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Super Member
Want to make Money? Learn to network
I figured I'd throw out my experience and what I've learned over the last few years from owning a separate business and working on a detailing related business at the same time.
First off, Social Media has helped land some jobs, but it easily becomes a place to spend way too much time watching what everyone else is doing and comparing myself to others who are in totally different life situations. I sold my main business a few months ago and I've slowly become accustomed to doing mobile work. Side Note: Not having a place for people to drop off cars or not being able to control the elements has been difficult.
Now when I think of myself, the words social and outgoing are not at the top of my list. Somehow I've slowly come out of my comfort zone a little at a time. During this rainy weather, I've been grateful enough to have several jobs thrown my way from other business owners. Some of them I haven't talked to or seen in months/years. Networking with other business owners unlocks a lot of potential for anyone who is starting out or wants to turn up the wick on their volume.
I don't have anywhere near a significant following on my IG of Facebook, but some of the people I networked with in the past do have a decent audience. Being successful in business, and life in general comes down to who you know and how you use that information/connection.
For example one of my contacts is a mechanic. I've used a part of his small shop to do basic details when the weather is bad or the customer doesn't have a solid place. During my last detail, one of his customers needed a headlight restoration. So of course I went ahead and knocked it out after my scheduled job. It was another $60 I wasn't expecting to make. On another occasion, I've run into some of his customers I haven't seen since I sold my other business and started mobile. Boom, another "full interior" detail because I was in the right place at the right time. I had one drive 2.5 hours to get their brand new Corolla paint corrected/protected because they trusted the word of their friend. Keep in mind that many of the seeds you plant today may not sprout for months or years down the road.
So this is just one example of a connection. Imagine if you have a dozen of these solid connections. Your connections learn the quality of the work you do so they can help weed out people you may not want to service.
If you are working by yourself and need to increase your volume, I suggest spending some time in the community and talking to people. I've heard people say this before but it took a while for it to connect with me.
Yes I've gotten work through messaging people online, but my bigger paying jobs come through my word of mouth network. Build up a reputation and network that people can trust, and they will accept your pricing and value your time.
So forget about the saturation in your area, the bad weather, the cheaper operators. It doesn't take skill to make excuses. I am constantly working on my procrastination and excuse making. I'm aware of it and that's a good start...haha... Seriously just get out of your comfort zone and network. Create your spiderweb of opportunities. Remember to get out and network when it's slow, BUT also when it's busy. Soon the big dips and waves will even out and your workflow will continue to rise.
Stay balanced, love life, treat everyone with respect.
-Rob
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Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience Rob, much appreciated.
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Super Member
Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience Rob, much appreciated.
You're welcome. This topic is what made me search for better information when I first started out, and then I found Autogeek. After that I read several of your articles and put them into practice. I'm happy to give back and hope that it helps at least 1 person.
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Regular Member
Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
I have done this very thing quite a few times. If I don't have a time slot or the ability to meet a potential customers needs....for example I don't do PPF, I refer them to someone I know that does great work that's in the area and he does the same for me. I just spent the greater part of an afternoon hanging around at another detailers shop because we both didn't have any customers at the moment and hadn't really linked up besides car shows. I learned a few tricks for my bag and so did he. I am just now getting into the real estate broker/realtor sector of the local folks through church contacts. It makes for an interesting network of folks once you really start working it. I've even referred customers to other customers who were looking for a certain professional service (CPA's, lawyers, physicians) because when I was interacting with them it came up in conversation.
Too many folks worry about what everyone else is doing and not enough about spreading who they are through their local environment.
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Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
Great info guys. I'm just looking to start out in the detailing industry (very small scale, part time around my full time job) and it's provided me with some good insight.
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Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
This is great info. My wife has a friend who is a chiropractor in Texas. When we visited with her a short while ago, she could not emphasize how much being a member of her local chamber of commerce has helped launch her practice. You are so right about social media being a rabbit hole of "What's everyone else doing" as opposed to just rolling up your sleeves and doing your thing. Great post my friend
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Newbie Member
Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
I couldn't agree more, I just started moonlighting out of my shop and creating a customer base is difficult. But knowing someone and them referencing you is proving to be some of the best business I've gotten.
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Super Member
Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
Thank you for posting your experience. Growing a business in any industry can be a challenge. Networking is very important.
I noticed that a major part of my client base consist of other business owners.
Contractors to dog walkers. All these people know other business owners as well. I always make it an effort to connect with these ones. Some I have had success on LinkedIn to say the least.
They may not need my services right away, but it eventually swings my way.
I whole heartedly agree to do good work. Work so good that they can justify spending their money. More importantly, help spread the word.
Anyway, thanks for your experience once again.
Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
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Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
A newcomer to the business can't become a competitor right away, he always interacts with the big fish. But then how does he stay afloat when he can compete with them? Example with the headlights certainly impressive but few people turn to those who do not have parking for repairs, this is an isolated case. I plan to make money online here, not to get customers in bad weather because the competition is closed or they do not work in the rain. They can afford it and I can't? That's how you'll get used to be available at any time
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Super Member
Re: Want to make Money? Learn to network
Originally Posted by AmeliaFg
A newcomer to the business can't become a competitor right away, he always interacts with the big fish. But then how does he stay afloat when he can compete with them? Example with the headlights certainly impressive but few people turn to those who do not have parking for repairs, this is an isolated case. I plan to make money online here, not to get customers in bad weather because the competition is closed or they do not work in the rain. They can afford it and I can't? That's how you'll get used to be available at any time
It is no coincidence that man's best friend cannot talk.
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