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Car windshield flyers to advertise... Is it Okay??? 2

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mark01

Technical User
Jan 17, 2001
600
US
I was wondering about using car windshield flyers to advertise my business to start out with, since I have no money. Is this very effective? Is it illegal?

Thanks...
 
Wow, I plan on doing 1000... Is that going to overwhelm me?

I was thinking that 1000 would maybe give me 1 or 2 jobs... :)
 
If they are hand delivered, I would imagine you could end up with a 1 in 30 to 1 in 50 ratio... He knows many of his neighbors, has a high-degree of trust with them, and this worked to his favor.

If you mail them, I would imagine you will have a much lower return.

Once again, I don't deal in any residential service, so I am speculating. When I sold Window Washing residentially - for a friend's business, I landed about 1 in 8 accounts.

FYI: That's a pretty lucrative business - great for a college student if you are good at what you do. Flexible in schedule, cash money, working in the sun, etc.!!!

Matthew Moran
 
The best advertising for your business is, in my opinion, going to be the quality of your work and word of mouth. If your work is excellent, your client will be pleased.

Chances are good that this will spread to family, friends and co workers, members of the community, other businesses, etc.

Of course you want to have a good website. You may also want to look at posting your business card at various establishments that will take them. Find ways to network and get yourself known in the community.

I wouldn't discount courting home users. In my own experience, I've noticed a very high percentage of people having issues with computers that don't address.

But to get started, flyers aren't a bad idea. That shouldn't be the mainstay of your advertising though.
 
Does anyone have any sample brochure samples or flyer samples that have worked for you? I am trying to design one and need some ideas on what is working for other people.
 
I use case-studies more than flyers. I find with flyers I end up competing on a cost only basis. This is not the model I prefer and not one I would recommend.

Check out my consulting site (I haven't updated it in awhile since I rarely go out looking for work).

Select a Focus On Solution document on the left...

Also, key in all of this.. I do not market to a company's computer staff - but to the CFO, CEO, Owner, Executive Manager.

I hope this is helpful.

Matthew Moran
 
I have a slightly different background to many hear so can offer some didferent advice.
Before IT I used to be a commercial printer and over 10 years, knew what works and what doesn't in the world of "physcial" advertising (flyers, stckers, news ads etc).

Rule one.
Keep it simple:
You need to grab attention in less than 2 seconds. If you add has lots of fussy text, too many colours, people won't bother.
Rule two:
Avoid "comicy" pictures
They look like you are a joke. By this a picture of a broken pc is ok. A pc with a silly hat and sunglasses is not!
Rule Three:
Stand out:
If everyone has used Time New Roman on a page, choose a different font.
Rule Four:
Make the following stand out:
Company Name, contact details and "hook line". A hook line is the "Forget the rest, we're the best" sort of thing.

Finally and possibly most importantly, know your market.
Make sure you advertise in suitable publications, no good advertising in a paper 20 miles from where you live.

Lastly remember, YOU are your best add. Get Shirt's made up with company name on it (and web address), advertising on your CLEAN car, smile, be helpful. It takes months to get a good reputation, but seconds to lose it!

Stu..


Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004
 
Hey thanks to all of the posters. All good advice, KISS right, Stu?(Keep It Simple Stoopid) I too am getting ready to hit the neighborhood with about 200-300 flyers. I am ahem 'between jobs' and have been doing some side work in construction, not the best way to convey my technical expertise, but pays the bills.

Anyway, I see a huge demand for in-home tech support services. Look at the franchises popping up (Geek Squad, On-Call, etc - I hate the work geek btw.) so am 'breaking-in' in a brand new subdivision of over 200 homes (all next door)by flyering it. If I can get 1200 in 2 weeks I'll consider that a very good start.
My flyers were way to wordy, so chopped about 70% out, looks a lot better, but I still haven't found the right 'hook'.
Good luck!
 
Question for RobDaMan...

Just curious on the success of your neighborhood flyers. Wondering if you've received any phone calls & what not...

Any comments would be appreciated :)
 
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