Sign written van, by far the best.
Secvond hand Berlingo, 50,000 miles, perfect condition. £2200. Vinyl lettering, and make it eye-catching, £150.
Total cost of advert, £2350: that's less than a year in Yellow Pages. And you can't drive a phone book. And the van lasts more than a year. And a van is a lot bigger than even a full page advert.
Keep the van sparkling clean, wash and properly wax polish every week. That takes an hour. Always park it in visible areas, don't hide it up someone's drive, leave it on the road and carry the equipment up the drive. Always, always, when you park, leave a few flyers under the wipers. They'll be gone when you get back.
Don't forget to sign-write the back doors, that way any driver behind you reads your advert for ages. (And don't "flick the V" out of a sign written van!)
Keeping the van pristine says that you are concerned about cleanliness.
If you are not working, don't leave the van on the drive at home. Park on the high street, outside the likes of Debenhams. Park at the supermarket, in the most visible end slot near the doors.
I regularly have my lunch in the cafe at my local Tesco, leaving the van in a prominent position with flyers under the wipers. In the hour I spend with a magazine and a coffee, 50% of the time my mobile will ring "just saw your van........."
After all, open Yellow Pages and there's loads of carpet cleaners. Go to Tesco, and there isn't.
But maybe, after reading this, the Tesco cafe will be full of carpet cleaners next week! If so, get together lads, and work out a rota!!!!
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