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Hi all,
Seeing how far my detailing work has come in just 4 months since charging clients, I thought i'd share some of my experiences especially for those thinking about starting out.
It all started 4 months back when I left my FT job to continue private consulting (more money, much more time to myself). I actually got bored, and considering I had been detailing my own cars for a few years, I thought i'd offer it as a service to friends, in particular one car forum I am a prominent member on.
I offered a 'case of beer' detail to the first 3 clients that wanted a detail. Meaning, they could bring their cars in with a case of my chosen beer and have their cars detailed, no further cost. One of the cars was a full restoration project (eek). However, it came out looking perfect. The main aim of this exercise was to start building my portfolio. I needed something to show clients to actually legitimise what I was charging.
From there I started asking my clients (as enthusiasts) to put up a post on their respective forums with photos (i would email them the photos with post-care instructions). From there, I started to receive a lot of interest, but no clientelle.
I then started to think why this was happening. I had no type of website. Nothing at all. I was still stuck in the old method of detailing for mates - back then I didn't need/want anyone to know about me. So, being a startup and short on cash I went Facebook. To this day, it has been the greatest thing i've ever done.
4 months on now, and i'm taking bookings every day. I've just partnered with a very well known performance shop and am based out of their premises. I do offer a mobile service, but only for select customers. I have my lighting rig and everything right where I need it, but I do go out to the odd detail.
How I marketed myself?
Registered my business name.
Opened a Facebook page for the business.
Got 1000 business cards printed (vistaprint) and dropped them on car windshields/window seals that I thought fit my bill.
Joined a lot of forums to see where my market was and my competitors.
Asked my clients (as they are mostly enthusiasts) to put a post on their forums about the service they get from me and to be honest.
So in 4 months i've come from detailing mate's cars every so often and taking cases of beer as payment to a fully-fledged shop juggling time.
Any questions please ask. We're here to help eachother and I hope this is one place I can help you guys!
Seeing how far my detailing work has come in just 4 months since charging clients, I thought i'd share some of my experiences especially for those thinking about starting out.
It all started 4 months back when I left my FT job to continue private consulting (more money, much more time to myself). I actually got bored, and considering I had been detailing my own cars for a few years, I thought i'd offer it as a service to friends, in particular one car forum I am a prominent member on.
I offered a 'case of beer' detail to the first 3 clients that wanted a detail. Meaning, they could bring their cars in with a case of my chosen beer and have their cars detailed, no further cost. One of the cars was a full restoration project (eek). However, it came out looking perfect. The main aim of this exercise was to start building my portfolio. I needed something to show clients to actually legitimise what I was charging.
From there I started asking my clients (as enthusiasts) to put up a post on their respective forums with photos (i would email them the photos with post-care instructions). From there, I started to receive a lot of interest, but no clientelle.
I then started to think why this was happening. I had no type of website. Nothing at all. I was still stuck in the old method of detailing for mates - back then I didn't need/want anyone to know about me. So, being a startup and short on cash I went Facebook. To this day, it has been the greatest thing i've ever done.
4 months on now, and i'm taking bookings every day. I've just partnered with a very well known performance shop and am based out of their premises. I do offer a mobile service, but only for select customers. I have my lighting rig and everything right where I need it, but I do go out to the odd detail.
How I marketed myself?
Registered my business name.
Opened a Facebook page for the business.
Got 1000 business cards printed (vistaprint) and dropped them on car windshields/window seals that I thought fit my bill.
Joined a lot of forums to see where my market was and my competitors.
Asked my clients (as they are mostly enthusiasts) to put a post on their forums about the service they get from me and to be honest.
So in 4 months i've come from detailing mate's cars every so often and taking cases of beer as payment to a fully-fledged shop juggling time.
Any questions please ask. We're here to help eachother and I hope this is one place I can help you guys!
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