How to promote a small business?

[Roverload]

I've taken the plunge and I'm setting up a valeting business. Apart from a car wash there's no proper valeting business in the town. I have ordered 5000 A5 glossy leaflets, a sandwich board and a 12ft sail flag. I've also got on facebook, website and a promotions offer of 50% off in the opening week in the local rag. Are there any other strategy's I can employ that I may have missed? Any advice is most welcome!

Ian

[jeremyc]

Roverload said:

Are there any other strategy's I can employ that I may have missed? Any advice is most welcome!

Introduce yourself to all of the local car sales emporiums?

Visit any large local office buildings and ask if you can leave some leaflets in reception/offer cleaning in the car park whilst they're at work?

[anonymous-user]

local radio - get them to do a feature on you rather than just adverts

loyalty card a la starbucks - buy 9 get 10th free or such like

[Roverload]

Yes those 5000 leaflets are going to be distributed until I've run out!

How cost effective os local radio? My local station, pirate fm, seems to be extremely expensive for a small business. Does anyone here advertise on the radio? They quote dazzling figures but I've yet to hear it from somebody who's been there, done it and noticed results.

[Roverload]

Nice idea! I did think about starting my own buy and sell in Falmouth page so I could advertise via that but that's a bit fiendish!

[red_slr]

Start looking on detailing world.

You can either wash 20 cars a day for £10 each or quick detail 2 a day for £200.
I would consider both options, general valet plus detail.

You are going to need some XP in detailing though, get yourself on a machine polishing course - or start learning DIY style on an old car or your own cars / family etc.

[red_slr]

PS - a good option is local supermarket. Our local Tesco now has a hand car wash. Gets very busy - usually 4 or 5 cars being done at once.

Customers go shopping whilst they wash the cars.

[Roverload]

Yes, I've been mulling over a high turnover of quick washes Vs full/half valets. I'm leaning toward the high turnover, the business will get work off the back of the jaguar specialist with whom I'm sharing a former jaguar dealership right on the crossroads that is the main artery for Falmouth town and cross town traffic, I couldn't ask for a better location. I have done self employed valeting before but limited myself to classic cars and sports cars only. I wish id stuck at it because my customers were loyal and it was growing, very slowly but growing none the less. Alas I took the security of a full time job with all the rights and holiday entitlement that go with it. Some of those customers are willing to travel to Falmouth for me again so hopefully I should be able to work something out.

[red_slr]

Are you on detailing world?

[Roverload]

No but I think I should be! I like the idea of doing some courses anyway, cant hurt to get more experience and maybe make some usefull contacts. I've just had a butchers at my local radio stations website, they advertise for free if you do 50% off vouchers. Introductory offer anybody?!

[DHE]

Adwords. Learn how they work and use them. I wouldn't go offering discounts, it doesn't mean you will get a loyal client base, just those looking for the next cheap deal.

Whats your USP?