Just took over a mobile detailing biz from a guy who was basically running it off word of mouth and a magnetic sign on his truck. I'm not a car guy but I can run a business. Problem is I need to get customers. What actually works for detailing? I'm not trying to burn money on Google Ads if nobody clicks.
detailing
how to market a detailing business
Google Ads can work but only if you geofence it tight and use call-only. Otherwise you're paying for people who just want a car wash. What's your price point
Honestly the best thing I ever did was park my rig at a Cars & Coffee and just start detailing one car for free while people watched. Got three bookings that morning. Car people love watching the process. Also, don't sleep on local Facebook groups. Not the marketplace, the enthusiast groups. Post bef ore/after pics. The 50/50 shots do numbers.
Yeah the 50/50 before/after is basically free marketing. I'd add: get a cheap gimbal for your phone and do timelapses. Post to TikTok and Reels. Detailing is weirdly satisfying content.
The Cars & Coffee thing is interesting. Did you have to get permission from the organizers or just show up? And what's a realistic budget for the phone gimbal stuff? I'm trying to keep startup costs low.
Just showed up. Nobody cares. I brought a pop-up canopy and a couple of cones. But I did ask the organizer first, to be fair. They were cool with it because it gave people something to do.
All this content stuff is great if you have time. If you want calls this week, go to the nearest office park and talk to the property manager. Offer a fleet deal. B2B detailing is boring but it's reliable money. Half these guys don't even know mobile detailing exists.
Word of mouth took him how long to build? Exactly. Don't throw that away. Ask him for a list of past customers and send a simple text: new owner, 15% off your next detail. That's your cheapest campaign right there.
He actually left me his customer list in the sale. I hadn't even thought to text them directly. Pixelated_pear that might be the move. Grumpy_yard_guy how do you even find the property manager for a specific building? Just walk in?
Walk in, ask fro nt desk who handles maintenance or facilities. If it's a big building it's usually a management company. But yeah, walking in works. Wear a polo, not a tank top. I know that sounds dumb but it matters.