One thing that most mechanics and auto shops have in abundance is metal. That's why having magnetic business cards make perfect sense! These magnetic business cards can be plastered on various areas at your shop to help promote your company.

But wait, why put extra effort promoting your company to customers who are already in your shop? That likely won't help you grow your business, right?

That's why you need to take this guerilla-marketing tactic outside the confines of your shop. Here's what we mean:

Turn your shop vehicle into a rolling billboard

Billboards are an effective way for companies to market their business, because thousands upon thousands of cars (and eyes) pass by their ad every day.

But why pay someone else to put your company's branding on a board, when you have the best board of all - your company car?

Your shop's vehicle (or entire fleet) should be completely wrapped, if possible, with your coloring branding and pertinent information, including:

• Location of your business
• Web address
• Phone number
• A catchy slogan/tagline if possible

The goal with any marketing tactic (but particularly one that includes a moving car) is to make it easy for people to get the information they need to find you. As such, keep in mind the following:

• Don't use small lettering
• Avoid cursive
• Make sure there's good contrast between the color of your car (or wrapping) and the information so that it's easy to read
• Keep sentences to a minimum (use short, easy to read content)

Even if your car isn't fully wrapped, you can at least add vinyl lettering with your pertinent information.

Now, time to add the magic touch. Your magnetic business cards

While a fully wrapped company car (or one that features vinyl lettering) will help your marketing efforts, what you're missing is the takeaway. Customers love a takeaway. Don't believe us? Just look at how they respond when you offer them a free pen (with your company information on it).

What we recommend you do is affix magnetic business cards to all four corners of your car. When your car is parked (either at your lot or as you drive around), people can grab those cards to take with them.

Want to get extra creative? As part of your vinyl wrapping, add arrows that point right to each business card placement. Under (or above) the arrow, write the word FREE.

This will bring attention to the business cards and will also attract eyes to your car, because everyone loves to see the word FREE.

What to keep in mind about your rolling billboard

Your company car is a representation of your company. Seeing that you're in the business of making sure cars are in tip-top shape, make sure that your company car is in pristine condition. That doesn't just mean under the hood, but also visibly. Make sure the car always looks as though it was just washed, and inspect it regularly for dings and scratches.

If your car looks flawless, then people passing by will begin to associate the name of your company with that flawlessness.

That, alone, is quite a solid word-of-mouth foundation to stand on.