What Bodyshop Magazine do you like the best?

I've tried a few adds here and there, and have found that it doesn't usually help to much.. you can honestly pay to run a add for anything, the problem with adds are is that it seems nobody really pays any attention to them or gives them much merit because you can make them say whatever you want.. But when a guy uses it in his garage or the guy that used it at one shop and goes to another has hands on experience and is right there to discuss his experience with the company.. It's just worth a whole lot more.
 
i found over the years that passing out cheap tshirts was the very best . i also learned NOT to do black shirts ( too hot ) and no white shirts ( gals dont like'em ) so i used gray .
 
Sponsoring other forums might not be a terrible idea either, a lot of guys (myself included) try to always buy from sponsors that keep there favorite sites going. Pro-touring.com is a big one, I think a few users on here are on there as well.
 
mitch_04;32272 said:
Sponsoring other forums might not be a terrible idea either, a lot of guys (myself included) try to always buy from sponsors that keep there favorite sites going. Pro-touring.com is a big one, I think a few users on here are on there as well.
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Very good idea!!

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I'm also on pro-touring as a sponsoring member.. I have a few projects on there.
 
I think for a jobber advertising on a forum or in any major magazine would be about the same as throwing money out the window ans I agree shirts would perhaps be the most bang for buck on a local basis.

I think were spending around $10,000 a month in all the mags (give or take $2000) we get just enough calls to know people are reading them but not enough to make any money off them short term.
Its all long term, you kinda hope!

Forums, a year ago I worked out a deal with the owner of a mag and his forum, I gave him everything to do his restro with and I was going to get a banner or something on his forum, I have seen nothing from this, that I'm aware of.
 
load up on cheap shirts and send one out with orders. maybe 2-3 bucks a shirt at most. i will always look at a tshirt but i dont remember ever paying any attention to ads. i bought my own iron and transfers to do mine .
 
I'm a sucker for free t-shirts, key chains, etc etc... I have made a few purchases from AVS just to receive them. I should say I ordered them sooner than I would have otherwise. I usually wear them when working on my own stuff, not to shows or anything however.

You made it clear that you don't believe forums to be a profitable venue, and I couldn't tell you what it costs to be a sponsor on one so I really wouldn't know. I have purchased my fuel tank, pumps, and sender from a forum sponsor on pro-touring even though I could have gotten a military discount and ordered direct for the same cost. I also purchased a TKO 600 on behalf of my father from a sponsor, and have plans to purchase a Vintage Air kit and fuel injection over winter from forum sponsors. I can generally find things cheaper or same cost as the forum sponsors, but don't for a couple reasons. If they are sponsoring the forum, they make damn sure that any board members get great service. The other reason is that forums like Pro-touring, lateral-g, and this one have all taught me more than years of experience as a mechanic and dozens of books ever could, so if they are willing to support that quality of forum, I'm ready to support them.

I know not everyone shares my feelings and you have already shown your opinion, but I just thought I'd give you another insight from the "other side". I am always down for free t-shirts though, must be my Dutch heritage!
 
mitch_04;32282 said:
I'm a sucker for free t-shirts, key chains, etc etc... I have made a few purchases from AVS just to receive them. I should say I ordered them sooner than I would have otherwise. I usually wear them when working on my own stuff, not to shows or anything however.

You made it clear that you don't believe forums to be a profitable venue, and I couldn't tell you what it costs to be a sponsor on one so I really wouldn't know. I have purchased my fuel tank, pumps, and sender from a forum sponsor on pro-touring even though I could have gotten a military discount and ordered direct for the same cost. I also purchased a TKO 600 on behalf of my father from a sponsor, and have plans to purchase a Vintage Air kit and fuel injection over winter from forum sponsors. I can generally find things cheaper or same cost as the forum sponsors, but don't for a couple reasons. If they are sponsoring the forum, they make damn sure that any board members get great service. The other reason is that forums like Pro-touring, lateral-g, and this one have all taught me more than years of experience as a mechanic and dozens of books ever could, so if they are willing to support that quality of forum, I'm ready to support them.

I know not everyone shares my feelings and you have already shown your opinion, but I just thought I'd give you another insight from the "other side". I am always down for free t-shirts though, must be my Dutch heritage!
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I'm the same way, I usually check into forum sponsors first as well, but it's different for everybody and i'm sure different for different products.. One of the problems would be,, in order to make it work I think it would be VERY time consuming.

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MX442;32283 said:
I came here through word of mouth and positive reviews on other forums. That advertising was free!
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You also have a point, the referrals from forums are probably better than anything. Better than the advertising for sure.
 
Chad, I haven't bought paint yet, but after seeing your positive influence and skill here, I'll be buying my paint from you. I've been following your builds here and metal meet, and the skill you share with others is also free advertising!
 
mitch_04;32282 said:
I'm a sucker for free t-shirts, key chains, etc etc... I have made a few purchases from AVS just to receive them. I should say I ordered them sooner than I would have otherwise. I usually wear them when working on my own stuff, not to shows or anything however.

You made it clear that you don't believe forums to be a profitable venue, and I couldn't tell you what it costs to be a sponsor on one so I really wouldn't know. I have purchased my fuel tank, pumps, and sender from a forum sponsor on pro-touring even though I could have gotten a military discount and ordered direct for the same cost. I also purchased a TKO 600 on behalf of my father from a sponsor, and have plans to purchase a Vintage Air kit and fuel injection over winter from forum sponsors. I can generally find things cheaper or same cost as the forum sponsors, but don't for a couple reasons. If they are sponsoring the forum, they make damn sure that any board members get great service. The other reason is that forums like Pro-touring, lateral-g, and this one have all taught me more than years of experience as a mechanic and dozens of books ever could, so if they are willing to support that quality of forum, I'm ready to support them.

I know not everyone shares my feelings and you have already shown your opinion, but I just thought I'd give you another insight from the "other side". I am always down for free t-shirts though, must be my Dutch heritage!
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We pretty much have an attitude that we will spend the money and try any type of advertising once and got to tell you deciding how to advertise has to be the hardest decision there is for any business because it is so expensive.
I don't think there are many things we have not tried and I would say the best return is perhaps the major bodyshop magazines, because if you get a shop they will keep on buying, so long term it is good but again, hard to figure the pay back.
 
I don't know if you guys have done this before, and I am not sure how well it would workout, but it is a thought. What about setting up at some of the bigger car shows, with a car painted using the products, and some of the test panels showing results. You could have a big test panel for sanding and buffing of cured clear etc. I may be offering something that has already been covered, but seeing is believing to all of us stubborned shop owners...........The down side is the demostrations may be seen as "another one of those miracle product guys" or the return of investment may not be profittable. Just a random thought.

Kelly
 
Car shows are tough for products. I tend to go to quite a few car shows and more often than not I just walk by..
I think the trade shows that barry has done would be more fitting, they are more meant for people to meet and greet!

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MX442;32285 said:
Chad, I haven't bought paint yet, but after seeing your positive influence and skill here, I'll be buying my paint from you. I've been following your builds here and metal meet, and the skill you share with others is also free advertising!
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Thanks for the feedback!! I never even know if many people follow my projects but I figure if anybody can learn anything from them that is great.. I enjoy posting the work and see what people think of what we are doing.

We have so many different things going on though that it get's confusing with all the threads. I think i'm going to start a "shop" thread that has all of our project updates in one thread.
 
And give us a call any time.. Sometimes the older colors take a little more research so call a little ahead of time just in case.
 
mitch_04;32289 said:
Now I am just curious what forum you tried to sponsor!
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Sorry but not giving this info, the owner did what he said he would do and I did what I said I would do, because it did not work out had nothing to do with him or his forum, so I do not wish to scare other companies away by posting name.
 
mitch_04;32289 said:
Now I am just curious what forum you tried to sponsor!
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Sorry but not giving this info, the owner did what he said he would do and I did what I said I would do, because it did not work out had nothing to do with him or his forum, so I do not wish to scare other companies away by posting name.
 
Ah, I misinterpreted what you wrote. I understood that you gave him product for a banner and when you said "I have seen nothing from this" I thought you meant he never put the banner, not that you have never received business from it.
 
carolinacustoms;32290 said:
I don't know if you guys have done this before, and I am not sure how well it would workout, but it is a thought. What about setting up at some of the bigger car shows, with a car painted using the products, and some of the test panels showing results. You could have a big test panel for sanding and buffing of cured clear etc. I may be offering something that has already been covered, but seeing is believing to all of us stubborned shop owners...........The down side is the demostrations may be seen as "another one of those miracle product guys" or the return of investment may not be profittable. Just a random thought.

Kelly
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I have some expierence with these shows and maybe can give some good advice.
I have had booths with local jobbers before at all kinds of these car show and basically have found from a manufacturers point of view, zero bang for the buck.
Watching the jobber, not so sure he is getting any bang for his dollar either. I can recall one new customer for one jobber with all the shows over the years I have done.
The problem is, 99% of the people at these car shows don't paint and just want to ask a 1000 questions.

For a body shop! Some of these shows if local or something like the GTO nationals can be a gold mine. I have had a booth and did classes at two GTO nationals and really other then enjoying the cars not worth the time BUT both of those times there was a restoration shop with an inside booth and he cleaned up both times with potential customers and this last show I would guess he got at least 7-8 and know this only, because I was close to his booth.

Even for the body shop, I think the "type of show" would be critical, the local drive in of 300-350 car show we have the 3rd week of month, would be a waste of time but good-guys and major chevy or gto type shows could be a money maker for a body shop, from what i see.
 
Perhaps send out a "Painted with SPI Products" sticker or something that could be placed near a car when it is shown. We have a "build board" that we set next to our car as well as a t-shirt from the shop that painted it for us, could raise awareness at a low cost. If nothing else it would be very cool to see a bunch of cars with SPI pride near them. Then again, if it was a poor paint job that could also backfire...
 
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