Parking Lot Card Dropping

[SThompson86]

Hello, me and a friend of mine are planning on this weekend distributing business cards onto cars this weekend by means of placing them under the windshield wipe or the front door window seal.

I am just wondering if any you have any tips for doing this? this will be our first time and doing this type of marketing.

I am not really worried about people getting mad, for this is a common thing that happens any given weekend at walmarts at the malls in our area. The only thing I am concerned about is the placement of the cards. As mentioned I am going to either leave them under windshield wiper or under the front door window seal. I rather do the seal because the driver has to see it when they open their door, but I would hate for some one to call and be like yeaaa your card slipped down into the inside of my door when I rolled the window down. I know thats kinda far fetched, but people are crazy..

But yea, just looking for any advice from people who have done this.

and also if anybody is wondering why we did business cards is because they were financially more feasible and we figure people will hang onto a business card vs a flier of post card hand out.

Thanks in advanced.

 

[JimboK]

but I would hate for some one to call and be like yeaaa your card slipped down into the inside of my door when I rolled the window down. I know thats kinda far fetched, but people are crazy.

I guess they got it out if they called you.

Never done this type of marketing but I guess the response rate is similar to leafleting houses. Not very high.

 

[Graystar]

Most Mercedes have very tight windows seals and not easy to get a card into.
I always make one attempt to slide one in, if it doesn't go then I pass as the last thing I want is some woman freaking out and calling the cops cause I stood at her car door for 10 seconds trying to place an advertisement on it.
keep it moving and fluid and most people will not notice.
I have gone back to these parking lots after it has cleared and it amazes me how many people just throw the cards on the ground. I at least keep them long enough to put inside my trash bag.
I don't care for litterbugs.

 

[SThompson86]

Yea, this is just another form of marketing we are wanting to try. We are just taking another stab at another forum of marketing.

Things I have tried:

Newspaper add: Too expensive per week 0 turn over.

Craigslist: Nothing but people wanting a virus removed for minimum wage.

Website: This area we live in does not seem to be a lets look on Google kind of area. The local brick and mortar computer shops here do not even have web sites.

Google Adwords: This kinda goes along with the Website statement about this area. (who clicks sponsored links anyways...) I was bummed out when I realized thats what ad words are because I never pay attention to those sponsored links much less click them.

Radio Add: My grand dad does a radio show every friday on a local FM radio station here, and he gives me some plugs every week which = 0 turn over.

Word of Mouth: of course this has always worked, but my client base is too low to really wait on word of mouth turn over.



So yea, this is another stab at marketing we are going to try.

 

[SThompson86]

@ GrayStar - Did you have any luck with card dropping? I have been reading alot about this marketing tactic on other forums I found on a Google Search. I am starting to second guess doing this, for from what I have been reading it brings down the business, and I believe that because I know when it comes to geting crap put on my car I pretty much put about as much concern into it as I do a popup.

But nonetheless, this "core computer solutions" is just a summer experiment over my summer break from school. If it takes off it takes off if it doesn't it doesn't, this is not my career. I am just trying to see what I can do without spending a small fortune to get customers.

 

[Hercomputers]

I would love to do this in the parking lot of Best Buy- There's one down the street (about 5 miles) from my house off the local highway, h-m-m-m, it's a tempting thought....lol

 

[SThompson86]

In an effort to try and do the right thing and avoid any fines. I called one of the cities I planned on card dropping in, and they let me know quick that it was an illegal action.

That only leaves my current city, which I am sure is illegal also.

 

[TheTechWizards]

On my Scion xB I put magnet business cards in very obvious areas, I'm always surprised how many people take.

 

[edgepcs]

On my Scion xB I put magnet business cards in very obvious areas, I'm always surprised how many people take.

Great idea! I have a friend who owns a sign shop and will see if i can pinch some of his scrap magnets

 

[Deleted member 13571]

Card dropping and leaflet-placing is a VERY annoying practice.

I immediately write off anyone that does it to my vehicle. I wouldn't recommend using this marketing technique. It suggests to me that you don't have the ability to advertise through conventional (see: non-free) means.

 

[Vicenarian]

Or how about getting out your laptop...driving down the block and pinpointing unsecured wireless networks. Then, going to the suspected houses, and explaining to them their situation, what consequences an unsecured network can have, and if they would like you to fix it for X amount of dollars?

 

[Deleted member 13571]

Or how about getting out your laptop...driving down the block and pinpointing unsecured wireless networks. Then, going to the suspected houses, and explaining to them their situation, what consequences an unsecured network can have, and if they would like you to fix it for X amount of dollars?

For the record, I'd also probably punch anyone that did this in the face as well. Sounds too close to extortion to be helpful. Most people, I am assuming, would be offended or frightened by this tactic.

 

[Hercomputers]

I think by the smiley face added to the end of Vicenrian's comment, I'm pretty sure he was only kidding.

 

[Vicenarian]

I think by the smiley face added to the end of Vicenrian's comment, I'm pretty sure he was only kidding.

Actually, I wasn't
I wouldn't do it personally though lol

But hey, I mean seriously...it's way cheaper than Geek Squad doing it...And it sure beats identity theft/somebody sucking up their bandwidth...not to mention the possibility of getting arrested for people using your internet for illegal activities.

 

[Puff]

Personally, I wouldn't do it because it makes you look cheap and it's annoying. Everyday when I go home there are fliers and business cards on my front door and it pisses me off having to pick up someones cheap advertisement. I didn't buy a house or a car so cheap stooges could use it as a bulletin board to peddle their services.

 

[SThompson86]

Card dropping and leaflet-placing is a VERY annoying practice.

I immediately write off anyone that does it to my vehicle. I wouldn't recommend using this marketing technique. It suggests to me that you don't have the ability to advertise through conventional (see: non-free) means.

Yea I called around checking ordinances today and its not allowed in the cities I was planning on hitting up.

 

[SThompson86]

I called my city, and it seemed more like an un written law to solicit in that form. I probably would not get introuble in my city.. but I honestly do not feel like taking a chance especially when CCS is just a project and not my bread maker.

 

[Hercomputers]

Actually, I wasn't
I wouldn't do it personally though lol

But hey, I mean seriously...it's way cheaper than Geek Squad doing it...And it sure beats identity theft/somebody sucking up their bandwidth...not to mention the possibility of getting arrested for people using your internet for illegal activities.

LOL!!! Why in the world would you think of doing something like that?

Seriously though, going to someone's house like that, presenting yourself with your laptop and everything would make one of those neighbors call the police on you and guess who would get arrested?. Not a smart way to try and get new customers.

Uh, think of another way to reach those people, ok?-

LOL

 

[Vicenarian]

LOL!!! Why in the world would you think of doing something like that?

Seriously though, going to someone's house like that, presenting yourself with your laptop and everything would make one of those neighbors call the police on you and guess who would get arrested?. Not a smart way to try and get new customers.

Uh, think of another way to reach those people, ok?-

LOL

or login to their network, and send them a message via the windows messaging service like...


"Your wireless network is unsecured! Potential Identity Theft! Call ###-#### today!"

 

[Hercomputers]

LOL...ok, I think I may have to add to my friend list--