If you’re an auto repair business owner, you should know that the holidays is the perfect time to launch a marketing campaign online. And it’s not just because most people are online doing their Christmas shopping, it’s also when most car owners look for an auto repair shop to winterize their vehicles.
What does it mean when one winterizes their cars? Well, it just basically means that car owners have their vehicles serviced to prepare for the cold and harsh weather of wintertime.
That said, the main goal of launching an online marketing campaign is to get people to notice you, choose to do business with you, and ultimately fill up your cash register during the holidays.
How To Promote Your Auto Repair Shop During Christmas
Marketing for an auto repair shop is not an easy task. With so many competitors in the niche, promoting your business successfully would require ingenuity, determination, and some luck. Yes, it’s going to be a long and tough road to take, but if all goes well, you could be looking at one of the most profitable years for your business.
To help you out with your marketing journey, here are some easy tips that you can follow:
1. Be Socially Active
We all know how ruthless the weather can get during wintertime. And people know this, including car owners. Thus, most of them would probably get their cars serviced to prepare them for the harsh conditions ahead.
To “winterize” cars, most owners will need to change fluids and tires, wax the body to protect the paint, replace the wiper blades, de-ice exterior glass, check the HVAC system, check the electricals and the battery, and a whole lot more. You can use all these helpful information to get car owners to notice you on various social media platforms. You’re not only providing them with some help, but you’re also making your business known as a trusted source of information when it comes to car care.
Furthermore, posting some winter car-care tips on socials entices people to visit your website, which would be great for lead generation.
2. Update Your Website
Updating your website every season is a good idea, especially during major holidays like Christmas. It’s not just for aesthetic purposes (although a Christmas-themed website will definitely give off that cheerful holiday spirit) but also to show your visitors the new Christmas deals and discounts you may have.
Speaking of discounts…
3. Offer Holiday Discounts
Loyal customers of auto repair shops should be given priority for this. It is often more expensive to get new customers than to keep the ones you already have. If you want to reach out to your star customers, it’s best to do this during the holiday season. The gesture could even get them to refer your shop to friends and relatives, which can increase holiday sales.
Furthermore, offering holiday discounts offers a chance for your loyal customers to get their hands on something they’ve always wanted to have in their cars. It is an excellent way of showing appreciation for the business they brought while enticing them to return if they ever need your services in the future.
4. Offer Gift Certificates
Offering gift certificates to your customers will also work the same way as providing discounts. No car owner would refuse a free oil change or a tire rotation service, so give it to them as gift certificates. These are common features of many holiday marketing strategies that you can even use to cross-sell your car maintenance products.
However, don’t overlook the power of an online gift certificate. It’s a more convenient marketing option since you can promote it on your social media channels and email lists – which brings us to…
5. Send Personalized Emails
Sending your customers personalized emails on special occasions is a powerful marketing tool. This can make them realize that you truly appreciate their loyalty. While this auto repair shop advertising technique is recommended during the Christmas holidays, it should also work well any time of the year.
6. Do Cross-Selling
Suggest products and services to your customers in the months before the holidays. Cross-selling is perfect for auto repair shops as it allows them to sell items like jumper cables or Fix-a-Flat sealants. Customers can use these as useful gifts to fellow car owners.
7. Send Gift Ideas
Help your customers find a suitable Christmas present by sending them emails or publishing content that offers gift ideas customized to their needs. Many local marketing tips you can find online recommend coupons as a gift idea, as this is particularly effective during the holidays. Customize the coupons to reflect the special winter deals of your auto shop.
8. Offer Free Delivery
Don’t be afraid to consider out-of-the-box holiday marketing strategies to increase holiday sales. Imagine a car that you have fully repaired on the weekend. Instead of waiting for the owner to pick it up on the next working day, have the car delivered to his home right away at no extra cost. It can significantly impact the customer’s experience of doing business with you.
Key Takeaway
Auto repair shops are usually in-demand during the holidays. That’s because car owners will get their vehicles prepared for the harsh winter climate ahead.
Still, the industry is highly competitive, with so many shops vying to be the go-to car-care expert that most car owners will choose to service their vehicles. This is where online marketing for auto repair shops will come into play. With the helpful tips mentioned above, you’ll be well on your way to being the industry leader in no time.
Promote your auto repair shop better this Christmas with the help of Advanced Digital Automotive Group.
Christmas is an ideal time to market your auto repair shop to a bigger online audience. Consider the fact that more people travel during the holidays, and they will need a good car shop to service their vehicles.
Advanced Digital Automotive Group can help you out in the marketing aspect. We employ effective digital marketing strategies, including auto repair SEO techniques that will result in more customers for you any time of the year. If you’re interested, contact us right away, and we’ll plan things out for you. Call now.
