Best way of advertising

[goober_tech]

Hello everybody, my name is Robert and I started my windshield repair business two months ago in the LA vicinity. Business has been off and on; what is the best method of advertising? I've read through several threads and from what I see most do a fixed location (i.e. tent). However, I do not have the financials to do that, nor a lifestyle to keep changing tent locations. If anyone can help, that would be great. I would also like to greet everyone here.

Thank you.

[Delta Kits]

Welcome to the forum Robert! Love the name

Anyway, unfortunately there is no "best" method of advertising. It really depends on the type of business you want to have, time you have available, money availabe, etc.

Tents, as you mentioned, are great. Some people that is definitely their best method. For you, not so much though. Do you currently go after retail, fleets, or car dealers? Full time or part time?

[CV Windshield Repair]

The best form of advertising is word of mouth. However it takes time to establish this form of advertising, if you provide a quality repair good customer service people will recommend you. The goal of most techs. is to go after the retail part of this business for a number of reasons. However until you build your business you will probably have to get business at the car lots. Be prepaired to compete will several windshield repair businesses as this is the first places that a person who gets into this business goes to get work. If you want to try and get the retail customers you need to be in the yellow pages as this is the first place a person goes when they need a rock chip repaired.

[GlassStarz]

Hang out at the freeway off ramp with a "Fill your Crack?" sign.

[goober_tech]

Thank you for your replies.

I am currently going after the retail portion of the market; but i will consider visiting the lots. I've checked the yellow page company. The new book doesn't come out until September.

[repare-brise]

First off, Great web site, informative, and complete.

There are many costeffective ways to reach the public, here are a few that come to mind.

- Have your vehicule lettered, be sure to include your web-site and phone number, also put this info on the back so following cars know who cut them off(lol).

- Partner with a charity, We do this every year in everone's (franchisee's) territories. Find a charity that has the public's attention and a lot of volenteers. With the charity we negotiate to have a store's parking lot(wal-mart are usualy receptive) to use for a week-end, Get a local tent retal co to donate the use of a tent for the event, have radio and newpapers advertise the event( "goober Ws repair is proud to support zxc charity, come have your WS repaired with the proceeds going to the zxc foundation") this is best negotiated by the charity, Have the charity volenteers at the entrences to the parking lots and have them give flyers(provuided by a local printer in exchange for his add on the flyer) to every car that comes in, paying special attention to broken WS's. On the flyer have a coupon that states for 1 month after the event any WS fixed will get a 10% discount and an additional 10% of the price of the repair will be given to the charity with presentation of the coupon. Find some face painters and clowns for the kids(a charitable donation for them), have another local charity run a hot dog stand, and be prepared for a fun week-end. This takes a few weeks planning but is well worth the effort, and as for charging customers we charge $50 for a repair with $30 going to the charity, the other $20 to cover our supplies. With some stores we even get the use of there credit card service for the event. Once started do it as an annual event.

- Factories

These are are great source of exposure that requires some planning and salesman-ship, but more than worth the effort. The procedure starts on a Monday(for example), that day you ask to meet with the person responsible for their liesure committee, or employee group, or union leader. When you meet with this person your objective is to get free reign of their parking lot. The best approach is let some money talk, offer the employee

[goober_tech]

repare-brise, that was very informative. thank you. I will keep those suggestions and try to apply them when possible.

[JT2]

I'd have to say word of mouth and referrals would be the best way. Make sure you do the best on each repair and customers will definately be coming back to you. Also having your vehicle vinyled with your company logo/phone number and website is a great idea too. Good investment and will pay itself off soon. Good luck!

[tyler99]

I really like the functionality and design of your site but would like to make one constructive comment.

The name of your business, in my opinion, doesn't convey the right message to new customers.

All things being equal, I would pick another company over your's just becasue I do not want a "goober" working on my windshield. If you are trying to pick a catchy name that people will remember -- I would not pick one that possible has a negative conotation. My impression of the word goober is somone dumb, slow and not reliable. Maybe it's my age (38) and relating back to a character that had these qualities in a popular tv show.

It's hard enough to build a new business why let your company name even hurt your chances by 5%.

Please take this for what it is worth. I do advise companies in numerous industries on succesful business practices so am experienced providing solid small business guidance.

Good luck with your venture.

Tyler Martin
San Jose, CA

[goober_tech]

Thank you Tyler.

I will change it immediately. The name has a silly inside story, which I won't bore you people about.