Setting up booth at malls

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Ryansdetailing

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If you were to setup a booth at a mall for an event(home and garden show) what would you do? And take? I am the ONLY mobile detailer in my area so this is a huge opportunity for me to meet potential customers and let people know about our services. I am absolutely stumped..i dont want to just hand out business cards.
 
I wouldnt go over the top with fancy cards, tables, or anything. My biggest thing would be trying to get some time with the people interested and listening to their concerns. I would get their attention by having a few panels their along with a machine, pads, and product. Also bring along some 3000 grit sandpaper and show whats you can do by removing the marks.
 
Ryansdetailing said:
If you were to setup a booth at a mall for an event(home and garden show) what would you do? And take? I am the ONLY mobile detailer in my area so this is a huge opportunity for me to meet potential customers and let people know about our services. I am absolutely stumped..i dont want to just hand out business cards.
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Bring a panel with before and after 50/50 same for a headlight. Get a junk yard small hood and headlight do a 50/50 on it then bring it for the demo. Bring a couple polishers ie RB, DA's plus pads. Bucket with grit guard, MF towels, unique tools ie tornado, extractor etc. Portfolio of before and after pictures.

Maybe bring some product compound, glaze, wax so interested people can feel the difference in solutions. Have business cards, print flyers with first time coupon discount.
 
smack said:
I wouldnt go over the top with fancy cards, tables, or anything.
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That exactly what you should have. This isn't a show for detailers, buffing panels isn't going to get you any business. What you need to do is make people aware that such a service exists, that you will come to their home/work and clean their car. Most of them don't realize such a service exists. They will walk right by a "booth" with someone buffing a car panel, they won't connect that with anything in their lives.
 
I couldnt agree more Setec. Most people in my area want a clean and shiny vehicle. I do about 3-5 paint correction a month. The reason im going to this is to let people know this service does exist! Im going to get a discount card made up for first time customers. Anything else anyone can think of now that you have information on what im trying to accomplish. What kind of discount would you give?
 
rmagnus said:
Bring a panel with before and after 50/50 same for a headlight. Get a junk yard small hood and headlight do a 50/50 on it then bring it for the demo. Bring a couple polishers ie RB, DA's plus pads. Bucket with grit guard, MF towels, unique tools ie tornado, extractor etc. Portfolio of before and after pictures.
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:iagree::iagree::iagree:

The more WOW factor you give the better off you will be. Pictures are great but if you have something that you can put in their face then they will get the true visual. Anything in the auto business is all about building value so giving a visual will build value in you!

Not sure what kind of room you have but if there is room get the whole dang car in there. LOL.
 
Here's a tip from a retired detailer and marketing genius on another forum: "I did it again, we had a town festival last week, and I paid $50 for a 10 foot by 10 foot space. I set up my display, and put out a jug with a sign saying "raffle, you must play to win!" had people put in their name and phone number at the end of the day I had 80 names. Guess who won? EVERYBODY!!!! I called everyone and told them they won $25 off a complete detail, if 25% of them call for an appointment, that means I win too. so far made 4 appointments, which more than paid for the booth"
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Here's a tip from a retired detailer and marketing genius on another forum: "I did it again, we had a town festival last week, and I paid $50 for a 10 foot by 10 foot space. I set up my display, and put out a jug with a sign saying "raffle, you must play to win!" had people put in their name and phone number at the end of the day I had 80 names. Guess who won? EVERYBODY!!!! I called everyone and told them they won $25 off a complete detail, if 25% of them call for an appointment, that means I win too. so far made 4 appointments, which more than paid for the booth"
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Wow. Ingenious.

Guess I was wrong about my above post.
 
No discount Only give value added services Free wax upgrade or something along those lines Keep the money in your pocket...
 
The 50/50 panel, not a bad idea really. But I'd have as much print material and as many photos displayed as I possibly could. The idea of "everybody wins" is pure genius! My wife has done that with Mary Kay forever (first heard about something like that when I was a kid).

Signs and banners of product are a plus, people see a brand they've seen before and it makes them comfortable. Remember the first time you smelled ONR? ;) Products on hand help them understand what they are getting. You can bet that 99 of 100 have NEVER seen a big thick MF towel. Might want to have some handy (even if they are just hanging where they can feel them). What's the saying... "Baffle them with brilliance and befuddle them with BullShi#"

Still like the 'before and after' stuff just to show what is possible. Sometimes photos are not the best way to display the difference either. Only you can decide what would look right, and what looks like a con artist.

Might be fun to have a panel there to let the public 'practice' on to see what they can do with it. Then you take over and whip it into shape right before their eyes. :) Just don't want to be like the new car show guys and put flames on the paint to show how tough your new 'miracle finish' is. Just gauge their interest by if they are willing to try and work on it themselves. Heck for that matter put two side by side and get them to race each other. :dunno: Sounds like fun. ;)

Bottom line is you recognize that there is a market in your area and you are ready to capitalize on that market. I've been thinking some of the same things here. There just isn't anyone locally, other than the 'tunnel of doom' car washes. To be honest, I bet that'd be a GREAT place to get work. Park outside the car wash and tell everyone that drives out how bad their car looks!!! :laughing:
 
50/50 panels would be your customer persuasion
 
I like the 50/50 idea, but I'd carry it a bit further. Have a body panel propped up near vertical on an easel. Tape it off in three diagonal sections, labelled before, one-step cleaning and full correction. Business cards are OK, but an 8 1/2 X 11 flyer with basic menu pricing and some value-added coupons at the bottom of the page are less likely to be pocketed and discarded. If you're interested in doing interior work, a 50/50 seat cushion might be valuable also,as well as a headlight.

Bill
 
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