Getting Started

[Ca$h]

I will be starting up a WR business later this year and really have enjoyed reading everyones views. I really could not find any constants about what would be a good start up arsenal (outside of a kit). What I am looking for is suggestions on an approximate number of business cards to start with? Would you start out with magnetic door signs? web pages? Phone books? do you suggest buying marketing books or is there a section or thread that some of you complied of ideas of where to start. I plan to start part time as I am getting close to retirement. I am driven, but I also do not want to spin my wheels on things that have been tried and failed consistantly. I welcome all input

Thank you

[mrchips]

Congrats...........

Two Suggestions:

1. Take some time to look through the forum here......take notes, lots of great stuff

2. Google Search for "windshield repair marketing" - you will find all kinds of articles, reports, books. Also great stuff

Good Luck, I'd love for you to keep us all posted!

[Ca$h]

Thank you mrchips for such a fast response.

[GlassStarz]

enthusiasticly pass out cards to everyone you know and meet there are a bunch of repairs to be found in your circle make sure you have practiced a bunch before you do anyones car one broken windshield and everone in that group hears about it LOL
Good luck

[GLASSTIME]

Ca$h,

Might I step off topic for just a moment to compliment on your name. I like it...Maybe because I like Johnny Cash??

Ok. It's great that your wanting to get into the Windshield Repair Industry! This is an incrediable industry to be a part of. On top of that you joined a Awesome forum..Great Job!

If I could think of only 1 suggestion for you that would be "TRAINING" not that WSR takes a college degree or it's scientific. However there are certain things you will only learn on your own. You will gain a wealth of knowledge for the business just by being here. But formal TRAINING is a must in my book! Again, I don't think it's so technical and I don't think it's so easy a caveman can do it! But I do know that when I went through my Training my eyes were opened up to several key factors that I hadn't been aware of before. Also not only will you receive certification at training with your equipment manufactuer, you will be with people that share the same passion as you do!

What I am looking for is suggestions on an approximate number of business cards to start with?

Business Cards......Alot of people ncluding myself at one time feel it is important to have the fanciest card on the block, like it will bring you alot of business! WRONG! A simple 2 color business card will do the trick! Now how many to buy will be your decision in the long run. There's so many good deals out there. Personally I purchase 1,000 at a time. This is only because I pay somewhat a cheaper price due to buying in bulk and I order cards at least 2 or 3 times a year! I give them to everybody and a good piece of advice is don't be stingy with them! THat too is why you want to ensure you pay a somewhat inexpensive price for them!

Would you start out with magnetic door signs? web pages? Phone books?

A good rule of thumb...I'd try to not copy another business' model! What I am saying is do it like you want it! I feel that give's you your companies uniqueness!
MAgnetic Signs are good especiall if you want to slap them on the side of your vehicle! I know one guy that done this after being in business for over 12 years . He used to have nice graphoc vinyl on his truck and he got so aggrivated that he was hounded all the time so he snatched em off got him some magnetic signs and when he didn't wan't to bothered he'd take em off! Now personally i think that's a bad choice JMHO!

Web page is the most important source of advertising in my opinon! Think about it I too used to use the "Yellow Pages" unfourtanetly it worked for awhile but I just couldn't justify staying with it! Every time people wants to find a phone number these days the turn to a computer. I don't know where the statistics are but I did at one time have access to one that showed how many people have a computer and use it instead of a phone book!Maybe it was a CENSUS thing not sure! I know lot's and lot's of people who have a computer in there home. I have several friends that make large purchases using the web!

If you choose to use the WEB! GOOD IDEA! I would consider a service out there which I use that offers websites for FREE! In fact regardless of you having a paid hosting site or not I think it is valuable to have as much web presence as possible! So any FREE web hosting, FREE web networking can still be effectiv even if you have a paid site!

do you suggest buying marketing books

YES! YES! YES! and YES! I think any information in print, video or sound you should own it! There is a guy I seen on TV that offers this program you do at home! OK most of them are a joke but I felt he was being as truthful as possible and he was an entre. He had 3 books! on marketing and sales tactics! Well regardless of the business your in most of the time any tactic can be modded to fit yor business madel! I have to see I was again enlightened as I have put a few of his teachings to use in my WSR. A business that has nothing to do with his program! Now I am not saying all this so you will go do it! But again as I have said do what feels right!


My .02 Worth!

I know you will be a success! Hang in there!

[GlassStarz]

I agree with the training but once trained dont just go to work. I went to a local wrecking yard and got the guy to let me work on the wrecks saw dozens of different breaks some big some small all dirty and old seriosly challenging and after about 100 breaks there I went to work. Practice glass is fine but working on a actual car is the only way to go

[GlassStarz]

I would also try to figure out which way you plan to work
Some retired guys do well at this the find a location (IE Carwash or Wallmart type parking lot) set up a pop up awning Put up a sign that says something like Here Saturdays 10-5 pretty soon its known when you are there and like in the Movie if you build it they will come again a great way to supliment a retirement.
Some choose to travel and look for fleet customers you can call on often. After building yourself a route before long every thursday you are in the same area doing the same companies and car lots this is a very competitive market but profitable
I have done both I found the stationary location pretty boring but thats just me many do very well at it. look through the archives if you can sell this can be a pretty profitable living
I myself am a Artist who finds having a Regular Job helps keep me centered I support myself with the WR my Art Profits go to making more Art and Studio expences, Models etc. WR I havnt worked 5 hrs a day for a long time I make enough to live in a Beachfront Condo and spend as much time in the Studio as Working WR it really can be a lucrative trade if you want it to be but you have to be able to find customers and have the ability to SELL you gotta figure everyone has a car and a huge percentage of them either have a Chip or will be getting one soon figure how to get 5-8 of those a day and you can do pretty well. Find a Market you like and Sell into it

[candyman]

Look through this forum and you will see a % i did for this year of where my business comes from. DONT FOLLOW the Windshiled replacement guys on your ads. List under Windshield repair. Trust me on this. Glasstime gave you a very good refereence point to start. TRAINING: GO to a class and you will meet people that can steer you to better choices, and less trail and error. Have a good day. I am retired military and still work a state job. I plan to retire again soon to do this full time. ALSO consider headlight restoration.

[candyman]

Please excuse all the spelling errors on my last post. Its dark in my office, and I didn't use the preview.

[Ca$h]

Thank you all so much for your feedback.

Glasstime that was the name of my horse, (he's costs us plenty LOL).

I do see a few marketing books/programs regarding WR. in your opinions, are they worth the investment or should I stick to the more traditional "any business" marketing strategy type books? I hope to get started by years end and will try for the Corpus class when they finalize a date. I have been told that practice does not make perfect rather Perfect practice makes perfect. I am all for training and hands on. Once you have a good foundation, the sky is the limit. My soon to be "competitors" from a laymens perspective seem to favor the tent (the independents) I'm not sure how active the handful of mobile one's i've seen really are.
Do you all put a card or brochure on a prospective vehicle you may see at the local mall or Walmart? or is that frowned upon. I am looking into the HLR business as well and like what I see on this site.
I know it may be in another forum, but how long does it take to get on with the insurance companies "preferred" list on average weeks, months. years?
If you were to be approached to do an insurance job, can the insurance company still turn you down or refuse to reimburse the insurer due to being new and not established?

I look forward to your continued feedback thank you.