Newspaper Ad

[zlm_us]

I have advertised in the paper in the past with no success. The town I live in now has 4 other people doing glass repair. I think this is alot for a 10k pop. town. I however do not think it is impossible to get the customers by doing good work. I was hoping to get some input from everybody on a good ad. I am doing windshield/crack repair and I have taken the factory training. I am sure some of the problem was the paper keeps putting my ad in the classifieds and this time I plan on buying a business space in the paper. I am just having trouble coming up with a good ad that is not too long. Any suggestions on what you have used that seems to work. I am still going to buy the vehicle signs as I know this is a good form of advertisement.

[Bois]

I have not had good success with newspaper ads. I'm in a town of ~8,300 population with a weekly paper. People may see your ad but unless they keep the paper/ad they won't remember you when they need you. I'd rather put my money in yellow page ads. Physical presence is also good. People see you frequently and they will remember you and where you're at. What are other repair techs doing (ad-wise)?

Try church bulletins, school newspapers, magnetic business cards, etc...

Dale...

[Sneck]

Hello ZLM

I live in a town of about 400K or more. There are lots of people doing windshield repair here. I have advertised in the paper a few times which reaches all over my area and far beyond. The only call I received was from a guy wanting me to send him customers for full replacements on jobs that I get calls for that have too much damage. I asked him to return the favor and send chip customers to me. I have not had one referral from that call.

If I advertised in the paper consistently, then perhaps I might get a few nibbles, but I'm not planning on doing any newspaper advertising any-time soon as it just doesn't pay for itself.

I lettered my truck and started getting customers from that right away.
I leave business cards with people, and get more calls.

If you don't have a permenant location, I suggest everyone's favorite thing to do... and that would be cold-calling. You are going to have to knock on doors and introduce yourself and tell people what you do.

Find the work in business parking lots, leave business cards on the cars or go in to the place of business and start talking.

Bottom line... There are lots of ways to find work, but advertising in the paper just doesn't even pay for itself. At least that's my experience.

[windshield]

i repair windshields about 10 years.i have great sucess.this is my secret.i dont care because i live in puerto rico.ok,ok.i youst find over the internet a good program for make signs.i was buy signmaker materials,paint etc...the only thing i make is place that signs on posts,fences(without owner obviusly).make great job and when i place a big adv on the newspaper i place below the adv this words:yust find me on the clasifieds in this newspaper below crack repair and remember "i always care about your crack"the clasifieds cost much less than one graphic adv.

[dingmedic]

We have an ad that is very simple. Just What we do and a blurb about possible insurance paying. Works great for us. Dawn