How to get more clients?

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Usmc0311

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Hi I am new to the detailing business and also this website. I was wondering what guys are using to get more clients. I live in New England so the weather here is tough. I paid $300 for an ad in the paper for 3 months and got nothing. I usual stay pretty busy with word of mouth which some say is the best. A family member gave me a gift card to vista print so i'm not sure what else advertising wise would help. i have tshirts and obvioulsy business cards. We are in the middle of winter here so im looking to get everything set and ready for early spring. I still have my regular clients but id like to stay busy. Thanks for any advice
 
Usmc0311 said:
Hi I am new to the detailing business and also this website. I was wondering what guys are using to get more clients. I live in New England so the weather here is tough. I paid $300 for an ad in the paper for 3 months and got nothing. I usual stay pretty busy with word of mouth which some say is the best. A family member gave me a gift card to vista print so i'm not sure what else advertising wise would help. i have tshirts and obvioulsy business cards. We are in the middle of winter here so im looking to get everything set and ready for early spring. I still have my regular clients but id like to stay busy. Thanks for any advice
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I feel your pain as im in the same boat. I seem to get almost all my new customers from word of mouth and my advertising brings in very few new customers. I have a full time regular job and just do detailing on my days off during the winter.

Maybe look over these articles..best of luck..

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...cars/28331-expose-yourself-more-business.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ng-discussion-forum-reach-more-customers.html
 
Instead of the normal advertising you could try google adsense. You know when you google car detailing in your location how the first two links come up highlighted and are ads? Well to get your business in those two links, you have to advertise through adsense
 
I have found that networking, word of mouth, referrals, and face time with potential clients are the only methods that consistently get me business/clients. Papers and phone books are a waste of money in almost every comparison to feedback. You need to find and isolate your market in your area and focus your advertising efforts directly towards those people and or businesses. If you haven't already, read Denny Doyle's book. I recommend buying it(but if you've spent all your money on ads then you can find it at the public library). Renny talks in detail about marketing towards your niche market, and what form has been most effective for him, and recommended by professionals in the marketing/advertising business.
Think about what forms of advertising actually get your attention, you respond to, and you make a purchase due to said advertising. If there isn't one periodical (newspaper, magazine, etc.) that crosses your mind when you think about that then what makes you think all the money in the world on newspaper ads is ever gonna give you the clients/business you are wanting?...
Hope this is insightful and doesn't come across the wrong way.


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I have gotten all my business from word of mouth. I wouldn't spend a penny on advertisement. You need to show people your work and put your self out there. I put my business on yelp,google and manta none of them got me business. I net work a lot I go to car shows and meets which has gotten me to a lot of business. Get business cards build a website it's pretty cheap and easy todo I built mine and know nothing about building a website. Show before and after pictures do people can see your work. The old say goes a picture is worth a thousand words.
 
I have read of a few guys that setup facebook accounts and after so many likes facebook gives you some advertising? dont quote me but i know i read something about that somewhere... might be worth looking into.

I do not detail full time just here and there for the guys i work with and i have had a few guys ask if i have made a vinyl sticker. They would sport that in there back window for me. "Corrected by Mr. ####'s Detail" ( looking into it now even if it dosent pull anything extra still gets people talking)
 
Yes Facebook is good and it's free once you get 30 likes you get a web address.
 
Like what has been said, word of mouth, website (with good SEO), craigslist and knocking on doors and introducing yourself. I'm trying to get facebook going now. You have to use every opportunity that comes your way to get your name out there and in time it will pay off. :buffing:
 
HellaBroke said:
I have read of a few guys that setup facebook accounts and after so many likes facebook gives you some advertising? dont quote me but i know i read something about that somewhere... might be worth looking into.

I do not detail full time just here and there for the guys i work with and i have had a few guys ask if i have made a vinyl sticker. They would sport that in there back window for me. "Corrected by Mr. ####'s Detail" ( looking into it now even if it dosent pull anything extra still gets people talking)
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After 400 "likes" on Facebook, you can make an "offer," or coupon, available to all those who like you.
 
There is a guy who is a guru of direct marketing named Dan Kennedy. You can google him to find his books, website, and local marketing groups in most states where business owners share ideas.
I hope I can mention that in the forum, I have no affiliation whatsoever and am not trying to sell anything to anyone here, but i have used his methods and seen value in them. I have been self employed providing professional services before and know how difficult the process of obtaining quality clients and building a small business can be.
 
Do you have a website? it is not clear from your post. If you do not have a website you need to get one up and running before winter ends. I am in New England too. I am investing $500 into additional marketing over the winter so I will be busy as soon as winter ends. I bought a sidewalk a frame sign(you can see it on my Facebook page I just posted it) I am also re doing my business cards on nicer stock. And finally making a bi fold mailer/menu that will be mailer to all my customers mid march.

Again the website is a must.
 
One thing I do with new customers is when I'm done with the car I leave a business card in the car. That way they remember you and can give it to a friend.
 
I feel your pain. I spent $200 on a youth football program that was supposedly circulated at every single game of the season. I had a 10% off coupon and was the only detailer featured. I got ZERO responses. Not even an inquiry. Print media is worthless in my opinion.

If you have a website you should check into AdWords marketing on Google (or other search engines like Yahoo/Bing). It is the only form of advertising I have found that can generate guaranteed responses that turn into booked appointments that turns into cash in your pocket.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum.../50415-adwords-marketing-guide-detailers.html
 
I am a paying sponsor on 1 discussion forum where the return is obvious for me. Beyond that at this time I do not pay for advertising.

nothing beats word of mouth referrals and networking

a decent website with good SEO is a must. My business that isn't related to word of mouth often comes from my website

Every car I do gets a 12oz stadium cup with my logo for holding loose change. in there is the invoice (with my logo) multiple business cards, and a magnet for the fridge (again with my logo & web address). People like free stuff and you stick around for awhile if you get space on the fridge or if they actually use the cup to hold change
 
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