Q: Guys:

I have a booth at a local Fall custom car show.

I sell detailing products and a bunch of other things.

As far as PPF, I have a front bumper with one half done in ppf and the other side is not. 3M Brochures (With a copy of a kit stapled inside the brochure) mare on display, with business cards.

I get tons of people stopping and looking at the bumper and taking 3M brochures.

WHen all is said and done. I get no PPF business!!!!!

I was thinking about getting names, phone #, emails from these people.

Any ideas on getting some business from all these interested people?

A: I did pretty much the same thing about a month ago and spoke to about 200 people at a car show. I got a few bites but nothing that i had hoped for. But at the end of the day i know that there are many more people out there that now know about PPF, most will eventualy buy a new car its my hope that they remember what i showed them. But who knows im an optimist what do i know..

A: I have been using car shows to create "product awareness". Down here no one, and I mean NO ONE, has heard of PPF. By exposing the hobby enthusiasts (and Joe Public) to PPF it may not create immediate sales but down the road when they buy a new car, or pick up their first chip they will think of Me and the Invisible Car Bra. I don't expect to get any sales at these shows. People who come to a car show are not expecting to shell out $600-$1000 and any sales you get immediately are a bonus. Most look at it and say "What a great idea" then take a card or brochure for future reference. I expect the brochure is thrown in the bin when they clean out their pockets but when I clean out my pockets I check everything BEFORE I throw it out. This means the person looks at the brochure again and reinforces the message. That's why TV and radio ads are repeated ad nauseum. You may switch off when you recognise an ad but you have to see/listen to it to be able to recognise it and then it is reinforced by the time you switch off anyway.

How about a hands on, interactive demo. Get several bits of metal and paint them up. Half cover them with PPF and put them on a drop sheet or backing board. Give the potential customers a hand full of gravel and get them to throw it at the sample and then check it out. Tell them this is what happens to their car every day! Just think of all the punters who look at your booth as future customers.

A: If you give away one free hood kit - as a drawing to a winner - then you will have alot of people fill out the info you desire - name address specifically - for future mailings.... some will give you phone numbers.

A: This IS a good idea but you have to be willing to do the follow up.

Its also good of offer ALL these leads % off in the mailings, because you can use these customers for more customers.

For instance, if you are looking for dealership work, you could put in the mailings something like 20% off if they have it done AT the dealership on a NEW car purchase. The way most dealerships are set up, they will do just about anything before the sale to make the customer happy. This includes having accessories installed. If the customer says, "I want my guy to come in there and put this on my car before I drive it over the curb", the dealership just about doesn't have a choice. Now your in the door and the rest is up to you.

A: It's a great way to get people interested, by giving away a hood and fender kit, you can then coax them into the bumper as well, if your costs are in line, you certainly can recoup the cost of both on the bumper alone, and you've converted one more person to the PPF side.

A: I have found the most cost effective way doing car shows is to find out exactly who's going to be there already with a booth and see if you can't do one of their cars in exchange for letting you hang around to pass out cards.

Its pretty easy to do once you convince them that you will attract more visitors to their booth...everybody's got a shiny car but how many of them have PPF? What red-blooded American male wouldn't want to see a transparent bra?

A: The system works and I am happy with it! Got a call yesterday for an install. The guy had seen my display at a swap meet about 2 months ago. He had just had the front of his car repainted. I asked if he could leave it for a couple of weeks to allow the paint to cure and he was happy to do that, had another car to drive. Got a couple more shows to attend before Christmas.

A: I want to give a update on the show:

Day one.

My goal was to get as many (names, phone numbers and vehicle type) from anyone that seemed remotely intersested in ppf.

I just sat down to count up all the interested people and I got about 12 names that want prices.

Lets see what tomorrow brings.

Thanks again for all the great advice.

A: One thing that i think is good when talking with a potential customer is try and talk about his/her car. Compliment them on any mods they may have had done or how clean they keep it. Maybe ask them what do they think about the new body style, etc. Fuzzy car owners are impressed with people who know their particular car such as mods, how many were made etc. You cant know all cars, but im sure you know more than the average person would.

I would have to say another great way is referrals. I have a friend with a Cobra Kit car that pushes PPF like crazy. He hits all the local car shows and have a few people interested in getting their cars done. Once you do those couple cars and they head to the shows, it takes off from there.

good luck