Best way to advertise

[Airgunner]

I know a general title but I'm looking to advertise a new venture, I plan on offering a mobile automotive air conditioning service and regas to my local area, I have looked at the local advertising magazine and while the coverage is excellent, it's full colour and free I would have to pay £120 per month to advertise to the whole area which for a £40 service seems a lot as I can't see me selling that many re-gases to justify the expense!
Does anyone have any suggestions for such a service?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ethical PR]

The most effective way to identify how best to reach your customers (if you haven't done so already) is to put together a marketing plan. Lots of free advice available online on how to put one together including Marketing Donut.

The key is understand who your customers are - what communications channels they use and to have a strong, clearly defined offer - why should they buy from you and how is your product/service going to help them (and how is better/different than your competitors).

 

[TealDigital]

Have you considered online marketing? Local SEO-search engine optimisation (although a long term strategy) and PPC- pay per click (immediate results) could perhaps be your best bet. For your PPC campaigns you can set a daily budget, monitor closely and adjust as needed and best of all you reach people searching for your services (or related services) as opposed to print advertising which is quite passive in comparison.

 

[Airgunner]

I'm looking at all that ethical so hopefully I'll get my mind straight on what I want to do soon! And yes I think ppc will be the best short term option but the last time I used it for my other business (b2b) I found it cost prohibitive but maybe this avenue may work.
Thanks for the advise so far guys! Its a bit daunting offering a joe public business service as I'm used to dealing with faceless companies and organisations but I do need to get this to really work!

 

[Homer J Simpson]

I'd contact garages/MOT stations and see if you could do some sort of joint venture. Pay them per job they pass to you, that way you're only paying for actual customers. Not just to be seen in a magazine or clicked on via Google PPC etc.

 

[Airgunner]

That maybe the way to go, I'll have to have drive around the local garages and see what is available!
Just need to make some time to push it a little harder... There just isn't the hours in the day! Oh and I'm not skiving now just trying to find that old thread "build a trades business on a budget" well I think that was what it was called, such a shame the guy involved pulled the plug as it would have been quite interesting!

 

[intelligentppc]

PPC costs whatever you want it to. Usually it's a volume vs cost trade-off.

 

[Alphaxiom]

You can use a lot more resources to promote your business such as putting a local classified ad online on some free websites. Submit it to directory listings in town which are free and also online. Send out emails and have them passed on to as many people as possible. Get multiple mailing lists and contact people about your new business!! You are off to a good start. In awhile you will be flooded with responses and the rest is in your hands!

 

[Alan]

Will it be a mobile service or from a fixed location.

My first thoughts are advertise where people are in their cars with failing AirCon.

Which means either a road side sign (for fixed location) or on your van if you are mobile.