imported_thecarguy
New member
Okay, you go to a business park, park you truck, go in to a business and say...what? What's your script? What do you say and how do you sell them?
Thanks!
Thanks!
when you go to a small business park, what do you say to people?
- Thread starter imported_thecarguy
- Start date
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
First of all, don't hit up the receptionist or the first person you see when you go in the door--trying to sell to employees that are supposed to be working is the best way to get yourself kicked out. Ask to speak to the owner/boss/manager, if the receptionist asks what it is about tell her that you provide auto detailing services. When you get to the owner, tell him that you can provide these services for his company vehicles, his personal vehicles, or employee vehicles while they are working (I'm presuming you provide a mobile service). Even if he is not interested, he may let you leave flyers or talk to the employees about it. Just start with the top and give him the right of first refusal and get his permission before talking to employees. If there is no interest don't push it, just move on...there are plenty of office/industrial parks.
a.k.a. Patrick
New member
You could also just leave flyers, and kindly say TY.....And let your flyers leave the 1st impression...
Some people get immediately turned off by people trying to sell services or things.....
Some people get immediately turned off by people trying to sell services or things.....
imported_thecarguy
New member
a.k.a. Patrick said:
That's what I am afraid of. Before college I tried (for one day) a job where they go business to business selling clothes. Surprisingly, some people buy this way but it made me feel like a scheister.
imported_ajbarnes
New member
I agree with both Mike and Patrick. I actually have done what both have said. Mike hit the nail on the head as far as first going to the manager, president, owner, etc. and promote your services.
On the other hand, in light of what Patrick was saying, most places do not allow soliciting, so therefore I would just walk into an office, and kindly and very briefly say to the front desk person, "Hi, I'm so and so with so and so mobile detailing, I'm just dropping off a couple of flyers for everyone. Thank you and have a nice day." But, if the office actually has a sign that says "No Soliciting", do not even go in, it will definitely be unprofessional and will be a big turn off.
The smartest but yet time consuming route to take would be to talk to the property manager that owns the entire office park and ask if you can firstly provide service on their property, and secondly if they can help in promoting your business to all of the offices in the park (Business park newsletter, group e-mail, etc.). I once did this before and my phone did not stop ringing!
If you do good marketing and more importantly you do good work for someone at an office park (word of mouth referral), office parks can be a gold mine. 60% of my business is from doing work at offices.
On the other hand, in light of what Patrick was saying, most places do not allow soliciting, so therefore I would just walk into an office, and kindly and very briefly say to the front desk person, "Hi, I'm so and so with so and so mobile detailing, I'm just dropping off a couple of flyers for everyone. Thank you and have a nice day." But, if the office actually has a sign that says "No Soliciting", do not even go in, it will definitely be unprofessional and will be a big turn off.
The smartest but yet time consuming route to take would be to talk to the property manager that owns the entire office park and ask if you can firstly provide service on their property, and secondly if they can help in promoting your business to all of the offices in the park (Business park newsletter, group e-mail, etc.). I once did this before and my phone did not stop ringing!
If you do good marketing and more importantly you do good work for someone at an office park (word of mouth referral), office parks can be a gold mine. 60% of my business is from doing work at offices.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
thecarguy said:
And I bet you got kicked out of a bunch of places, just in one day.
thecarguy said:
I guess what your asking is how to canvas a business park?
1) Make your rounds to each office and ask for the Office Managers name / card only. Then go to the next and next, do the same. Business to Business People do this all day long, so be prepared to see others doing the same.
2) Now you have a contact name, phone, fx, etc.
3) Make up a letter /“Special flyer� offering your services and drop it in a addressed
envelope. Hand deliver or mail it.
4) Hand deliver a flyer and ask the receptionist to post it in the lunch room. Like it was suggested, don’t spend much time unless invited by the manager.
Me, I would just join a networking group!!!
imported_thecarguy
New member
Setec Astronomy said:
It was too many years ago to count but we did get thrown out of a few. And some were very inviting - it was wierd that way.
imported_thecarguy
New member
doged said:
Have you foudn networking groups effective? If so, how?
:nixweiss I've never marketed like that, so I can't really tell you the best approach but I like Patrick's idea.
When I end up at a small business complex it is because I was contacted for a detail. Really don't have to do anything, people come out of their offices to talk to me. If you can get your foot in the door and do a detail or two for one office and you do quality work, you can pick up a lot more business without having to do a single other thing.
When I end up at a small business complex it is because I was contacted for a detail. Really don't have to do anything, people come out of their offices to talk to me. If you can get your foot in the door and do a detail or two for one office and you do quality work, you can pick up a lot more business without having to do a single other thing.
thecarguy said:
Much like everything it depends what group fits you. You have to check them all out before you choose. The group I’m in is more of a working group(business owners only) then a social breakfast club. It’s about generating work for each other and doing business as 70 then just 1. It cost $$$ to be in it also. Personally I receive a lot of business from it. Most of the other members tried the service groups, they didn’t help them much. Last time I asked about networking groups on this forum, I think only one person replied. Anyway just another tool for your tool box.
brwill2005
New member
Local chambers of commerce usually hold mixers where you can network with other professionals.
Everyone above has given very sound advice and pretty much the advice I would give also. Alot of it is playing the numbers and odds, just keep going everywhere you can and sooner or later people will give you try. Just be honest about what you can really do for a car.
Don't promise swirl removal or odor removal if you don't have the tools, if all you do is wash and clean than call yourself a wash and clean service, using the word detailing leads people to believe that you can work with paint and cure all their ills. Don't be scared to talk to other detailers and learn from them.
Secrataries are generally good people and have alot more power than ou think and cracking a small joke or commenting on the establishment goes a long ways.
Don't promise swirl removal or odor removal if you don't have the tools, if all you do is wash and clean than call yourself a wash and clean service, using the word detailing leads people to believe that you can work with paint and cure all their ills. Don't be scared to talk to other detailers and learn from them.
Secrataries are generally good people and have alot more power than ou think and cracking a small joke or commenting on the establishment goes a long ways.
imported_mirrorfinishman
New member
Okay, you go to a business park, go into a business and say; 'I noticed all of the expensive looking cars outside and thought everyone would be interested in knowing about my professional detailing services. I offer complete mobile detailing either at-work or at-home'. Hand them a business card and a flyer and thank them for their time. Keep it brief.
During the start-up phase of your business, it is a good idea to set aside at least one day a week to be devoted entirely to person-to-person direct sales. It is extremely important to make a good first impression. Always present yourself in a professional manner.
Never try to talk someone into having their car detailed. Just go out and talk to at least twenty five people about your detailing services and you are almost certain to get a least one new customer. If they are interested, you will know it right away.
Be willing to accept the fact that 24 out of 25 people you talk to will decline your offer. That is a 96% rejection rate. It would be easy to just give up after talking to the first few people. However, that is not what it is about. It is about getting new customers, one person at a time. Remember, the odds are only in your favor if you continue on and actually talk to at least twenty five people. Do not allow yourself to get discouraged. Think positively because the next person you talk to could possibly become your next new customer.
During the start-up phase of your business, it is a good idea to set aside at least one day a week to be devoted entirely to person-to-person direct sales. It is extremely important to make a good first impression. Always present yourself in a professional manner.
Never try to talk someone into having their car detailed. Just go out and talk to at least twenty five people about your detailing services and you are almost certain to get a least one new customer. If they are interested, you will know it right away.
Be willing to accept the fact that 24 out of 25 people you talk to will decline your offer. That is a 96% rejection rate. It would be easy to just give up after talking to the first few people. However, that is not what it is about. It is about getting new customers, one person at a time. Remember, the odds are only in your favor if you continue on and actually talk to at least twenty five people. Do not allow yourself to get discouraged. Think positively because the next person you talk to could possibly become your next new customer.
a.k.a. Patrick
New member
And thats the hard part, getting your foot in the door without being obtrusive. All you need is one (detail or wash job even) to get the ball rolling, and your work and ethics will speak for themselves.....
jvriii1942
New member
I started going out to the office park where my wife works and washing her car weekly. Other than her imediate co-workers nobody knows it's my wifes car I'm washing. Like with Scottwax people just come talk to me. I also do the same for my mother and a friend at there office parks when work is slow. Before just going out to do work I always contact the property management for permision and what there policy is.