• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

How to Expand Your Customer Base

May 19, 2011 By Nadeem Muaddi

Harry Weimann, auto trim shop owner and Director of Education at WyoTech, published a great article in Hotrod & Restoration today titled “How to Expand Your Customer Base With New Products & Services.” In it, he offers some solid advice on how to offer more services and grow your customer base, without overextending yourself or putting off regular customers.

Weimann explains: “In the business world, you have to constantly look at making changes to your business to keep it fresh and up-to-date, and bring in new products and services so that you’re not falling behind and becoming old and outdated.” After thorough research, Weimann decided to expand his upholstery business by adding auto accessories and appearance items to the mix.

I decided that the first order of business would be to look at the costs associated with adding additional services and determine if those costs might exceed my potential profits. I started by talking to my dealership base to learn what their customers were asking for.

After spending quite a bit of time talking to my dealerships, and researching their customers’ needs, I started to compile a list of possible accessories. I categorized the accessory possibilities into the automotive and light truck markets.

The next thing I needed to research was the cost of these accessories, what I would need to keep in inventory and if the cost of maintaining this inventory was feasible. It’s best to look at the accessories that you have decided to install and keep the fast-moving, high-profit items in stock and special order those items that aren’t used as often.

One very important aspect of adding additional services is to determine if your employees are capable of installing these accessories or if it’s necessary to add additional staff. Another consideration is whether additional training and equipment are necessary to install new accessories.

One thing I have found is that many accessories can be installed by adding very little additional equipment, which keeps costs to a minimum. In some instances, such as installing automotive electronics, additional training is required and hiring a qualified technician might be needed. [more]

Still, it’s important to note that expanding your list of products and services won’t bring success unless you combine it with a strong marketing campaign. After all, if no one knows what you do, no one will come. While Weimann touches on promotional tools like websites, ads and mailers, he states: “I’ve learned that the best and most cost-effective marketing tools you have in the tool bag are quality work and great customer service. It’s important to remember that word of mouth is the best advertising tool you have.” Amen.

Filed Under: Archive, Better Business Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Hotrod & Restoration Magazine

Primary Sidebar

anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

THR Sponsors

NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation - Right Rail Ad 3
  • Keyston Bros
  • Hyde Leather
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • OEM+ Banner Ad - The Hog Ring
  • Big Z Fabric
  • Leather Craft
  • Albright's Supply

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - Watch Alchemy Kustom Upholster a Bench Seat

Watch Alchemy Kustom Upholster a Seat

In his last video, Rick Valdez of Alchemy … [more] about Watch Alchemy Kustom Upholster a Seat

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Motorcycle Seat - Design Studio

Design Studio: Two-Up Motorcycle Seat

Designing and upholstering custom motorcycle … [more] about Design Studio: Two-Up Motorcycle Seat

The Hog Ring - How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

This is How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

Want to learn how to upholster a steering … [more] about This is How to Upholster a Steering Wheel

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Vinyl Top Bubble

Botched Jobs Give Trimmers a Bad Name

Customers come to me all the time inquiring … [more] about Botched Jobs Give Trimmers a Bad Name

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Gottfried Upholstery - Dragon Scale Pleats

Gottfried’s 3D Dragon Scale Pleats

Since Vilner introduced dragon scale pleats … [more] about Gottfried’s 3D Dragon Scale Pleats

The Hog Ring - Meet Stephen Kurzman of The Custom Stitching Co

Meet Stephen Kurzman of The Custom Stitching Co.

Formal training at one of the country’s few … [more] about Meet Stephen Kurzman of The Custom Stitching Co.

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • The Viral Headrest Gun Safe Is Going Nationwide with Tint World
  • TMG and Haartz to Open North Carolina Plant, Creating 125 New Jobs
  • Everything We Covered in June 2025
  • How OEM+ Auto Tops is Redefining Convertible Top Manufacturing with In-House Mold Production
  • From Factory Match to Full Custom: LEATHER CRAFT Has It Covered

Recent Comments

  • Edward Munday on Hidden Mouse Nest? How to Charge for the Extra Dirty Work
  • Jack on Keyston Bros. Acquires DLT Corporation
  • Brodie Smith on Aston Martin Just Introduced a New Convertible DB12
  • THE CAPTAIN on 6 Tips for Turning Callers into Customers
  • Dmei on Star Wars Seat Covers are ‘So Wizard’

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.

Copyright © 2025 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in