Introduction
Automotive repair and service shops have been around for decades. This means that they’ve had plenty of time to figure out what works—and what doesn’t work—when it comes to marketing their business. The same goes for auto manufacturers and dealerships. They may not know everything there is to know about marketing, but they certainly have a good idea of how to do it right when it comes to reaching customers through traditional advertising channels like print ads, radio commercials, TV spots, and more (more on those later). What about independent auto repair shops? How do they compete with these big players? Well, first of all, you shouldn’t think about them as competition but rather as an opportunity because yes there are many other options out there but none offer something like this blog post does which is a full guide from start to finish on how you can start your own successful auto shop!
A blog about advertising for auto shops. Helping consumers navigate the repair process.
A blog about advertising for auto shops
A blog is a great way to connect with consumers and position yourself as an expert in your field. Additionally, providing this type of community service is also a great way to drive word-of-mouth business from local customers.
What is the best way to advertise for independent auto shops?
The best way to advertise for independent auto shops is by using a mix of all of the above! Let’s take a look at each one in more detail:
- Local Advertising – In addition to the benefits of being able to reach people who are geographically close, local advertising also allows you to create an image of your business as part of the community.
- Social Media – Social media is an excellent way for businesses to build relationships with their customers and potential customers. With Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram there are so many different ways that you can engage with your audience on social media platforms.
- Print Advertising – Using print ads in magazines or newspapers has long been one of the most efficient ways for small businesses with limited budgets to get their message across. However, in recent years it has become much harder due to the rise of digital media consumption where people tend not to read newspapers anymore (or maybe just don’t have enough time). There are still some magazines that continue serving their core audience however if something isn’t printed on paper anymore it doesn’t really exist as far as many consumers are concerned which makes this form less useful than ever before!
Consumers have more choices than ever before. So for independent auto repair shops, it’s crucial to get in front of the right people at the right time with the right message. Below are some ideas to help your marketing efforts go further.
Consumers have more choices than ever before. So for independent auto repair shops, it’s crucial to get in front of the right people at the right time with the right message. Below are some ideas to help your marketing efforts go further:
- Understand what your customers want
As consumers become more informed about their options, they’re also becoming more demanding—and skeptical—of businesses that don’t deliver on promises or simply aren’t transparent about their services and pricing models. To win over new customers, you need to understand exactly what they’re looking for from an auto shop so you can provide it in a way that meets their expectations…and exceeds them!
Offer a car maintenance workshop
Offer a car maintenance workshop.
- Provide tips on how to maintain your vehicle.
- Give away freebies.
- Provide a discount on future services.
- Provide a certificate of completion, if appropriate (e.g., “No charge for next oil change.”).
If you want to build trust and brand loyalty, why not offer a car maintenance workshop? This is a great way to connect with consumers and position yourself as an expert in your field. Providing this type of community service is also a great way to drive word-of-mouth business from local customers. (Get any idea what kind of tips we might have to make this happen?)
If you want to build trust and brand loyalty, why not offer a car maintenance workshop? This is a great way to connect with consumers and position yourself as an expert in your field. Providing this type of community service is also a great way to drive word-of-mouth business from local customers. (Get any idea what kind of tips we might have to make this happen?)
In addition to offering these workshops, make sure that you include them in your marketing plan. You’ll be able to tell people about what you’ve done for others and how it’s helped them out. So, the next time someone comes into your shop looking for advice or help on their vehicle—and they might just be able to trust that you’re going to give them some good advice because they’ve heard it before!
Host an event for other local businesses
Hosting an event for other local businesses is a great way to build goodwill, get your name out there, and establish yourself as an industry expert that other businesses can trust.
When you host an event for other local businesses, you are essentially showing the community that you care about their well-being. Not only will they see this as a kind gesture, but also recognize that hosting events is something you do regularly—not just when it’s convenient or profitable. This means that when they need help with anything automotive-related in the future, they’ll think of you first!
Another great way to develop community-based goodwill is by hosting an event for other local businesses. For example, maybe you can host a networking event or happy hour where local business owners can network in a relaxed environment while getting the information they need to maintain their vehicle fleets. Hosting events like these will help you get noticed and build your reputation within the local business community as an industry expert they can trust.
Sponsor a high school team or event
- Sponsor a high school team or event.
- Create an auto repair toolkit for students. This can include both branded items such as t-shirts, hats, and other promotional materials, but also items that are useful in the classroom (such as flash drives with repair guides on them).
Conclusion
So, what kind of marketing ideas do you have? We’d love to hear them! Let us know in the comments below and we’ll update this post with your ideas.