Hi! Introducing my business

[FeatherST]

Hi everyone!

I am Feather, and I live in Middletown, NJ. I am starting a Mobile Automobile Service business. I focus more on inspections, such as Pre-Purchase Inspections (PPIs) and Complete Vehicle Health Inspections (CVHIs), which are useful for individuals who want to stay ahead of potential issues and identify problems before they become major issues. I also perform regular services, including oil changes, Tune-ups, spark plug changes, code reading, and most repairs (anything that does not require a shop, inquire within).

I am struggling to attract new customers, and I would really appreciate feedback!

What have you done that brought the most leads, and didn't break the budget? My current Marketing budget is basically nonexistent.

Thank you in advance!

@ALL 

[HC_Charlie]

Hello @FeatherST thanks for your post and welcome to the Square Community...we're glad you're here! And congrats on your new business. It's both an exciting and challenging time when you take that leap...

one of the first ideas that came to my mind in reading about your business...

Since you offer mobile services, you might be able to "partner" or offer your services where there are employees parked for the day. Consider it a "captive" customer base LOL. For example, maybe there is a large insurance company in your town that employees a few hundred people. See if you can touch base with their human resource department or internal communications team and offer some discounts/loyalty cards to their employees. They could then book your service and have you complete your work while they are at the office for the day. 

There could be some logistical issues you may need to work out, but I'm thinking like the mobile wind shield repair vans that travel to a customer to fix their ding or crack in their windshield. So because you're mobile I would invest in good vehicle signage/wraps. Check out a local sign shop or search who does vehicle wraps close to you. Driving around town in your vehicle is like a mobile billboard for advertising. Be sure to add your phone number and Square website and contact info on the vehicle, as well as some basic info. The sign shop should be able to help guide you on the design.

Hope this helps give you some ideas on getting started. Good luck to you and keep posting and chatting in the Square Community.

[FeatherST]

Thanks! I'll definitely work on that! Thank you for the tips!!

[VanKalkerFarms]

I don't know how much it drives sales but I follow multiple mobile oil change businesses on TikTok and boy they get some major views.  I can literally just watch 20 minutes of their videos.  If they were I my area I would call them without a doubt.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8SGVKbK/

Facebook can be a fairly cheap way to get the word out but that has lost a lot of its bang over the past 5 years.

Basically the simple get your customers to recommend you to their friends, if that means giving out a card and the person who gave out the card gets a discount on their next oil change.

[CareyJo]

Welcome to Square!  I hope things have gone well for you in the last 30 days and that you're seeing some growth.

We're a mobile service business also, so I can relate.  There are several things I would do that are free or mostly free.

1.  Pound the FB pavement and any other socials you're on.  I would recommend a few things:  A) Always post a photo, not just words.  FB will not pick it up or distribute it without a photo.  Make sure your content is relatable to your business and your demographics.  B) Join all of the relatable groups in your area.  Classified pages are the best.  Share all of your posts in your groups.  It dramatically increases the number of impressions.  C) Don't ever pay for FB advertising or pay someone to do it for you.  Do it yourself unless AND until you can't keep up with it anymore.  At that point, make sure you have very strict guidelines for an employee who's doing it for you.  If you don't or can't have employees, then keep doing it yourself at all costs.  D) Reserve your posting time to the evening or early morning when you don't have appointments, unless you have an open block of time you need to fill.  Use a calendar to pre-plan your posts.  Get into your page and schedule them, so they post automatically.  You can schedule up to 10 days in advance.  E) Watch for local events in your area that are public, that you can attend, that provide you an opportunity to mingle with people and network.

2.  Connect with partnering businesses like @HC_Charlie said - you can do privately owned car lots and detailers.  They don't do the work you do but they are always being asked for referrals.

3.  Find all of the bulletin boards in your area and hang up your cards.  I know this is old fashioned and rather outdated, but trust me, they still get used.

4.  This one costs money, but all of them are different.  Join your local Chamber.  Do the networking, go to the events, attend free seminars, visit with other members.  Take advantage of the business benefits you receive for joining.  Use their free advertising and the option to post your business on their website.  When you join, they will usually do a blurb about you that gets sent out to their mailing list.  Write it yourself and talk it up!  Use every opportunity you can to network or connect your services with other business owners.  Find ones that own a fleet of vehicles or an event you can sponsor to get your name out.  Any advertising you get from a charitable contribution as a sponsor is tax deductible by federal law.

Hope this helps!