Finding new clients for your detailing business is an ongoing process. Having business cards and flyers is the first thing you’ll want to have on hand when you’re starting out. Asking your friends to give them to people they know with high-end cars will start the word out.

Most cities have business networking groups that meet once a week. These groups will have one person from any given industry allowed in the group. Find one with no membership fees or as low as possible. You will most likely want to find one that does a breakfast meeting instead of a lunch meeting so as not to interfere with your schedule. These other industry professionals will most likely give your service a try, and if they’re happy with you, they’ll enjoy sending you lots of referrals. This method is capable of building a list of successful real estate agents, attorneys, and other industry leaders who need your service.

Golf and country clubs may allow you to come on weekends and offer their service to their members. Many times you won’t have to share any of the money you earn, as they are simply happy to offer a service to keep members happy.

Professional office complexes are great for finding high-end cars that you’d like to have as clients. Walk through the parking lot and place a business card on the driver’s side window, between the weather stripping and the glass. Even if the car is clean, they may call you the next time it’s dirty.

You can go to these offices if you are clean and not sweaty in order to talk to the receptionist and ask if you can drop off a flyer explaining the services they offer. They may have to get approval from an office manager first, but they may want you to come in on a certain day of the week and provide multiple cars for you to detail at once. You want to build as many cars as you can in one place to limit the time you spend on the road between jobs.

Just being out and working will make people stop and want to inquire about your service. Always have some cards ready to hand out and ask them for a phone number where you can reach them when you’re not working. You want to let them know that as their customer, their car will also get priority service and that you can’t lose focus on the car you’re making right now. This way, you won’t have long conversations while the soap dries and make it difficult for you to work after they’re gone.