Marketing?

[BClapp]

Right now I am doing the powder coating as a side business and working a full time job that I will always be a peon at. Obviously I don't want to work for someone else my entire life. Most of the business I have is just from word of mouth, which is good enough, but so far it just keeps me busy nights and weekends. I would like to do this full time, but I would like to know how everyone else markets themselves. I am located on a back road in the middle of East Bumblefark, that literally sees 5 cars or so drive by a day. And thats just people that live on the road. People seeing the business and walking in isn't exactly a common appearance.

That being said, what are the groups that I should aim my advertising at? I am connected with a custom motorcycle shop, a few dirt race teams, and a couple classic car clubs. I want to expand. Who should I target next?

[Guest]

Re: Marketing?

For us it has been word of mouth, business cards in the shops that Harleydad mentioned ( Todd made & pc`d special holders). Also our website generates huge business & only costs us $10 a month... well worth it. We have decals on the truck & car... also we do "crack deals" with the bike shops... take care of the employees & they will take care of you kinda deal We also participate in alot of the charity events, providing powder coating coupons in exchange for displays of the truck plastered with business cards... we just leave it there for the duration. But even with all that it still boils down to word of mouth for a quality product for a reasonable price
Hope that this hepls... it`s a scary step but well worth it.

[Guest]

Re: Marketing?

Ok.... when i have time i am going to search the web for a photo of a half naked hot guy by a bike.... hehehehehe.... equal opp & all

[wiseguyz]

Re: Marketing?

Touche', Cindy!

[Guest]

Re: Marketing?

Be a sport HD - shake you money maker

[wiseguyz]

Re: Marketing?

Here ya go, Cindy!

[attachment=0:33ci3sn3]sombreros.jpg[/attachment:33ci3sn3]

Sortof got off topic, didn't we?

Apologies, B. I know you're looking for a serious solution.
A web page to get mailorder business, and online classifieds like through eBay, etc. are also good sources.

Best of luck.

[Guest]

Re: Marketing?

I have been posting ad's on kajiji for free and getting a fair bit of work from there.

[Guest]

Re: Marketing?

Cindy pictures of men will not allowed. Sex sells everything from car parts, to soft drinks it is the greatest marketing tool.

..... Yeah but i buy stuff too & while i can appreciate a beautiful woman I much prefer a half naked guy to entice me to buy the product hehehehehe

[Guest]

advertising?

i was just wondering how you guys get your business..especially you smaller shop guys..i do it out of my garage like alot of you and i need to figure how to get some more business..so far i mostly use friends references and i'll put up an ad on craigslist every so often..

[Guest]

Re: advertising?

Word of mouth and local car/bike forums and clubs.

[BeeBob]

Re: advertising?

Local car and bike shops and word of mouth. See if you can get some freebie sample parts ( shops and or junkyards ) do some of your "handy work" on them and bring them with to show off what you can do.

[Guest]

Re: advertising?

Kijiji!!! I post an ad in all the car and bike sections. I would say 70% of my work comes from there.

[Guest]

Re: advertising?

There's a few ideas in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=1565&hilit=Marketing

Merged. Just keep it going here.

[Guest]

Re: Marketing?

Lots & lots of face time. Take samples of your work to local bike / auto shops. Place business cards if they allow it. 70% of our work comes from these places either directly or indirectly. Todd spent days in the beginning going to all these places & "shooting the sh*t, the ole southern way". Put out a good product & word will spread... Good Luck

[Guest]

Re: Marketing?

Good topic. This is kind of the way do it C. I'm fixin to jump in wide open.

The Titan marketing idea seems to work well, the chick in the second Picture on the first page Polert posted is knocked up .

Lots & lots of face time. Take samples of your work to local bike / auto shops. Place business cards if they allow it. 70% of our work comes from these places either directly or indirectly. Todd spent days in the beginning going to all these places & "shooting the sh*t, the ole southern way". Put out a good product & word will spread... Good Luck