ForumsAdvertising, Sales and Marketing

easylube,

A really great business idea. I'm new to this forum so I am going to skip your first two question. I am in advertising so I'm going to stick to what I know - advertising.

Direct mail is cheap and fairly easy. Flyers and business cards are even cheaper but leaving them on vehicles is considered a nusance. I have worked at several agencies where the mobile car wash guy comes to us on a set day. By going through the company the service had instant credibility and access. You may want to try that with some of the businesses that are interested in providing their employees with services. Look for the companies that are know for being the best to work for in your area and contact them to see if they might be interested. Maybe the local gyms and apartment complexes. radio can be cheap depending on the city and the time, but remember very few folks hear your spot at 1:00 in the morning. You need to be in drive time for radio.

Word of mouth is the best advertising. You will hear that a lot here. I believe this, but there are risks; you do not control the message, people tend to tell more folks about a negative experience than a positive one, and you do not control the message (this is worth repeating). People may get important information wrong.

About approaching people - very few people are really comfortable doing it. Yes, you could hire someone but that cuts into your already strained cash flow. Put together a flyer and hit the pavement. After a while it will be easier for you. Plus you get a great feel for what people are thinking. And you save money

These posts have helped me greatly. I really appreciate your advise. here are few answers to your questions and comments.

I have registered with Score today and hope to hear something back soon they apear to be a great business resource. I will walk through the online courses this week.

As for direct mailings it is really expensive to get the listings and then each item mailed I was looking at about 1500 dollars for 5,000 contacts.

Talking to good companies that give back to their employees is a great idea they can give away my services and theb this creates a new customer for me thank you.

Radio is not bad but AM talk radio seems to be the cheapest at $500 a month for morning times. Some companies wanted to trade services for services. Radio ads for Oil Changes sounds great.

My trailer and Truck both have advertising on them and it standsout very good when I am servicing vehicles. I was considering adding a light to the top of my Trailer so when I am servicing people will see it.

I have already added all fluids and checks within my service so the customer will appreciate the extra effort for free. Some places charge extra for these sevices and it takes very little time. I also do not charge tax so the price you see is what you pay. I prepay tax on all my goods therefore no tax is applied to the customer.

I know my research in marketing seems to be age 25 thru 35 with the most being in the lower age. People these days never have time to get the vehicles servicing done. Young people always on the go. Older have all the time in the world or prepay for service at the Dealer (which is not the best way to go).

Question:

So would it be a good idea to stand out in shopping areas and hand out fliers or business cards?
Or any major public area? I am not sure if people respond to this or not. Alot of times when they give me this I pitch it in the Garbage.

I also have a lot of interesting new facts about oil changes and motor oils in general that would help some poeple if they are interested just let me know I have some listed on my web page.

Also how can I get listed in google without paying so many fees???

Thanks again for all the replies I hope to hear from everyone again and would love to help someone else if I can.

Sincerely
Bill (easylube4you)

a good inexpensive sorce of advertising is a website. for as little as 240 per year you could have a simple website that can encompass all aspects of your services in detail, for example, why one oil versus the other. Also you can use this web site in superpages so when someone goes online and seaches the super pages for oil changes in Tucson your name and number will appear and your website. People will go to your site and there is your chance to answer all there questions and make yourself a "Leader" in the market.

People do judge a webpage by it's design. Would you go to a place with rusted cars piled behind a broken down gate and trash and drumbs of stuff everywhere or would you go to the clean, inviting, efficient place. For lack of a better example, jiffy lube or bob's cheap oil changes.

Let me know if you need any help on the web marketing front!

www.blueoryx.com See SIMPLE CMS

Best of luck to you,
Vincenzo Barranca

Hi, Iwrite-

You say "leaving flyers on cars is a nusance", and I agree. I think it's tacky but cheap for the right business like a cash wash or something. But, in your opinion....how do feel about sending/receiving postcards in the mail? My graphics guy says you have to do a whole series of them in order for them to be effective. Is he just trying to make a lot of money designing 4 or 5 different postcards or is he telling the truth? And then, how do people feel about them popping up in their mail from time to time?

I forgot to answer one more part of your question. People do not mind postcards or advertising when it speaks to them, shows that you understand what they need and talks to them like they have some sense.

Here is an example: if you were to direct your postcard to men using the message that the woman he loves is special and unique, and deserves a gift that is as special as her. With a nice picture and some strong copy, how likely is he to hang onto it for future gift ideas or go to your website to see if there is something he would like for her? As opposed to sending out a postcard with multiple pictures and some generic copy about your company, how long you have been in business and the fact that youor jewelry is one of a kind.

Look at what DeBeers has done for diamonds, they sell emotion. Reason and logic are never factors in their spots - it is pure emotion.

Hi there

Easylube you can do so much with getting the word out about
your business. You should consider an informational product!

That something we can help you and guide you in the right direction with!

The information product can give your client tips on oil changes and all
they key points and why it is important to change your oil and so on.

If you are interested contact info@jumpstart2wealth.com
www.jumpstart2wealth.com

Much Success