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BlackC55

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Feb 8, 2007
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Location
Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Car
E55K SL500 E250X2 Smart44 Brabus Track car E450Cabriolet X350 Pick up
Hello all.

I have never done much advertising at all. Just a few ads in MB mag etc. I have not realy ever needed it.

I am still busy and don't really need any extra work but I intend to employ another MB trained tech.

I have just sacked one of my lads a few weeks ago so need to fill that space.

If either Jack or I go on holiday the workshop becomes an absolute nightmare with the work load and paperwork. It is just too much for one person, so we need three techs as an ideal number.

If there is 3 MB train techs we need about 15% more work to cover the extra costs so I thought some direct advertising would help.

We have a local (very popular) news paper here that has a motoring section that is pretty good. I intend to place an editorial in there about PCS and what we do. I have not placed an advert in that publication before.

I will also run a radio advertisment with Jack FM. Jack FM is a new but very popular radio station and will target my audience I believe. A local BMW specialist does radio ads and he is very positive about them.

Does anyone have any tips that may help me?
 
Olly,


Just a thought....

I would also consider getting a Google specialist involved (SEO/SEM).

Local advertising will also get to people who are looking for cheap servicing, and this is probably not your target audience because you are obviously not competing with KwikFit oil change.

Marketing through the website will allow you to target those who are fed-up with either the service level or prices (or both) from main dealers, as well as those who need some specialist work done (e.g. AMG owners and mods). I believe these are you preferred clients?

And the target audience is really the SE and even farther rather then just locally?

Best of luck with growing your business.
 
All the seo and google stuff is taken care of. It's the more local work that I need help with.
 
Business cards or flyers under the wipers of parked Mercedes (obviously only applies to local cars).

Advertising sign at local indi petrol station.

Cross advertising with local tyre centre. They refer MB cars to you and vice versa.
 
Get a customer to give you a good review on the Honest John Good Garage Guide? Good Garages | Honest John

Local newspapers can be pricey for adverts but a nice [ free ?] editorial piece might be offered in exchange for an extended advertising contract. If they offer you that option be sure you have a degree of "editorial input" to the final article since the journo writing it may not have much clue about mercedes/car servicing. Might be helpful to have a publicity shot of a local customer singing your praises [ the more famous the better!] to emphasis you cater for local owners?? It's also helpful to negotiate some limited reproduction rights of the article which you may wish to use for further publicity/handouts?
 
Business cards or flyers under the wipers of parked Mercedes (obviously only applies to local cars).

I cant think of anything else worse myself than someone placing somthing on my car - seems 'cheap' way of advertising IMO.

I agree with the other methods though :thumb:
 
wemorgan said:
Business cards or flyers under the wipers of parked Mercedes (obviously only applies to local cars).

Advertising sign at local indi petrol station.

Cross advertising with local tyre centre. They refer MB cars to you and vice versa.

I do all that already.
 
Word of mouth / use of client networks is an amazing resource. Offer your local customers a discount voucher or something similar for each new customer they introduce.

That way you only pay out if you get business.
 
Similar to what Charles says; do a 'recommend a friend' scheme where they both get a loyalty card to stamp and once they get to ten services/visit stamps, they get a free oil & filter change.
 
Try Ollie FM as well as Jack FM...double exposure.:p
 
Start your own Facebook page and YouTube channel - add some basic servicing guides etc
 
As Grober says, lots of positive comments from customers goes a long way. - Perhaps you could take some of the ones fron this forum?
 
Sponsor a local team? kids leage? think of all those parents needing work on their cars? :)
 
KillerHERTZ said:
Sponsor a local team? kids leage? think of all those parents needing work on their cars? :)

I sponsor a racing driver and a football team.
 
wemorgan said:
Start your own Facebook page and YouTube channel - add some basic servicing guides etc

Work in current progress as well as twatter.
 
I cant think of anything else worse myself than someone placing somthing on my car - seems 'cheap' way of advertising IMO.

I agree with the other methods though :thumb:

An indy local to me left a flyer on my car whilst I was at my local gym and I was quite impressed. I thought it a bit pointless though on a 3 month old car, especially as Mercedes Agility contracts force you to use a main dealer.
 

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