best advertisments?

hey where do you guys/gals find your most productive advertising to be?? Word of mouth has been my gold crutch for the last 7 years...but now I've started my own business and I know it's going to take time to build back up my clietel. So wheres the best, most effective place to start?
Thanks
Ryan

go to car shows and automobile gatherings and pass out cards and talk to some people there. Go to car dealerships and stereo shops in your area and make a deal with them to do thier customers cars who want tint aswell. there are alot of things you could do just depends on how motivated you are.

o i hear you there, i've already done that. I was the main tinter from the business i left. I put it on the map because the owner didn't tint windows, it left everything pretty much on my shoulders. But after a pretty bad fall out, I decided to open my own business, and a lot of my previous customers have my phone #, and continue to come to me. Plus any dealer or speed shop i already dealt with has been notified. So the car show thing is a great idea, i used to do that using infact the car in my avatar. Although i'm looking for even more ideas on written advertising.
Thanks though for the heads up and response.
Ryan
FE...which papers, phone books would be the most productive?

I wouldnt waste alot of money on phonebook, alot of people use the internet now. Just get a one liner in the phonebook and then make a web page and you could advertise on yer myspace account if you have one.

myspace?? Huh...i never thought of that. Thats an idea. i'm going to look into that one. thanks...
keep em coming

Don't count the yellow pages as obsolete just yet...

I get a lot of work from the yellow pages, and I have a pretty nice ad. However, Internet searching is starting to become the prominent method, so DEFINITELY get a website.

I make my own and use Yahoo web hosting for 12 bucks a month and it's a bargain.

H

WOM is the best!! But this works pretty good too!

GIRLZ'n'CARZ.
Somebody can cry: NONONONO. Let's leave them crying. This are two best sales assistantZ......And as we buy carZ 4 girlZ - so assistant N1 - GIRLZ.....
IMHO

Today's Internet is fast replacing yesterday's Yellow Pages. The key is to take the time and have your website optimized so that your prospective clients can find you!

We are a very, very, very new company and yet we are already getting calls and installations simply with Internet and a very modest pay per click budget.

You might also explore various coupon and mailer services like Val-Pak. Inexpensive yet the call to action- -like 15% off complete car may bring them to your door.

If you want to see how your competition is using the net. .do a Google search on window film window tinting your city, USA

direct mail and internet.

have to agree with Key West....word of mouth is my best reference...but vehicle lettering is extremely effective....and relatively easy on the bank account (specially if you do signs too )

No wonder you had a falling out........... the old customers that have YOUR phone number are HIS customers.

Stan does have a point..... just why do the old custys (His) have your phone number?

Business cards and flyers plus reccomendations as well the hell out of car shows but keep it clean and make sure your not littering

Yellow pages is our biggest. License plate frames is a good one

We do lots of yellow pages and internet My Webpage

Be respectful and don’t poop in his back yard. Open up a few miles away. Never talk bad about anyone just sell your self. Always treat competition the way you WISH they would treat you. Just advice from someone been doing this awhile.

well put

Depending on your radio market, I have seen HUGE results from well placed radio ads. When I was a rep, I saw this one shop blow up everytime the spot ran on the local hiphoop station. It would jam all 4 incoming lines. (in Va. Beach)

guess it depends on your market....ive tried radio....very expensive...and i didnt get ANY return on my $$$ not even a penny...leason learned...at least in this area

Agreed sell yourself! Never bad mouth your Comp. BAD form

Hey, i for one am a nice guy. I ran the business for the first owner for 4 years, and just when it was going to be sold to me, it was sold out from under me to this other guy. I got over it, and ran the business for the new owner for the next 3 years. Meanwhile...the customers were constantly having problems with the owner. They didn't like the way he did business, and so they would always make sure they talked to me. My # got spread because of tinting some friends cars...they spread the word...they spread the word...got the point. Next thing you know, my # is bringing in money constantly for him. I still didn't do anything about it. I kept doing my job, minding my own business. Then i get injured on the job, i work through a rotator cuff injury for 2 months...until the pain is unbearable. I leave for workers comp...he doesn't do ONE thing to help me on the process, and lays me off when i tried to return beceause he found someone who'd work for nothing practically. So i ran his business for him for 7 years pretty much because of the following...he never tinted a single car his whole life...and then he kicks me while i'm down.
Whats more though, besides explaining the truth like i just did, i won't say anything bad about him, i never did...and never will...just told facts. I know my business will grow again, I was just looking for advice on advertising. Bet no one wanted a lame long life story!
Ryan

Glad you posted the story. Welcome to the forum dude and good luck with all you do

hells ya we did!.....we LOVE stories!

we've been doing a couple radio spots a day but no increase in sales from that I notice a few people that call say "I just say you in the phonebook and called." So I think thats working best in this area, also we just started advertising in a local paper for the college made by students for students so hopefully this will get the college kids wanting film on their glass and possibly attract a few hottys to the shop I'll let you know how it works out

we use craigslist, myspace, and various auto forums that are either for our area or have a regional area for southern california or san diego. all that stuff is free, you just have to pay for you internet connection and your time. everything else comes from fliers, word of mouth, other shops we have deals with.

Probably would have better if we knew all the facts from word go. If I offended before getting all the facts I sincerely apologize. We DO get some real "brown donuts" on here. I feel yer pain dude!! I once worked for some VERY unappreciative fuks myself!!. The only thing I can offer is SELL YOURSELF!! Promote yourself, and do a quality lob for a fair price! If you do that, you'll go far!!! Again, I sincerely apologise for any offense taken!! Hope we're good

OH...... And BTW Welcome here!!!

Ryan, Good talking to ya!! Best of luck, my brother!! If there is anything I can do for ya, you only need to call. (let yer fingers do the walking)

Thanks so much. Everyone's given me some great ideas...and i appreciate it. Like I've said, I'm not new to this business...but I'm a new shop owner, so I'm sure it'll grow. Is there a section on here for shop pics?? I'm sure if i look, i'll find, but a pointing finger is always easier! ...lol

Ya want a pointy finger? Here ya go!! As i said good luck!! Call me if ya need ENNYthing!

Here is some new fresh pictures of my reception e.t.c. - I posted tham recently, but I like how it looks and will be happy post again. All You can is done by myself and my 3 employees....May be it looks like something expensive things - but, that's easy, only switch on Your fantasy...Also I will post later pictures of workshop and displays....Glassblocks, metall, polycarbonate with matte film (will be changed on stainless steel). I want my reception look like bar - hope I got this result. of course, it's irregular decision....

Also good idea named AIRFRESHNER - put Your logo on, and present to every customer, or give for very small price to nearest gas station - they will sell it, make money and promote You for free....Just my 20 cl.....

I just went out on my own, I am offering a free gas card with 3 or more windows, customers love getting free gas.

I have recieved alot of my business from the vinyl graphics on my back window.
It has our logo, "Tint, Detailing & Supplies" and our phone number.
The best $25.00 investment I ever made. Just the other day I went to get the kids ice cream and was stopped by someone, next thing you know they called for an appointment and now they want another car done. Could not tell you the countless number of times driving down the road i get a call and the person says I am in the such and such vehicle right behind you.....Gotta love it. Cheap, Free and Constant Advertising.

We also cross network with other small businesses. Swap 1/2 sheet fliers or postcards with them and then we put them in the vehicles we work on. You would be suprised how much business this generates. I have found most people like the whole lot, tint, detailing, stereo, performance parts etc.. Alot of the different industries work hand in hand so why not use them to help you market.. Works out well for everyone.

Your a good dude. Success will be yours.

I don't advertise at all, it's all been word of mouth and of course referrals. Most of my work is dealer based...I'm usually a finance room special! And thru their service departments too. Biz has been down lately, but a friend, who does hardwood flooring turned me on to craigslist. So I placed an 'ad' and low and behold, I've done 5 cars in the 9 days my ad has been up. I KNOW there are a lot of 'hacks' there...I even saw a pic one 'tinter' posted, and it was of an 80's vintage Civic in his home garage!!! I worded my add truthfully and put dealership references in it and all these internet custy's have been very happy. And so am I!!

If that avatar is a pic of your ride then most likely your a part of the import scene. I would use that to your advantage by advertising on the forums and placing banner ads. If your a part of the import community then your already accepted and trusted. Im also in the import scene and belong to many forums. I incorporated my online import tuner magazine with my tint business which was the best thing I have done. Check my banner ad on the top of houston-imports.com/forums/index.php The ad is only $100 per month and there are 42,00 members.