business advertising.. and free advertising

[blackie_2k5]

i know alot of you run your own business etc...whats worth paying for and what can you do free..

never hurts to be looking in the right places.

(recovery & vehicle transport)

[Giraffe]

What kind of work do you get the most? Is it from people who have broken down? Companies who need you to recover a car? People who want a car collecting and moving?

[Jizanthapus]

How about a plane dragging a banner over your local town/city?

[blackie_2k5]

most of my work is delivery work, or collection broken down vehicle from homes to take to garages after their agent (AA RAC etc) has delivered them from the initial breakdown..or on behalf of local garages

[Giraffe]

Well really the first step is to know how people will go about looking for someone to do that, e.g. would they check yell.com or would they do a google search or something. I'd imagine a member of the public would use google - so making sure you have a website, no matter how basic, that is on the first page is nigh on imperative. My Dad managed it just by updating constantly and making sure key words were in there. If it's on behalf of local garages, might be worth approaching them with a card or leaflet or something so they know you exist. They also might be more inclined to use something like yell.com or even google, so I'd make sure I was on there.

A website is sort of a must nowadays though, as well as being at the forefront of google, which takes a lot of effort.

[Brettles1986]

I imagine getting in with car groups on FB would be your best source of business. You are probably already onto that on though.

You have a website I see, getting the keywords and content right on that is a good starting point as well in order to maintain google ranking.

[blackie_2k5]

Well really the first step is to know how people will go about looking for someone to do that, e.g. would they check yell.com or would they do a google search or something. I'd imagine a member of the public would use google - so making sure you have a website, no matter how basic, that is on the first page is nigh on imperative. My Dad managed it just by updating constantly and making sure key words were in there. If it's on behalf of local garages, might be worth approaching them with a card or leaflet or something so they know you exist. They also might be more inclined to use something like yell.com or even google, so I'd make sure I was on there.

A website is sort of a must nowadays though, as well as being at the forefront of google, which takes a lot of effort.

I imagine getting in with car groups on FB would be your best source of business. You are probably already onto that on though.

You have a website I see, getting the keywords and content right on that is a good starting point as well in order to maintain google ranking.

im not sure if youre trolling with the first bit brett ;)

yea ive got a site(shit but it does rank locally),i ave a google page just waiting for the new pin car for te updates to go live, im on yell paying, on yaoo paying, use gumtree with a weekly paid ad, aswell as monthly listings on ebay, have tried a few things to varying effect(google being pretty shit IMO), i get plenty work but its always nice to have more. local garage with cards etc is the best way..its free and lots of work lol

the site is the main let down but being so shit at IT and getting enough on atm to see my through its low on my priority list atm... the amount of competition round my way is pretty high so getting on the first page isnt easy in most areas..but in my area ive managed it..just further afield i struggle.. however the google maps/google page should help that hugely when i get te pin card back

the site ill be doing more on as i go..want the google page done first

[Giraffe]

I've heard a few times that you should budget for marketing and advertising and stuff, then triple it, and that's probably what you want to be spending, because nobody ever allocates enough to it.

Takes a lot of effort and dedication but #1 on google is probably the biggest one you can do for free.

The quality of the website I'm not sure is THAT important, as long as it states what you do, maybe has a few testimonials, pictures and clear contact info (would be handy to have T+C's as well) and maybe some sort of price guide, what else do you need?

Sounds like you're doing ok already though mate.

[blackie_2k5]

yeah they reckon an average business should be spending about £1k a month at least on advertising

i probably spend about a 1/4 of that, but my regulars and garage work keep me going, the private jobs are just gap fillers...however i want to be at a point that im regularly turning work away so i can get another truck set on, i use load of free directory site etc..mainly looking to see if anyone knows of any of them?

more places your name and number is the better.. the site is really basic but for my type of business it doesnt really need to be anything special, as you say its the content that really matters... its working but need to massively improve lol

[qrty]

I know a few lads locally that get a fair bit of work from quoting on shiply.com :y:

[Brettles1986]

If I was you I would install Wordpress on your hosting package and use that for your website. It's easy enough to use and there is a ton of themes and plugins you can use.

If I was you I would try getting flyers made and get them into motorsport shops and local motor factors. You want to be in the public eye but in relevant places.

[blackie_2k5]

I know a few lads locally that get a fair bit of work from quoting on shiply.com :y:

i used to use shiply and a few others but in all honesty unless you do regular distance work for cheap back loads its not really worth it

If I was you I would install Wordpress on your hosting package and use that for your website. It's easy enough to use and there is a ton of themes and plugins you can use.

If I was you I would try getting flyers made and get them into motorsport shops and local motor factors. You want to be in the public eye but in relevant places.

i use yola.. and im not sure itll be compatible? the hosting and site builder side of it is pretty easy but the mobile theme for the site is wank :n: :(

got laods flyer though :) drop them regular, surprising how muc work good old fashion flyers and business cards do

taking the XSI on the truck to a local car meet the other also got me an extra garage to run recovery for.

[sharpy24]

Get on all the local/regional car groups on facebook too and advertise that way and theres millions of selling pages too just keep plugging away at those even if its just a copy/paste message people will remember seeing it and look for you when the time comes or pass your name onto someone who might need your services.

Also a lot of places advertise their business page on facebook so look into doing that and maybe contact already existing garages/motorsport places and ask if you can place an ad on their page or ask if you can go to their place to leave some leaflets/business cards etc

[Exousia]

Speak to the manger at your local car auction , if you can advertise
There you will be quids in .
Some auctions offer a delivery service so check
First . All those cars need moving . Most traders have no transporter .
Good luck mate

[chompy]

Sponsor some rally/race guys. You'd probably get a fair bit of work from them.

[MuZiZZle]

Sponsor me, I'm ace

[G-wiz]

If its an Auto Service mate, then id recommend EasyAutoAds.co.uk

It didn't cost me & i have had a few new customers since.

free exposure is always good :)

[MuZiZZle]

free exposure is always good :)

I wish the girls in the park thought that, I say girls, by girls I mean "anyone"