Clean It Up

UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: kinder clean on August 12, 2009, 05:23:55 pm

Title: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: kinder clean on August 12, 2009, 05:23:55 pm
I've finally got round to stripping the old decals off (no easy task) I'm 'de - greening' the van, I think it puts more people off than
it attracts. ( a comment Simon made when i first had it done ! )

I've decided to keep it simple, a design that leaves no doubt at a glance what I do and I want a tag line, I was thinking something like 'We Leave Your Carpets Clean Soft and Citrus Fresh'

What I do want is a photo on the van, something to grab peoples attention, I have attached the one that's favourite at the moment. (2 versions)

Any input greatly appreciated and photos of your own van for some inspiration.

(My van is a Ford transit connect in white)

Paul
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: John Kelly on August 12, 2009, 06:14:41 pm
Bottom one much more attention grabbing.
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Mike Osbourne on August 12, 2009, 06:27:38 pm
I'd photoshop a carpet in
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Pristine Clean on August 12, 2009, 07:14:47 pm
Paul,

I have a question why does the baby, leave no doubt in peoples minds that you are a CC.

Or have I missed something.

Dave
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on August 12, 2009, 07:23:18 pm
Kids sell, period look at Ricky's site, looks good IMO.

Shaun
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: colin thomas on August 12, 2009, 07:25:49 pm
personally i like to keep it simple, don't 'overwrite' the van but have something to say what you do, i was going to have a 'clean' van with no writing at all and my daughters were horrified, 'you will look like a gippo dad' (sorry any irish), i saw their point and keep it simple,

colin
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on August 12, 2009, 07:36:38 pm
Is that because you are simple Colin? ha ha!

I have a picture of a good looking young man on both sides of my van but he does look poor!

Shaun
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 12, 2009, 07:43:48 pm
Your van is a moving advertising hoarding and if done right can create the right impression and generate work while you're driving around.
I don't think pictures of children quiet does it. Who you are, what you do, and how to contact you is all you need and if you can make it look great with logos etc it's money well spent.

Simon
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on August 12, 2009, 08:27:34 pm
Have to agree with Simon.

I don't understand the current fascination with pictures of babies and carpet cleaning.

And as we all know, the fact that we think it looks good is no indication of what the client thinks.

My van leaves no-one under any illusion about who I am and what I do and how to contact me.


Steve
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 12, 2009, 08:39:21 pm
no pickies for me, just the usual bollox but with a bit of flare, (well i think so anyhoo).
90% of my custies ask if i'm a franchise, not sure thats a good thing though.
derek
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on August 12, 2009, 08:47:18 pm
Only pictures I've got at the moment - the rest are on my Blackberry and I can't work out how to upload them  >:(

Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 12, 2009, 09:00:01 pm
Not posing or anything....... ::)
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Fintan_Coll on August 12, 2009, 10:30:13 pm
Fine looking yacht you've got there too, Simon.
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 12, 2009, 10:39:29 pm
Yeah, well we like to arrive in style. Trouble is, we couldn't get it docked at Wigan Pier ;D
Simon
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on August 12, 2009, 10:42:33 pm
Image asking your customer if they minded you using their drive so you can park on it.

Shaun
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: kinder clean on August 13, 2009, 05:32:28 pm
The idea with this kind of picture is that it grabs attention, makes people look twice and entices them to read your info.

The reason I thought this particular photo worked well was because its not just a little kid, they are also covered in food so theirs a connection, you can assume  they also got crap all over the carpet, or maybe I've just spent way to much time on this.  ;D

What its aiming to do is give that " Ooh whats that all about, what does he do? " so are more likely to read your details.

I went off the idea of a logo after what was pointed out after one of my previous posts, they are only really any use to large corporate types.

Just look on the roads, at the stream of vans from all types of trade, they all look identical, white van, non descript logo, company name and details, the ones that really annoy me are the ones where after reading all the info on the van your still non the wiser what the hell they do for a living !  ??? I feel like ringing them up and telling them the error of their ways - " yeah mate, I tell you where your going wrong you need a picture of a baby on there !  ;D

Paul





Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 13, 2009, 05:47:15 pm
I think people look at vans because the really well thought ones are striking to look at and perhaps more importantly look professional. A picture of a kid just doesn't do it. The picture surely has to show what you do. A picture of a before and after would be more effective than some snotty nosed kid that no one has even the faintest connection to. If you're going to use a picture, why not one that shows people what they are going to get from you and thereby let the picture do the talking.

Simon
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: carpetfitta on August 13, 2009, 07:08:31 pm
its a good pic if you photoshop the kiddy catcher from chitty chitty bang bang in the background, and thats ur job... ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: suffolkclean on August 13, 2009, 07:32:15 pm
Paul great pictures but I had exactly the same idea a few months back. Thought it looked cute took mock up to the sign writters & they said ' whats a baby got to do with carpet cleaning' ? They said they would no way think from that picture we do carpet cleaning, so it put me off. You need a picture to clearly show what you do
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: suffolkclean on August 13, 2009, 07:33:40 pm
Back!
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: GWCS on August 13, 2009, 09:00:00 pm
Get a picture like this on your van

(http://www.honestcarpetcare.co.uk/images/shaun.jpg)

Show a dirty carpet and then where the wand is its nice and clean.

Show a sofa.. yada yada..

And the best bit - you have YOUR picture on there showing you doing the job.
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: peter maybury on August 13, 2009, 09:00:40 pm
I really could not afford to be without the business that  my van brings in. People will not read the literature that you give them but whilst the van is outside their house they cannot fail to see the other range of services we offer.
I would go to a reputable sign writer and ask their advice, go  to a few and see who is talking sense.
Or you could go to uni to do a  graphic design degree, get marketing awareness training and the decide yourself how to sign write your van.
If you want to keep it simple you still need to make it clear what you do and where people can get more info.

Peter
www.queensland-uk.com (http://www.queensland-uk.com)
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Ricky M on August 13, 2009, 09:14:47 pm
I tend to agree with not using babys, pets etc on a van but they seem to work well on sites or so new clients seem to comment on mine .

 didn know Shaun did Vulcan impressions  ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: GWCS on August 13, 2009, 09:18:28 pm
I tend to agree with not using babys, pets etc on a van but they seem to work well on sites or so new clients seem to comment on mine .

GWCS , hows the old looking bloke trying to be a Vulcan ?

Dont be so rude to Shaun like that..  ;D

I was using Shauns pic as an example. Being personable to your prospective customers is the key! They already know what you look like and your name and what you do, just from 1 image.

You pull up outside their house, and it will re affirm them once they open the door to the same person on the van.
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 13, 2009, 09:20:32 pm
Suffolk Clean,

I like that van, excellent.

Simon
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Ricky M on August 13, 2009, 09:21:34 pm
GWCS , theres not a cat in hells chance I would show myself b4 they met or I would sitting at home all day  ;D ;D ;D
craping in me own wash basket
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 13, 2009, 09:22:53 pm
The picture of Shaun proves what can happen when you've been around cleaning solutions for too long! You start thinking everyone's say Hi to you ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: GWCS on August 13, 2009, 09:28:36 pm
GWCS , theres not a cat in hells chance I would show myself b4 they met or I would sitting at home all day  ;D ;D ;D
craping in me own wash basket

Its a shame you think so highly of yourself..

Some people use this picture on their flyers..

(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:0o6UojJ27iGbeM:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01384/window_cleaner_1384817c.jpg)

When the window cleaner turns up they are disappointed as they are expecting that guy to show up.

Why cos its personable, shows who you are, and what you do.. in just one picture.
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Ricky M on August 13, 2009, 09:41:25 pm
GWCS , might put some pics of the Mrs on my van
cause she spends most of the money
 ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: daysdeepclean on August 13, 2009, 09:51:29 pm
I've still yet to see a better signed van Susan Dean's van..... It has a baby on it ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Ricky M on August 13, 2009, 09:57:14 pm
 
I've still yet to see a better signed van Susan Dean's van..... It has a baby on it ::) ::) ::)

In your opinion Mr Happy Day  ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 13, 2009, 09:59:52 pm
i'm with colin, top van is susans.
derek
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: daysdeepclean on August 13, 2009, 10:03:51 pm
I've still yet to see a better signed van Susan Dean's van..... It has a baby on it ::) ::) ::)

In your opinion Mr Happy Day  ::) ::) ::)

That's assuming I'm entitled to one ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus) on August 13, 2009, 10:07:34 pm
Colin

How you getting on with your red devil ?




Steve
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: mark_roberts on August 13, 2009, 10:08:45 pm
The baby pic needs to tell a story so youd need a headline to put the point across.  On its own there is no point being made.

Logo are the same.

Simon whats that pic of a red man on your van.  Says nothing about carpet cleaning to me.

Interestingly my van isnt sign written at the minute as I just got it but it still attracts attention with the TM.  Problem is people think Im either delivering oil or cleaning drains.

Mark
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on August 13, 2009, 10:11:08 pm
Since I've had me on the van I've bever had so many jobs and enquiries from my signage it's a fantastic talking point, yes I'm bound to say that but I had living proof it would work as my mate Mike Halliday did the same years before I did it. Customers see me on the side of the van and see it as a confidance builder they know who they are getting in one word 'trust'

Shaun
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Simon Gerrard on August 13, 2009, 10:16:48 pm
Mark,
It's a logo. It isn't meant to say what we do, it's the who we are bit.
If your van isn't sign written you're doing yourself out of business. I've lost count of how many people say we saw your van and rung you. They also think the van looks very professional, which in my opinion it does. Only the other day someone said, 'gosh, your van looks impressive,' and that's mission accomplished as far as I am concerned.

Simon
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on August 13, 2009, 10:25:24 pm
I get asked alot if I belong to a franchise as I come to the job uniformed (had this discussion before) and also a nicely sign written van sets there minds thinking.

Shaun
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Ricky M on August 13, 2009, 10:26:07 pm
I've still yet to see a better signed van Susan Dean's van..... It has a baby on it ::) ::) ::)

In your opinion Mr Happy Day  ::) ::) ::)

That's assuming I'm entitled to one ;D

Of course old boy  ;)
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 13, 2009, 10:27:34 pm
shaun
the wavey one handed wanding picky?

lets have a look. ;D

come on, ya know ya want to.

derek

ps... simon

"gosh"?
in wigan?

don't ya meen, "eeee bye eck lad, thatsa gudden, bet that cost ya a fair few pie n peas"

or are you not that far north ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Ricky M on August 13, 2009, 10:29:12 pm
Derek Shauns pics is at the top of page 2
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 13, 2009, 10:32:10 pm
Derek Shauns pics is at the top of page 2

i meant the whole van.

derek
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: daysdeepclean on August 13, 2009, 10:49:16 pm
Colin

How you getting on with your red devil ?




Steve

Bloody brilliant Steve, I'm still getting used to it and polishing it nearly every day ;D Certainly a massive improvement!
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: suffolkclean on August 14, 2009, 06:54:47 am
Simon - Thanks We're pleased with it  ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 14, 2009, 07:23:50 am
barbara ???

somethin not quite right?

derek
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: suffolkclean on August 14, 2009, 09:46:00 am
Derek - sorry - wots not right ?
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: JandS on August 14, 2009, 10:13:47 am
You don´t want it too flash otherwise people spend too much time admiring your artwork and by the time they have driven past they have missed your phone number.
Name of firm - what you do - website and phone numbers - and maybe a picture of say a carpet part cleaned.
All the rest is irrelevant and detracts from the main theme.

John
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: JandS on August 14, 2009, 10:20:31 am
Reckon Derek´s got it just about right no bollox just straight to the point.
Notice you have fast drying times in red Derek, I find in my paper adverts that that is the single best selling point.
I have FAST DRYING TIMES highlighted in red and nearly everyone asks about it.

John
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 14, 2009, 10:39:44 am
cheers john

barbara, i'm probably just looking into things too much, but your van livery (allthough very nice) seems to be photo shopped and not real. am i haluscinting, ahem, holusinting ahem, am i seeing things or is.....

1) the hand at the front of the van seems to be extending past the wheel arch
2) the bottles at the rear side seem to extend onto the plastic bumper
3) the picture on the back has the word "stock photo" written in reverse

i really must start drinking again ;D

derek
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 14, 2009, 11:14:15 am
in fact barbara my dear, i think that is a plain white van, the only colour being the sill which really is blue.

am i right or am i right ;D

they don't call me dec-tective derek for nothing ya know ;D

anyway, looks good so i'd go for it and have it done. ;)

dec-tective derek
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: Phillip Mold on August 14, 2009, 12:51:03 pm
I like to keep my van nice and simple, always gets attention!
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: GWCS on August 14, 2009, 04:51:41 pm
in fact barbara my dear, i think that is a plain white van, the only colour being the sill which really is blue.

am i right or am i right ;D

they don't call me dec-tective derek for nothing ya know ;D

anyway, looks good so i'd go for it and have it done. ;)

dec-tective derek

very astute Derick, that must be the proof picture before they go ahead with it.

Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: kinder clean on August 14, 2009, 06:33:32 pm
Mike I agree about photoshoping a carpet in to the picture. ( Any offers ? )

Mark (Ireland) it would work better with a caption, for example - ' Little accidents will happen - next time remember to take the pill '  ;D or something like that.

Clinton, Have they sent you any ideas through yet? can I take a peek.

I've Been looking CC van pics and found a couple of gems:  ;D Bad name choices ! Bit of a contradiction the first and 'Hide the kids Bubbas on his way !'

Paul
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: clinton on August 14, 2009, 07:11:01 pm
Paul

Am getting a brand new dispatch van so getting it signed in some really nice colours and a character on the side of the van and it will stand out and be seen ;D

Will show you some of it next week when he  gets the artwork done :)
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: clinton on August 14, 2009, 07:16:30 pm
Hey like the bubba designs might use that ;D ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: suffolkclean on August 14, 2009, 07:20:04 pm
Well done Derek & GWCS ! Yes this was the final laser produced by the designer before we went ahead - it dosn't actually have the blue solid colour along the bottom it has out website address as the vinyl wouldn't stick to that panel as it was not a flat surface/bumpy

Derek - Holmes !! 8)
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: clinton on August 14, 2009, 07:25:14 pm
Better than john holmes ;D ;D ;)

Thats why hes called big westy ;D oops mean big wad westy ;D
Title: Re: Show us your van pics and what do you think of this ?
Post by: derek west on August 14, 2009, 08:01:36 pm


Derek - Holmes !! 8)

;D


derek holmes