Successful canvassing for work?

[Greenbuggy]

Lately work at the shop I work at (mechanic) has been getting slow so getting time off would be real easy. I'm trying to drum up some more sandblasting work by advertising via CL but not getting too many results. I was thinking about taking a day off work and hitting up some of the local tractor, body and mechanical shops and introducing myself and handing out a couple of my cards to try and pick up more work. Other than the obvious (dress well, be polite, etc) any other good suggestions for how to go about this?

[midmosandblasting]

With some results I have been using post cards as a intro .About 1-2 weeks later I go by and do a intro. A little better than cold calling .Out of 100 cards may get 3-5 jobs.When we closed the shop we lost phone ,and book ads.Starting all over.What are you doing ? One thing that had gotten pretty good around here is exposed aggregate concrete so don't forget contractors .Any fab shops ,wrought iron workers those have been good.The tractor resto boys are good to ,most have more money than the car resto boys.Heavy equipment shops and sales places ,sometimes you will have to paint them or have a sub to paint.Without a shop the manufacturing boys will be hard to get.Any equipment manufacturers around .I have one that I am trying to get away from someone else but they pay late .
Stay away from racers as they are usually broke.

[USMCPOP]

Don't nag people at the busiest times of the day.

Maybe drop by in the early a.m. with some donuts and your card.

Be nice to the "little people" in reception/front office/counter.

[yorkiepap]

Hey Greenbuggy,
I've had good success with new customers by leaving cards at the local grocery stores & restaurants, and ran some listings on the Craigslist, and a site here in the Pgh. area called Kijiji.com. Also, any manufacturing companies in your area are a good source for recommendations. I had good luck last year placing a listing on a restaurant place mat from a local printer. Good luck.... Denny

[LW Hiway]

Other than the obvious (dress well, be polite, etc) any other good suggestions for how to go about this?

Good advice from the others already, but I will add; know what you want to say before you get there and above all, know what your going to say if he says, lets take a walk in the back and look at what I need done. It's the surprises that usually give the most problems on a new account. For you and him.

Good luck G'Buggy.
LW

[Paychk]

Originally Posted by Greenbuggy

Other than the obvious (dress well, be polite, etc) any other good suggestions for how to go about this?

Have work clothes/equipment on hand for the impromptu job that may pop up.