Ideas to drive business to your detail shop

Post ideas here that help you grow your detailing business, or questions on how to grow your detailing business.

One idea (yes, my business) is http://www.ProDetailCenters.com .

You can read the press release, picked up by "Professional Carwashing & Detailing" at http://www.carwash.com/news.asp?N_ID=68346 (copy & paste that URL if it won't link).

Hand out referral cards to your employees.

Use your business card. Write the employee's name on the back. Number the card for record keeping.

When an employee refers a customer and the customer makes an appointment, they present the referral card. The employee then gets an 'o.t.s.' bonus of, say, $5 for the referral.

Who is your target market.

When you say "business" you have to have a specific market in mind. You always want to go after the market that will give you the most revenue with the least amount of money, time and effort expended to get them as customers.

What do you do to get existing customers back in? You know it is easier to get business from existing customers than to make new ones.

Regards
Bud Abraham

You may also want to consider joining the INTERNATIONAL DETAILING ASSOCIATON (www.the-ida.com). This detail industry association can provide a great deal of information on how to improve your detail business.

Regards
Bud Abraham

I've begun using static labels as a way to increase repeat business. These are my best customers; those who repeat services w/my shop 2,3,4,+ times per year.

The static cling label is simple; my name and logo, with 'last waxed' and "last interior detail" and a space after each to write in the date.

My customers are mainly women ages 29-69 (60+%). I market to them with a nice, clean and neat shop, nice landscaping and flowers on the lot. A friendly manner and straightforward info and no-pressure sales approach works also. I make eye contact, give info, answer questions, take my time and then let them decide. My closing rate is excellent using this approach.

Higher prices equate to better customers and jobs in detailing, so I keep my price point high and the lower end work falls away.

I use newspaper ads and radio, featuring a hip, funny ad with great music in the background.

Waxman,

I'm a big fan of static stickers. Easy to see through the blue stripe too!

Funny ad "If you're not completely satisfied, we'll throw the dirt back on/in for you!"

Quick question.... What are your prices for full serve washing... What are your prices for express detailing, and what level of leadership do you have in your detail shop? I'm waiting on a little more info before I dive into a pool head first, and not know how deep it is...:)

I'm owner operated at carwash and detail, so the level of leadership is "top'.

I do a hand wash for $15.

I do carpet express for $35.

I offer no express polish at this point, but offer a hand wax for $69.