How best to market business

Hi guys

Ive been tinting on and off for a few months now for my dad, who unfortunatley has given up due to ill health, Im basically starting from affresh, Ive canvassed all the car dealers in my area, but theyre all happy to stay loyal to there existing tinters, how can I kick this thing off, any tips appreciated

it wont happen over night mate...how you advertising?

and where you from?

Im from Derby, Ive got an ad going in the yp next month, afraid to use local press as tried this with my smart repair business and it didnt work.

Start off with a good yellow page ad, as foar a dealers just keep calling on them, but it may take a couple of years to land a dealer, first you must make a name for your self

Im from Derby, Ive got an ad going in the yp next month, afraid to use local press as tried this with my smart repair business and it didnt work.

[/quote]
Im down in Wiltshire...as paladin said Yellow pages is good but youve missed the slot for this year so get an add sorted because they will phone you if your a registerd company if not call them...you can also use Yell.com its also free, i get shop fitters calling me sometimes but mainly double glazing firms and thats a good earner

dont bother with the free papers you get pushed through your door evey week ,waste of money mate

Stu {potzy}

also check Marketing on the board, always good for a look

You can't say enough about having a box full of nice business cards and just pounding the pavement. Face to face promotion works surprisingly well even though it takes a lot more effort than just sitting back waiting on them to come to you but hey, you got nothing better to do right? Also, putting some kind of advertisments on your vehicle (ie. vinyl graphics even magnet signs) is a relatively cheap yet effective way of getting attention while you're out there canvassing for new business.

Try the Auto trader, it's worth the money! about half my calls come in from the add i run in the trader. it pays for itself over and over.

See... Ive heard Auto trader is a waste of time...

Read the book "Guerrilla Marketing" it is full of cost effective ideas. Nothing earth shattering, but it helps get you in the right frame of mind to promote your business.

Good Luck