I am in the planning stages of a startup windshield repair business. I am not planning on doing the tent thing as I have a life and would rather do repairs by appointment. This means my major source of business until word of mouth kicks in, will be advertising. there are several direct mail ad mailers in this area. And I am considering using one of them to get my name in front of potential customers in my service area. We also have ads on the side of bus shelters which I am considering. Of course On-line advertising/marketing, website and vehicle graphics are a given.
My question is what local advertising has worked for you, and what would you advise that I avoid.
I am in the northern Colorado front range area. Just in case you do not want to give advice to your local competition.
Advertising
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screenman
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Re: Advertising
Standing in a tent seems to work extremely well for a lot of guys I know. That aside bus stop signs are for pedestrians to read so that would not work to well I would imagine. Best advertising is to get out there and talk to people, you can spend a fortune other wise without much return.
Here is a number thing, 1,000 people have windshield damage 100 of them are thinking about getting it repaired 50 of them are actively looking for somebody to do the repair 25 of them know somebody already. That leaves only 25 people out of 1,000 that might see an advert. I like to concentrate on the 900 people who are not thinking about getting it repaired, I like big numbers.
Here is a number thing, 1,000 people have windshield damage 100 of them are thinking about getting it repaired 50 of them are actively looking for somebody to do the repair 25 of them know somebody already. That leaves only 25 people out of 1,000 that might see an advert. I like to concentrate on the 900 people who are not thinking about getting it repaired, I like big numbers.
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D2D
Re: Advertising
Chips, check your PM
Excellent information, Screenman. WSR is an intriguing animal when it comes to advertising. Without going into a lot of detail, there do not appear to be any forms of passive advertising that afford a valid return on investment.
That's why with the cost/profit structure, "direct sales", as Screenman said, "getting out and talking to people" is the best way to make a good living in this business.
I've known many who spent many dollars on direct mail and yellow page advertising with the effect of "getting the name out" but it didn't make the phone ring enough to fill up each day with appointments.
If you're not ready to get out and introduce yourself and your service to the public, well, I've said here before that it's OK if you don't know how to do this now but, if you're not willing to make the committment to learn how, then your "kit" will end up in the closet gathering dust like so many of the others.
Excellent information, Screenman. WSR is an intriguing animal when it comes to advertising. Without going into a lot of detail, there do not appear to be any forms of passive advertising that afford a valid return on investment.
That's why with the cost/profit structure, "direct sales", as Screenman said, "getting out and talking to people" is the best way to make a good living in this business.
I've known many who spent many dollars on direct mail and yellow page advertising with the effect of "getting the name out" but it didn't make the phone ring enough to fill up each day with appointments.
If you're not ready to get out and introduce yourself and your service to the public, well, I've said here before that it's OK if you don't know how to do this now but, if you're not willing to make the committment to learn how, then your "kit" will end up in the closet gathering dust like so many of the others.
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