New secret strategy !!

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

Don't peek ...... open the thread and find out the top secret info!















I wrote that top part so people would open the thread instead of just resting their mouse over the name and reading the first part of the message. Just for fun really I guess.

Anyhow onto the idea ....

I was thinking that if someone stood at a busy offramp to a freeway with a high quality sign saying something to the effect of " Get your rock chip repaired FREE! Ask me how." and then have a spot one block over or something that it would be highly successful. What you would have to do is hire a minimum wage person with charisma ... or even pay them a wage + $3 per repair they send over .... have them hold the sign ... you stay by the tent holding an additional sign pulling people in from there.

Well I am just thinking out loud here really but I have a perfect offramp just for this prospect, just about 70ft off the ramp is a public gravelled blank area that no one uses really and the cars coming off the freeway all stop at the light for the offramp. Each light probably a good 30 or more cars get stopped before the light changes and they have nothing to do but look at my sign. There would be no rent .... in fact you could literally set it up in a parking spot on the side of the road ... just put 2 arms of the tent up on the curb a little so it doesn't stick out too far and you should be fine .... unless you need a permit for a curbside business, which I do not in my area.

If I stood there for 5 hours and the light changed every 4 minutes that is 75 changes of the lights ... at around say 30 cars per light that is 2250 cars that are forced to see my sign and wonder what it is about. At a really busy gas station you might get 1000 cars a day coming through so 2500 cars is a very good number. That isn't including the fact that you would be standing on a busy street that the offramp connects to ... another several thousand cars in 5 hours would drive by you there. You have no rent to pay and a minimum wage person would cost no more than $50 a day + if you gave them $3 per and you got 10-20 a day that would only be the equivalent of like 2 insurance jobs to pay them for the day.

I would try it now but I don't have a handheld sign that isn't at a location being used right now. I am guessing no one has tried this but if you have how did it work and if you haven't what do you think about the idea..... and if you just want me to try it and tell you how it works that is fine also

[cwrepair]

I think it sounds like a great idea! Its really got me thinking. To pre-program the customers mind before they reach you would definately increase a draw in business. Kinda like they do when an organization has a car wash. They always have someone holding up a sign to draw your attention to whats going on. Im setting up my first tent tommorow at the OReilly's Auto Parts store. I wish I had someone just down the road at the traffic light holding up a sign. I wont be prepared in enough time to do it tommorow but the next time I know I can find someone to do it for me. Yeah.... you really have me thinking now. Thanks CWREPAIR

[Bois]

Jeremiah,
Are you sure the gravel area isn't owned by the state?

I agree that having someone or a large sign a 100yds up the road would help. Especially on busy streets where it's almost impossible to make quick turn decisions.

Dale...

[paintlessplus]

Great idea Brian- A local jiffy lube puts their oil change guys out on a nearby busy street with a sandwich sign on occaision when they get slow. I was getting an oil change there and kinda harrassed the manager about his methods since the sign holder looked less than thrilled in the cold weather. He stated that since they did this they had noticed a 20 % increase in business, so it might work. If I lived closer I'd hold your sign buddy. Good Luck Bob

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

I would never let someone with your drive and talent hold a sign for me .... that job is for people in a lesser stage of their life. I would love to work with you sometime though

I may be kind of wierd but I really enjoy doing windshield repairs ..... maybe because it is so much better than working LOL
I also love figuring out new ways to get businessand draw people in ... I have lost alot of money trying things that just don't work so hopefully we can all avoid those things.

[GlassStarz]

Take the "Will Work for Food" sign away from the guy already standing there and take the oranges away from the other guy that also works that corner and give them your sign.
Hey maybe the squeege guy will hand out some cards for you or maybe the lot lizards at the truck stop? the possibilities are endless

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

Do I detect some sarcasm ... NAHHH

[scratchy]

I already had a sign made before Christmas for this purpose. I am just trying to find the right person do it 10-20 hours a week a key hours. Don't forget to put your phone number for people to call that are too busy to stop. Signage like this already drives most interstate businesses. How do you think they get you to pull over and eat at waffle house?

[Jeremiahswindshieldrepair]

I had planned on putting my phone number on it as well ... it is a perfect time for people to write the number down at a stop.

[repare-brise]

Sounds great, but it's below zero here so let us know in the spring how it went, how many tickects you got(or if your lucky the law enforcment officer needs a repair), and if it was worth the effort. All kiding aside sounds like you may have something.

Bonne chance