Business Cards on Windshields?

[JKansas]

So if you are in a line of business that involves personal sales and service, is it acceptable or offensive to place your card on the windshield of someone you think could benefit from your services?

Examples are if you have an independent auto service shop specializing in European cars, would it be okay to place your card with a short message on a well taken care of Mercedes in a parking lot?

If you're in the tires business placing a card on the lifted jeep?

If you are in the health care industry placing your card on a handicapped accssible vehicle?

I was just wondering if people would find this offensive? I don't think I would, I'm used ot seeing flyers on my windshield at larger event. I glance and toss them in the passenger seat. I don't know how others feel about it and thought i'd toss the idea out and get some feedback!

[DayTrader]

You already got your answer. When you receive fliers on your windshield, you said that you just toss it onto your passenger seat. With this statement, it is either you will read it afterward or just forget about it. People will read it if it caught their interest or if they have a present need of the products or services offered in the flier. If not, they will just discard them. Between a colorful flier and a business card, I think a flier will get my attention more. You can write more relevant and appealing information on a flier than on a small business card. Fliers are also cheaper.

[JKansas]

It's true fliers are cheaper, but I think someone leaving you a business card feels more... Idk personal, professional to me. Am I crazy? As far as the discard, yes that's what I do, I usually glance at it and occasionally I have actually used them. But that is me! I didn't know if others would think that this was disresepctful, rude, etc.... giving my business a bad name to that person instead of good.

The situations I listed are pretty high end users wih consistent needs. A car needs to be serviced at least every year for a Mercedes and it seems to run about $1200 for that service. An off roader or racer can need tires every season or more at $500 and up a set. A disabled user often needs equipment repaired or replaced every 6 months to a year with a pretty high cost for both. All of these are not necesarily major decisions, but definitely significant and I would think even them seeing your name and tossing it aside would be a good start towards their business. I think I have my cards down to like $.04 each with bulk so it's not much money and very little time. The note on the card would be simple, "Let me know if I can help you with your service/tire/equipment needs." or something to that effect. But being hand written I think would make it more personal in a business where personal sales are huge.

Just throwing out a thought. It came to me when I went to the grocery store the other day and saw an immaculate SL650 AMG. I thought that if you were an inependent shop you would love to have his business, he babies the car as he should which is very expensive. The owner doesn't want to feel pressured, but if he's not totally happy with the dealer or it's prices and he finds a card with a genuine note on it, he may be inclined to call when his next service is due. Even if he doesn't, he at least has seen your name in case he ever does become unhappy with his service at the dealer and goes looking down the road.

[c9consulting]

Make sure there is no solicitation rule in that particular parking lot, or establishment.

[sep]

Also, just the local City and Town laws, some may fine you for it.

[Lemman]

So if you are in a line of business that involves personal sales and service, is it acceptable or offensive to place your card on the windshield of someone you think could benefit from your services?

Examples are if you have an independent auto service shop specializing in European cars, would it be okay to place your card with a short message on a well taken care of Mercedes in a parking lot?

If you're in the tires business placing a card on the lifted jeep?

If you are in the health care industry placing your card on a handicapped accssible vehicle?

I was just wondering if people would find this offensive? I don't think I would, I'm used ot seeing flyers on my windshield at larger event. I glance and toss them in the passenger seat. I don't know how others feel about it and thought i'd toss the idea out and get some feedback!

It makes sense, seeing that you know your business' market. I don't think it's offensive. But the problem is, does your business card have what it takes to keep the person receiving it interested? Or would he just throw it away???

[nicolebeckett]

I'm not sure 'offensive' is the right word... 'non-descript' maybe? Whenever someone leaves something on my windshield, I just throw it away. I can honestly say that I've never used the services of anyone who left a flier or card on my windshield, and I'm sure there are plenty of others in the same boat. With something like that, it seems like such a crap shoot. I feel like most of your work would be in vain.

[DayTrader]

A lot of companies does this windshield thing. I guess it's effective. You won't get everybody to call you, but at least you get somebody's attention. I read fliers depending on the creativity of it. Some people likes reading fliers and brochures, some do not. If it's not too much cost for you, go try it.

[thebizkidd]

Sure, you may get some action by spamming your business card on cars who you "think" may be interested in your business, but don't you think a more targeted approach would land you better results? Whenever I am talking with someone who I feel I can service, I provide a card if I think they want more. However, I never solicit my cards to random people. Just as I hate finding ads on my car, I respect others by not soliciting my business to them through the same avenue.

Here are my favorite ways to get targeted leads==>> Web Site Traffic Generation

[BizDoc]

It's probably best not to irritate your prospects. As someone said in a post on a related forum, word of mouth can work against you more quickly than it will for you. Have you polled your current clients and found out how they found out about you? What do they read, where do they shop, where and how do they get their information?

Develop a marketing plan to identify ideal client and the develop an advertising campaign to attract more of 'em. Read more here: Ingenious Business: simple Marketing, pt ii

CHeers!