will ask you for a card and or and estimate. Take full advantage of every opportunity you have to sell yourself/business to people/groups in person. Most off the time it's free, or you spend your time not money, or you extend you time at a job which equals more free visibility. :)
I can count on one hand how many people have contacted me because they found me in a form of advertising I paid for, or from searching online for detailing. That said I can count on one finger how many people have found me in a paper for of advertising I paid a lot of money to be in said guide. What I'm saying is you need to know where people are going to look for your services and strategically put yourself/business in these locations. I was contacted by the Yellowpages online and they really track the who, what, when, and where of their listings to be able to you where would be best for you to advertise with them; which gave me a generalization of who, what, when, where people search online and in online phonebooks.
Hope this all was helpful.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using AG Online
 
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