Started Auto Mobile Detailing Business, what would be the best place to market it ?

[21elnegocio]

Well im barely starting my mobile auto detailing business, I know at first it will be tough building my clientele. So far ive posted ads on craiglist, put ads on apartments mailboxes, on car windshields at parking lots like the mall. What else do you guys recommend to advertise my services, and yes we do quality work.

[21elnegocio]

Heres my link to it on craiglist

Get Your Shine On Mobile Auto Detailing

[21elnegocio]

Ive posted my ad on craigslist. backpage, yellowpages, google maps, yahoo locals , and some flyer passing out around my neighborhood

[21elnegocio]

Anyone ??......

[thepremiumdotca]

I'd start with looking for Automotive Enthusiast Forums in your area, although it might seem crazy I'd recommend you offer your services for free to begin with on these boards, they most likely have a few businesses or individuals on there already that offer the service so to get their attention you'll have to do things differently. Don't jump in with advertisements as the board might have regulations on who's allowed to sell there, instead bide your time with informative and friendly posts until you've developed a relationship with the members. Then you can start offering your services for free to contributing members, not as a business but as a member. Once you've developed some rapport you can start selling yourself in your signature and through their classifieds section if they allow it.

Another excellent way to get early business and advertising is through groupon, submit applications to sites like groupon and offer your services at an extremely discounted rate. An industry like Auto Detailing will benefit you more if you develop a network of long-term clients that will get their car or cars detailed more than once per year. The true enthusiasts that you reach through your offer will also most likely be members of local automotive groups and communities and if you do a great job will definitely talk you up to their friends and fans.

Also it's a good idea to establish your niche market in the automotive community. The guy that offers detailing services to everyone won't be the first pick for the high end car guys that frequent the boards, attend the race days and meet for coffee on week nights. If you're good at what you do and you only use high end products I'd recommend marketing yourself as an expert that works primarily or only on high ends. This might be counter-intuitive because there aren't that many exotics rolling around but the truth is, even the guys with the souped up Hondas think their cars are worthy of such care and attention. You'll find that the loyalty and word of mouth marketing generated from these communities will out weigh that of offering your services everyone.

[21elnegocio]

I'd start with looking for Automotive Enthusiast Forums in your area, although it might seem crazy I'd recommend you offer your services for free to begin with on these boards, they most likely have a few businesses or individuals on there already that offer the service so to get their attention you'll have to do things differently. Don't jump in with advertisements as the board might have regulations on who's allowed to sell there, instead bide your time with informative and friendly posts until you've developed a relationship with the members. Then you can start offering your services for free to contributing members, not as a business but as a member. Once you've developed some rapport you can start selling yourself in your signature and through their classifieds section if they allow it.

Another excellent way to get early business and advertising is through groupon, submit applications to sites like groupon and offer your services at an extremely discounted rate. An industry like Auto Detailing will benefit you more if you develop a network of long-term clients that will get their car or cars detailed more than once per year. The true enthusiasts that you reach through your offer will also most likely be members of local automotive groups and communities and if you do a great job will definitely talk you up to their friends and fans.

Also it's a good idea to establish your niche market in the automotive community. The guy that offers detailing services to everyone won't be the first pick for the high end car guys that frequent the boards, attend the race days and meet for coffee on week nights. If you're good at what you do and you only use high end products I'd recommend marketing yourself as an expert that works primarily or only on high ends. This might be counter-intuitive because there aren't that many exotics rolling around but the truth is, even the guys with the souped up Hondas think their cars are worthy of such care and attention. You'll find that the loyalty and word of mouth marketing generated from these communities will out weigh that of offering your services everyone.

Thanks a lot man, yeah thats another one I didnt think about the Automotive forums, but about the free services i dont know about that one, I invested to much to give free services, I will go with the discount prices though.

[thepremiumdotca]

Honestly giving the services for free to the most respected contributing members of the board will show you a much bigger ROI than giving discounts ever will. It's definitely difficult to go through with it but what better marketing could you ask for than experts in the automotive field praising your work?

I'm not sure what your cost is per car, I know carnuba wax doesn't come cheap but I'm also under the impression that the biggest cost for you is time, which, if you don't have a booked schedule you can afford to put into your marketing budget.

Also, as a member of a few local automotive boards myself (for about 8 years) I can tell you that the groups are actually very exclusive. You can signup sure but to get in with the top guys takes a lot of time, and going in to it with the intent of making profit will close a lot of doors for you. If you're unable to give the services for free to some members then I'd recommend joining and not bringing up your business for quite a while, not until you're well over a 100 posts at least.

Good luck and I hope it works out well for you! Also I'd recommend either investing in a DSLR or making friends with a good photographer, nothing sells detailing better than a photo of the hood of a nice car half detailed half orange peeled and scratched.

Shameless plug : if you ever need any web or print design work done you know where to turn

[jawzishere]

Well a good target market for your business would be people with expendable income who like to keep their cars looking good. So flyering/postering in the high-end neighborhoods near you could be very valuable.