what else do i need to get business?

ive been doing side jobs for about 6 months now and passed out flyers and bussines cards  and at this time im not getting any calls does anybody know what else i can do??? i know some stuff and what i dont know ill make it up feel free to ask

You need to "know your customers" each area, geographically speaking, has customers that have different needs. What the popular "thing" in your area. What does the competition offer. How can you be different from them? Maybe re-think whats on your flyer. Does it appeal to the masses, or is directed towards a small demographic. Hit up a couple of used car lots....

KarTuneMan wrote: You need to "know your customers" each area, geographically speaking, has customers that have different needs. What the popular "thing" in your area. What does the competition offer. How can you be different from them? Maybe re-think whats on your flyer. Does it appeal to the masses, or is directed towards a small demographic. Hit up a couple of used car lots....

  Couldn't have said it better. One thing that helped me is know your local shops. Even to this day when I see a shop pop up, so do I, I see who runs it you know find out what they have that you don't and who they know.  Lots of times I got into places because I knew somebody over here that knew somebody over there that likes me. Network! Find the biggest/most businessed shop and pass out some cards to them, exchange phone numbers, from time to time they will need help. I got hooked up with different shops and got my name an face out there then produced business cards.Southern Stylez

Jacksonville, FL 32218

Used car dealerships. Pass out cards to them. You'll get a lot of business for fixing problems with cars they buy or putting radios in.

Word of mouth is the best form of advertising. Do top quality work and your work will speak for itself when it turns up work that's been referred to you by other customer's.Jeff

Velocity Custom Home Theater

Mobile Audio/Video Specialist

Morden, Manitoba CANADA

Jeff's right, word of mouth an make ya or break ya. Do high quality work and treat people right, it will pay off.  Defintely hit some car lots, but on the down side don't take on so much work that you cut corners to get it done, I am losing a competitor as a result of that exact action....

You can also have customers from the past display and promote your business for you. I had a local shop make stickers for me to display on my customers cars and to hand out to people they hang out with, work with, or see when showing off your work. Cards also work in the same fashon but I found the stickers a bit more effective. But for higher volumes of business listen to Jeff he knows what he's talking about.

your local message board or forum will be your 2nd best bet. usually imports forums are where the young customers are and words get around fast. Houston,TX

"The two most common elements in the universe are H+ and stupidity" (Ellison).

promote using your own vehicle.  It will be a display of your workmanship.  Its also a great way to introduce new brands. Its leaves a huge impact when people see an uncommon brand perform well in a daily driver or an inexpensive setup perform beyond expectations.

don't be afraid to offer discounts or free products for referrals... Different line of work, but it's not that uncommon for me to have a customer line up 5 or 6 jobs for me, just so he can get some free LED lighting/strobes... the more "free" equipment he earns, the easier it is for him to sell to other potential customers... other than my own demo vehicle , he has HIS vehicle, which I've outfitted, which is essentially another demo car... the more he works for me, the better stuff he gets .. works out for both parties...Owner, Covert Vehicle Products, Specializing in Covert Emergency Vehicle Lighting, Communications, and Data Delivery Solutions.