Struggling to get customers

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Kial91

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Hi all, I've been running my detailing business part time since April this year but I'm finding it very hard to get customers.
I've had a fair few jobs, gained good reviews etc but theres no consistency in the work.
I'm currently using Facebook ads, posting on social media groups, flyers and posters.

How long did it take you to start gaining customers, should I be seeing more work come in by now? I feel the quality of my work is definitely up to the standards of other detailers in my area. My Instagram business account is kernowshinedetailing if anyone wanted to see.

Website is Car Detailer Gold Coast | Queensland | Kernow Shine Auto Detailing

Based in Australia

Thanks
 
Kial91 said:
I feel the quality of my work is definitely up to the standards of other detailers in my area.


Thanks
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A: It takes some time

B: Don't judge on other detailers' standards, exceed their quality and do better work.
 
The work stops coming in once the fb ads stop. Its sort of a machine where you have the consistently feed it type of situation which does not work out in the long run.

I would shift the focus onto making your yelp page as good as possible. And work on your google my business listing. Both yelp and google will bring you much more renevue and exposure than fb organically without paying.

You can be the best detailer in your area, but its useless if no one knows who you are. Work on your exposure logistics first to bring in customers. That should be your main focus for now.
 
I've been doing daily posts, used to get a lot of people messaging me but only a few ended up actually purchasing. Now like no one messages me.
I'll take your advice though and try work on the exposure etc
Thanks
 
Not currently offering coatings as a service. Thanks though
 
Kial91 said:
Not currently offering coatings as a service. Thanks though
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Call him up, say yes, learn how, then do the gig.

If you’re a detailer worth their salt then you’ll do a top job.

Adapt to the market. Ceramic coatings will make you more money than detailing alone.
 
How many cars have you detailed per month since starting in April?
How many of the customers have you reached back out to to follow up for their next detail? Follow up with the two who wrote your google reviews and facebook page, especially since they were pleased with your work, and offer them discounts for referring new clients your way.
Have you suggested a maintenance plan to any of your customers or thought about offering it?
Have you contacted any business parks in your area? Local gyms? etc.

I looked through your website and saw a few things that could be updated and changed to be a little clearer and more SEO-friendly. I tried to search on google for "car detailing Gold Coast Queensland" and "car detailing Gold Coast" but your listing did not show up in either google places or the first 3 pages of the google search engine results page. Searches for these terms have 1K – 10K a month, if you can get onto the first page of google results page and local google places you will be in a good spot to get more prospective clients.

I would recommend you look into Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in order to bring in more clients who are naturally searching for auto detailing in Gold Coast.
 
I get most of my customer business through word of mouth and do this part time. Doing this part time I really only like to take a few cars a month and usually bigger correcting jobs. However, i think a lot of the way to get customers could still be the same whether doing it part time or full time depending on how busy you want to be.

To insure you are getting web traffic as mentioned utilize SEO, Facebook, Instagram, Yelp, Google to help promote your brand. A blog attached to your site is also a good way to build your online presence and you can write small articles and share your work through the blog. This will help with your web presence quite a lot. My only issue with Yelp is that they will nag you with phone calls to get you on a paid marketing/ boosting plan. I know people who do it and get results and then the moment they stop paying their results decrease.

To the point of web traffic you also want a way to capture leads that visit your site that you then have the opportunity to turn into clients. So having a web page is great but being able to capture leads is even better and is what converts to $$$. Email subscription with a 10% off a detail service or a free gift for signing up to receive a newsletter. It may seem gimmicky but it works. You are now creating a target list of potential clients you can begin reaching out to through email and sending them examples of your work when you turn that car around and make it look amazing. Share that work with your leads and current customers.

Referral programs with existing customers is a nice way to bring in additional/ new business. You can determine what works best from an incentive. Giving them a discount % off next service or a small gift if they bring you a new customer. Whatever you think would work best.

Hit the car shows, auto expo's etc. and promote yourself. Sometimes you have to do grass roots style marketing to bring in the right customers. Get flyers and business cards printed of your before/ after work and the services you offer and hand them out and talk to people. You never know you may just meet some people who are very interested and looking for someone. If they have the car there take a look at it and do the free consultation and tell them how you can help bring their vehicle to the next level with your skill set.

The key is to consistently keep promoting yourself so your target customers do not forget who you are. Everybody has their day to day lives which are filled with tons of things and usually having the car detailed is the last thing someone may think about but that does not mean they do not need the service. It just may not be at the fore front of their minds at the time. You have to keep reminding people you are out there and ready to serve them in a detailing capacity.

Another thing I noticed on your site is that you accept cash only. You may want to look into Paypal/Venmo as options of payment unless when you say cash you also mean cash apps. Try to make it convenient for your customers to pay you.
 
I forgot to mention referrals through local businesses is a great way as well. I saw you have a "Recommended Service Partners" on your site which is a great way to promote local businesses around you. You should be ensuring they are doing the same for you. Hit up the local shops and show them your work. Keep flyers and business cards with them and ask them to help promote you to their customers for detailing.
 
Our business really took off when we started using Google AdWords. I don't know if that's available in AU, but it definitely pays for itself many, many times over. Our monthly budget is probably covered by the second working day of the month. It seems expensive but there's simply no better way to reach customers.
 
you already did the first step , by realizing that is not working and not so easy. time to put a new strategy in place, go kick some doors , let people know what are you up to, network is a good tool , people buy people.
go where the money are, rethink your business plan so you have your schedule booked with maintenance washes, invest in a van and wrap it. brand your business and build it as one , not just a job.
you may need to re-invest some of the profit and as other said will take time to build.
 
I can help you... but you need to go to Mobile Tech Expo and take at least one of my classes....

Here's my list of classes for 2019

2019 Mobile Tech Expo Classes & Detail Competition!


Here's the class you want to take...


Class 7: How to Become THE Recognized Detailing Expert in Your Home Town, plus How to use the New Vehicle Inspection Forms.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Time: 5pm- 6pm
Instructor: Mike Phillips


:)
 
For a guy from Australia, I would think coming to Orlando to take a 1 hour class when your business is already struggling would be a non starter. Maybe I'm wrong.
 
sudsmobile said:
For a guy from Australia, I would think coming to Orlando to take a 1 hour class when your business is already struggling would be a non starter. Maybe I'm wrong.
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Officer Mike please escort this Killjoy out of our meeting please lol. I'm kidding I'm kidding. Sometimes you maybe right but you have to pick your battles. Young Warrior

Sent from my SM-N950U using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
ClearVue18 said:
Officer Mike please escort this Killjoy out of our meeting please lol. I'm kidding I'm kidding. Sometimes you maybe right but you have to pick your battles. Young Warrior

Sent from my SM-N950U using Autogeekonline mobile app
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God your obnoxious. I'm old enough to be your super wealthy father. And let's not argue about the sometimes I might be right aspect because frankly I'm almost always right and someday when your sack drops you will be too. Young Warrior. ;)
 
HTML: 
CONTACT US FOR ANYMORE INFORMATION ON OUR SERVICES OR TO MAKE A BOOKING

This wording does not endear anyone to you. Change it around to booking a service first and delete "any".
For instance:

Please contact me to make an appointment or for further information.

If that doesn't translate to Aussie then "Please contact me to book our services or for further information"

I'm not saying that's perfect but it beats what you have currently.
 
sudsmobile said:
God your obnoxious. I'm old enough to be your super wealthy father. And let's not argue about the sometimes I might be right aspect because frankly I'm almost always right and someday when your sack drops you will be too. Young Warrior. ;)
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Hahaha🤣🤣. It's funny because you really believe that. Older wealthy father . Yes just make sure you tip your waitress pop. That made me giggle not even laugh just giggle. Sack drops boy you on ur way lol

Sent from my SM-N950U using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
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