Flyering Cars

[Dagz]

I'm thinking of making up some flyers to put on cars, to get some business for my new window tinting business. They'd have an offer like 10% off with this flyer. And I'd only put them on the type of cars that are likely customers.

Good idea?

 

[Jason_Fisher]

In theory a good idea, however... when i go to my car after shopping or something like that and there is a flyer on my wipers, it winds me up, and it may give a negative impact on your business? Thats just me personally though, i'm sure most people are not like that.

There is someone in my local area who does flyers for people (small businesses), you might want to have a look in your area. He gets 12 businesses who have an offer or discount and charges them £100 to be on his flyer, 6 each side. He then mail drops them in the local area. When i spoke to him for myself it sounds extremely interesting.

You pay £100 and your offer on the flyer will go to 10,000 households in the local area. To me, that doesn't sound like a bad idea. 10,000 leaflets with printing etc cost roughly £250 ish i would have thought, so its not a bad deal, he obviously makes his money by having 12 businesses on the flyers instead of just the one. AND the person in the household will receive 12 good offers from local businesses in the local area instead of just one. Maybe something you could look into if someone does it in your area?

 

[stevon]

I ran a car wash and we used to flyer cars. We didn't do any discounts with them but basically it was just saying "Your cars dirty, heres a car wash round the corner, its £5" and they worked remarkably well.

I sent a wee tart who used to hang about the area out with a couple of hundred flyers to put on cars/give to motorists in a busy car park nearby... Was our busiest day ever. I'd definitately keep doing it!

I actually remember a bit of my dissertation on small business/local enterprising etc. I interviewed a mate whos an auto electrician about this (kind of) and I remember him saying he did it and a lot of the people he had flyered had thought "Oh I don't need this but my mate does" or kept it for when they needed it. These flyers have popped up once or twice when I've been in his office with people bringing them in that got them years ago!

I think that'd be particularly effective for window tinting - I know I wouldn't tint the windows on my car the moment! But I'm planning on getting myself a Range Rover for Christmas and imagine for some insane reason the back windows weren't tinted (I've seen it!) then I'd keep it for that use. And my mates into his big alloys/sub/etc. and he's been yabbering on about tinting his windows - so I'd mention it to him no doubt.

As you say it's all about targetting the right cars really though - I wouldn't bother with the 1.1 Micras with disabled badges! Stick to the Corsa crews I'd say!

 

[Wholesale-Suppliers]

Yeah this is a good idea to get your self associate with some car wash centers if you interested in making flyers and doing business of them

 

[vvaannmmaann]

Read this.
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=49664

 

[garyk]

awful, there should be snipers patrolling car parks ready to pick off idiots who do this.

thats how I feel about it!

 

[Arsh4d]

I always scrunch up the flyer and find the closest bin.

I'd rather somebody stood outside a supermarket and offered me a flyer, atleast that way i'd take one if i was interested.

 

[davek17]

Hi Dags

I really hate flyers on my car. You don't see them, you drive off and then it rains and you end up scratching your screen or having to stop to remove them.

In my opinion this is interruptive and non-permission marketing and it will die over time and so it should, even if it works for you now.

Get more creative and do something that doesn't involve upsetting half of your customers before they even know about you.

DaveK17

 

[Wee Print]

Hi Dags,

I sent you a pm

 

I must admit, I hate it too. Especially if you are in a rush and only notice it after you get in the car. If you are going to do it, I would rather you put tucked it in the drivers side window, that way I can see it and take it off before I get in the car.

Kind regards

Zöe

 

[Dagz]

Read this.
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=49664

Thanks. I can't believe how opposing the opinions are on this subject, very controversial!

I completely understand why people don't like it, because I don't like it myself. But then I've never been interested in what has been advertised, and it's completely untargeted. There are certain cars that 9 times out of 10 have owners that will be interested in getting the windows tinted. For example, as stevon said, range rovers. So if they're interested in the service, and the flyer has a genuine offer on it, would they still get annoyed?

As well as targeting certain cars only, what other ways are there to reduce negative responses? I think the quality of the flyer definately makes a difference - the higher the quality, the less it is considered a piece of litter. And do you think a smaller flyer is less offensive? Would it be worth apologising for the flyer on the flyer?! Would it be worth stating that their car has been picked out?

I definately take the comments saying it's a bad idea seriously, I am not a cheap place and don't want to come across as one. But I need work, and it's frustrating to see these cars sitting there whose owners would probably be interested but are unaware of my service.

 

[davek17]

Hi Dagz

Isn't it as valid to say that if a car is a range rover and hasn't had their windows tinted then they have chosen not have them done?

You're going to of course get some takers but as long as you understand that the concept is ineligant as it will peeve off 90%+ of the peple you target. Even if you target range rovers.

I might not represent everyone when I say this but I actively do not use anyone who flyers or mails me without permission and god help anyone who interrupts my free time by cold calling my home or interrupting me in town (Yes I mean you Greenpeace!!!).

The reason is that from experience if a company isn't putting any thought into getting customers, they probably aren't putting any effort into their services or care of their customers.

 

[Dagz]

The reason is that from experience if a company isn't putting any thought into getting customers, they probably aren't putting any effort into their services or care of their customers.

Do you mean you'd presume they're no good because if they were they wouldn't need to flyer? That's a fair assumption, but what if the business is brand spanking new? This is me putting effort into getting customers isn't it?

 

[What If]

I hate finding flyers on my car! I remember once this happened in a well known supermarket car park. An elderly gentman wasn't too pleased and complained to the manager. This bloke was so mad he eventually got the store manager to walk around the whole car park and remove every leaflet!!! The leafleting doesn't happen often now, those trolley boys are like hawks!


Back on topic...I can cope with leaflets coming through my letterbox (I might have a look and be tempted to buy!). On my car though...it would have the complete opposite effect. I personaly would never use your company if you employed this tactic (Not matter how good the offer!).

 

[Dagz]

Back on topic...I can cope with leaflets coming through my letterbox (I might have a look and be tempted to buy!). On my car though...it would have the complete opposite effect. I personaly would never use your company if you employed this tactic (Not matter how good the offer!).

I wouldn't want to post them because this would be completely untargeted and 99% of people wouldn't be interested. Where as choosing the cars I'm sure 90% of people would be interested.

I think because so many people feel so strongly about this I definately can't do it as I want my business to be known as the best in town (which it is), and not a cheapo tint shop.

I'm going to get some flyers made and just walk around all day waiting to see these suitable cars with their owners, so I can hand the flyer over. Probably 1000 times less efficient, but rather than negative feelings towards my business, I will be showing my business in a positive light. Annoying though!

 

[David Earle]

It's a bloody nuisance. You might get good results by contacting local "cruising" groups -they nearly always have websites & forums. Attend meets etc.

 

[davek17]

Hi Dagz

I'm not saying i'm right, and I am only being opinionated because it's the most interesting way to debate and learn from 2 opinions in my view.

What I meant by that comment was that anyone can spend £200 get a flyer (that looks the same as any other flyer) and (do the same as everyone else does) stick it on peoples cars or through doors etc etc.

What you could try is to get a blog, teach people about the wonders of your products, contribute to any other forum you can find (You're lucky because your competitors are only the local businesses) and be patient. Why not write about how great tinting is for babies, pets, privacy. Get people to upload pictures of their cars tinted? This is free and you're only writing or videoing about something that you are clearly quite passionate about anyway. This contributes to your customers it doesn't interrupt them or annoy them, in fact it gives to them!

That said it is still known that flyers do work for certain local businesses so the other golden rule about marketing is to try it, measure it and review it again. You're not going to harm your business by trying flyers, perhaps my emotions about them got the better of me there!! Just don;t stick one on my car!!! ;-)

 

[dingbat]

And do you think a smaller flyer is less offensive? Would it be worth apologising for the flyer on the flyer?! Would it be worth stating that their car has been picked out?

I don't like them either but that idea might work. Maybe stick 'Please don't be offended...' in bold letters on one side then on the reverse explain that you only target specific vehicles etc..

 

[oldeagleeye]

Great varition on the same theme. Anyway I think so as is novel and overcomes the problem mention of leaflets under wipers being annoying. it is also simple.

If that 10% off for example worksout about say £50 quid have a word with the manager of a big supermarket and say that your considering a £50 grocery voucher. No doubt he would welcome the idea and allow you to give leaflets to customers as theyenter the store as well as allowing you to use the car park for more targeted customers.

BTW. You could also do the same with say a car spares shop as people really in cars will want other gizmos too. In that case slit the leaflet and the cost .

Rob

 

As blunt-edged marketing, you will be extremely lucky to get 0.5% response - as long as this is factored in, then go for it!

Don't worry about the people who don't like flyers, they aren't going to be your customer any way (and if they are, they certainly won't remember your name from the flyer)

 

[mitch@volume]

when installing car audio i got a couple of my best customers from putting a postcard under their wiper.
Only ever did certain cars that i thought would be interested, probably "flyer'd" half a dozen cars each month in all my day to day driving.

 

[stevon]

I didn't give a toss about approaching store managers/offending people... I did the local shopping centre, Aldi, Lidl,ASDA, Morrisson's, Bingo, Post Office, even nearby petrol stations! The nature of my flyering was a bit different - I was putting it on 95% of cars I passed.

Obviously it'd be great to go and have a wee chat with managers, try and get their permissions, etc. and try and not get anyone annoyed by putting a flyer on but at the end of the day - it made me a lot of money and I think it'll be effective for you as well - so do it.

Thing is, we put out thousands upon thousands of those flyers for the car wash - hundreds of people commented with things like:
"Oh this is really handy I live just up the road"
"I didn't know you guys were here"

Not once did somebody come to the car wash and have a go for flyering their car, or anyone say anything while I was flyposting cars.

Be bold.

 

[garyk]

It's a bloody nuisance. You might get good results by contacting local "cruising" groups -they nearly always have websites & forums. Attend meets etc.

Yep thats a bloody good idea, at least getting nearer to your target market, the boys in their razzed up corsa's and citroens (or whatever the latest trendy car to have is) ready to spend some cash on their beloved mota'

 

[chief07]

hmm, I have to side with the people who say this is annoying. It probably would work as a marketing technique but on the other hand you might put people off...