The most important question, getting customers

SON1C

SON1C

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How do you get the ball rolling? How do you get customers (quality ones too) , not the guys that say well i could take it to the car wash for $17
 
Get some business cards made up and get some tshirts made. Also spread the word around work on what you do. Hopefully you can get a car from a coworker and impress him, and then others will see and hear from them and not just you. Dont worry about the 17 dollar guys.
 
Go to local car shows wear a shirt with your business name on it bring business cards and flyers. The car owners that are there will car about their cars appearance compared to your average person.
 
Design a quality website and AdWords the heck out of that mofo.

I just opened an AdWords campaign and I went from doing 1 car a month on avg to having 4 jobs this week. I have a full time (40+ hr) job so I have always had to turn down detail jobs that can't wait for my availability. I REALLY want to move into detailing full time and have recently focused my efforts on making my dream a reality.

Anyway there are tons of ways to get your name out there but if you want customers RIGHT NOW, online marketing is pretty awesome.
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
Design a quality website and AdWords the heck out of that mofo.

I just opened an AdWords campaign and I went from doing 1 car a month on avg to having 4 jobs this week. I have a full time (40+ hr) job so I have always had to turn down detail jobs that can't wait for my availability. I REALLY want to move into detailing full time and have recently focused my efforts on making my dream a reality.

Anyway there are tons of ways to get your name out there but if you want customers RIGHT NOW, online marketing is pretty awesome.
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How does adwords work? Really interested in this. Feel free to send me. A PM if need be. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using AG Online
 
Jomax said:
How does adwords work? Really interested in this. Feel free to send me. A PM if need be. Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using AG Online
Click to expand...

You know... a few people have asked me how this works. You have inspired me. Expect an official "AdWords Marketing Guide For Detailers" coming soon to an AGO forum near you.
 
SON1C said:
How do you get the ball rolling? How do you get customers (quality ones too) , not the guys that say well i could take it to the car wash for $17
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I only approach ppl whose cars are already in good shape. I learned along time ago you can't make someone change their habits of driving a funky car around all the time. Plus working on garbage everyday gets old real fast...

I also suggest you ask God to help you find whatever it is that he wants you to do with your life. Its later then you think...
 
There is no perfect answer but here are some ideas and things that worked for me...

Sponsor local forums
Hit medical parks, attorney offices
Performance shops
High end dealerships
Get out and talk with anyone who will listen

If you can just manage to get a few details, good results from someone working hard will spread like wild fire.

If you want to avoid clients who want a lot done for nothing then set your prices appropriately.

What have you done so far to get clients?
 
I'm having the same issue here. People will hit me up asking about getting their car done. We'll agree on a price and then they don't call me up. I'd rather you tell me "naw...thats too much and I can't do it" than have me wait by the phone for you to call and book the appointment. People think just because there's a high volume $20 car wash/hack job down the street, that I'm that same person...NO...it takes me roughly 3 hours to wash my car, so no...you won't have your car back in 30 minutes!

I think, for the most part, you'll have better luck with word of mouth. My last customer has been spreading the word. She was very satisfied with the interior detail I did for her a month ago, and she brought it back to have a few scratches and chips filled in. I ended up washing her car and then filling in the chips. She was really happy with the outcome.

When my fiancee's community had a yard sale last year, I made up some fliers using MS Word and the brochure template. It took me about a day or so to design it and then I took it to Kinko's to print off. Paid about $26 for the job.

Good luck man.
 
Word of mouth, nothing more, nothing less. Keeps the bullshitters away, and you know if they hit you up, they're serious.
 
I see that you are in the same area as I am. I'm going to give you some great advice. Customers love it when you don't call them back, and insult them to their faces. Just remember that, and you will be busy forever.........
 
What I did was start talking about it on my personal Facebook page. I said who would be interested to my friends and like the page and I was flooded.

When I did my first vehicle http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/50745-first-detail-job-2004-dodge-durango.html I didn't baulk about charging them a lot even though it was a tough job. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do a great job since I haven't detailed in a while and to show my work. Now the next weekend (tomorrow) I have my next job already scheduled.

As I put my packages together and have already demonstrated and documented it through Facebook (posting pictures as I go along) I think the customers will understand why I don't charge $17 for a detail and explain why a proper detail is worth what we charge. The ones that want to pay $17 let them walk, I would try to educate them but if they don't listen then don't waste your time..
 
RZJZA80 said:
Word of mouth, nothing more, nothing less. Keeps the bullshitters away, and you know if they hit you up, they're serious.
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:iagree:
I do this as a hobby. Started with my car then doing family then friends cars. Eventually people notice your work and start to contact you
 
Flannigan said:
I see that you are in the same area as I am. I'm going to give you some great advice. Customers love it when you don't call them back, and insult them to their faces. Just remember that, and you will be busy forever.........
Click to expand...

Ahhh the joys of loving in the Northern Virginia area!
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
You know... a few people have asked me how this works. You have inspired me. Expect an official "AdWords Marketing Guide For Detailers" coming soon to an AGO forum near you.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, I'm in the development stages of my new site as well. Also, thinking about search engine optimization (SEO) along with Face Book ads. Is your article up yet?
 
A good place to start would be to goto car shows and sell yourself to the car guys. They are the ones that dont mind spending money on their cars. You have to practice on your selling skills though, you dont want to tell them how bad their car is, rather how you can make it better. Seriously have a friend or family member be the customer and you try to sell yourself to them and practice your selling skills. 80% of running a business is being a salesman NOT a good detailer!

Once you get a customer base you will be set!
 
Another idea for your arsenal:
If you are mobile - Set up an "A frame" sign next you as you are working something along the lines of: Car washed and shined by XXXX (your business name) with your phone and website.
It will promote your business and educate the neighbors on what you are doing and will probably reduce the amounts wisecraks you get from passers by.


If you are fixed. make sure you have a sign with your name, and website that lists your services and the basic package price - maybe with a compelling offer, like: Come in for a FREE paint and interior diagnostic!

Most people don't know what "detailing" means. it will help you get people to know the business and "weed-out the tire kickers".
 
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