Tips for names and advertising

Mr.GoodCat

Mr.GoodCat

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Hey everbody, I'm new here. I'm in the process of starting a little detailing project for the summer and maybe longer depending on the success of it. I've come up with the name DR. Detail (suggestions and comments please), and I was wondering what are some of the more successful ways of getting your name out there? Without useing much money in advertising? Also what is the best to to approach defferent types of costumers?
 
1st - Welcome!

As for Dr. Detail...That name is already taken by more than one detailing company. There is one in Boston actually (just google Dr. Detail). So keep thinking of names.

To get some advertising, you can use facebook, myspace, craigslist. Those are all free. Get your friends to help you out. Have business cards made (once you figure out a name) and hit up the local businesses and sub shops. Ask if you can leave some cards there for people to pick up.

Local bulletin boards (if you can find any) are a good place too.
 
Hey Mr.goodcat, first off, Welcome to AGO! your in the right place

Now as far as the business name "DR.Detail", in my opinion it does not really tell the customer what you can do for them and also is a bit un original. I did the liberty of checking the domain name as well and it seems DrDetail.com and .net are taken.

to give you an idea let me share with you how i came up with "VIP Reflections"... I thought about how a customer wants to be treated, Hence VIP. when people hear it they say, "im a VIP". and What do customers want to see from my services? There reflection in their shiny paint. So maybe name your business according to what you can offer the customer and the "TYPE" of customer you are trying to reach.

Business card and fliers are a good start. You can create a craigslist add.the #1 way though in my opinion, word of mouth. Talk to people... Friends, co-workers or fam.. this should be ideal for you to sell yourself in person since you do not want to spend too much $ in marketing and your going part time to start...

i will give you a secret that worked for me.
Target= Women. I created a pretty flier with girly colors and bold lettering to place in a local beauty salan . The fliers said, You look amazing! but what about your car?? its time to give your baby the attention she deserves! on the reverse side i have my biz name, #, full service detail packages with an incentive for each one. a $20 gift certificate to the very hair Salan she is in when she gets a full service package. so say they want to come back to get their nails done, something clicks in their pretty little heads...

here is a thread i found useful
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ps-starting-part-time-detailing-business.html

a few months ago i was in the same place you were, and the search engine on this site was my best friend. i did sooooooo much research. I am also part time working from home and soon to go mobile. so send me a pm and keep in touch, we'll talk business and help each other out.

-Frank
 
i will give you a secret that worked for me. Target= Women. I created a pretty flier with girly colors and bold lettering to place in a local beauty salan . The fliers said said:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-make-money-detailing-cars/27827-few-tips-starting-part-time-detailing-business.html[/URL]
Click to expand...

That is pretty clever I must say! :props:
 
Mr.GoodCat said:
Hey everbody, I'm new here. I'm in the process of starting a little detailing project for the summer and maybe longer depending on the success of it. I've come up with the name DR. Detail (suggestions and comments please), and I was wondering what are some of the more successful ways of getting your name out there? Without useing much money in advertising? Also what is the best to to approach defferent types of costumers?
Click to expand...


Here's a few articles that relate to your question... more articles in my article list and the link for that is in my Signature Line.


Business and Promotion

Expose yourself for more business...

A few tips on starting a part-time detailing business

How to put up a website for about $20.00 a year

Tips for using a discussion forum to reach more customers...

Brand Yourself, Brand your Forum Nickname and Brand your Business Name <------- Check this one out


How to choose a name for your detailing business <------- Check this one out




And welcome to Autogeek Online!


:welcome:
 
VIP Reflections, and the rest of y'all thanks for all the help guys. I really like the way you think. I as well would like to take it to the mobile level if I can get it there. I will keep thinking of names.

As far as targeting different types of people (soccor moms, car enthusiasts, fleet companys) Is it kind of the same deal as targeting women in salons? Or is there other steps I can take?

I'm really enjoying this forum I've learned some much and its great to have other people in one place that are into clean cars as much as I am.
Everytime I try to upload my pics it says it won't work, any suggestions?
 
As far as targeting different types of people you really need to think about the type of people your looking at. If your looking to target soccer moms the the hair salon method may be a way to go. If your looking at fleets your going to have to go to them and really sell them on your details. Means you may have to cut your prices down because they may bring you more business. If your looking at show cars you may want to think about hitting up some car shows, or car clubs. That's where you'll really get some of that business.

This forum has so much to offer it's ridiculous! I've learned so much from the experts here that I can't thank everyone enough. Mike Phillips is always has great articles, but he's not the only one that will offer you advice. Others on the forum who have years of detailing experience are always willing to help out whenever it is asked. You may find that sometimes there are different opinions when it comes to products, but I can guarantee you the advice and tips are always top notch!

You'll soon realize that as you explore the forum more.
 
Glad i can help.. and btw... Nice G Coupe in your PIC. i got an 05 6MT myself. this is my G.. its still a WIP
Picture016-1.jpg

G003.jpg
 
So I had a few Names I wanted to run by you all. All input is good input!

Grime To Shine Auto Detailing
Detail Oriented
Attention to Detail
 
Attention to Detail is already taken. As for the others have you tried googling them?
 
Mr.good cat im in the same place as you ive been stumped on the whole name thing. I've been doing friends and family cars for over a year and everyone is asking for a buisness card or something they can give other people so ive realy been trying to think of something. i LIKE the ideas vip reflections is using quite thoughtful. grime to shine sound cool Oh and nice shot on the G's guys, i like the black rims vip!
 
Grime to Shine sounds excellent IMO. I have not seen anyone with a name like that yet.
 
Grime 2 Shine Detailing is a company based in Lincoln, NE.

Just as an FYI. Whenever you think of a name just google it and you'll find weather it's used or not.
 
Simply because someone else is using a business name does not mean you cannot use it. Consider "Joe's Plumbing". You'll find dozens of business named that way all over the US. As long as the name has not acquired a "secondary meaning" (ie, it is associated with a particular service or goods (like Heinz or Best Buy) and the public will not be deceived into thinking you are someone else, you can use it. I would pick a name that is not in my region - ie, a similar named business is not within, say, 200 mi of me, or preferably even in the same state.
 
HeavyMetal said:
Simply because someone else is using a business name does not mean you cannot use it.
Click to expand...

That's true... a person would want to look into any trademark issues with some names.

I checked grimetoshine.com and grime2shine.com and they both appear to be taken.

I'm a big fan of making sure your choice of business name is also something you can register as a domain name, but it's not mandatory. You can also use .net or one of the other extensions if the .com is taken.


:)
 
You can also check your State's dept of business/regulation. Florida has an online name look up for ficticious names, agents, corps, etc. I think as long as you are good to go in your home state it doesnt matter nationally. Business registrations vary by state and locality. I simply have to register as a DBA with my state. That is simply to get a Federal T.I.N. I have the option to go S-Corp, LLC, Inc, etc.

Mike is right on about the website matching your company. When I set up mine I had to drop the word "The" to get a website with my company name. It works for me though.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
That's true... a person would want to look into any trademark issues with some names.

I checked grimetoshine.com and grime2shine.com and they both appear to be taken.

I'm a big fan of making sure your choice of business name is also something you can register as a domain name, but it's not mandatory. You can also use .net or one of the other extensions if the .com is taken.
:)
Click to expand...

Yup, good idea. However there are ways around that. Consider Precision Detailing. The dot com is registered. But you can always add your state or city to the end or beginning (or any other qualifier) and come up with (for example) bobsprecisiondetailing.com or precisiondetailingpa.com Anyone googling precision detailing will see both.
 
HeavyMetal said:
Yup, good idea. However there are ways around that. Consider Precision Detailing. The dot com is registered. But you can always add your state or city to the end or beginning (or any other qualifier) and come up with (for example) bobsprecisiondetailing.com or precisiondetailingpa.com Anyone googling precision detailing will see both.
Click to expand...

Great tips!

One thing for sure, before anyone starts really investing time and money into building their name or brand, you just want to make sure you have your ducks in a row... you never know where your hard work will take you...


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
One thing for sure, before anyone starts really investing time and money into building their name or brand, you just want to make sure you have your ducks in a row...
Click to expand...

Bingo Mike. One of the many things I do as part of my job is branding - mainly for the web, but really any type of advertising. Think out your branding carefully. Different styles of naming, graphics and colors will appeal to different people. The "Joes' Plumbing" type of name appeals more to lower wage earners than higher. "Precision Detailing" type naming would have fairly broad appeal as would a unique naming like "SeaJay's" (gee, wonder where I got that one). Something like "Presidential" or "Custom Detailing" would appeal more to higher wage earners.

Be careful with your branding, you're gonna wear it till death.
 
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