Attracting new customers to your auto repair shop is essential for growing your business and staying competitive. While keeping your existing customers happy is important, it’s equally important to have strategies in place that specifically target new customers.
Effective auto repair shop marketing isn’t just about promoting your services – it’s about building relationships, creating a strong presence, and showing your community that you care.
Here are five powerful strategies you can use to attract more customers to your shop and keep them coming back.
5 Auto Repair Marketing Strategies to attract New Customers
We know that your current customers are helpful to bring in new ones. For example, creating a referral program and giving customers more ways to connect with you online are great ways to attract new people. But you should also think about using special strategies to bring in new customers specifically.
While some people may just walk into your shop, you shouldn’t rely on that alone to get new customers. Instead, here are some smart ways you can make sure a steady stream of new customers keeps coming through your doors. This will help your auto repair shop marketing succeed!
1. Getting Involved in Your Community
One of the best and most fun ways to bring in new customers is by getting involved in your local community. Think about all the events that happen around you every month—things like school fundraisers, networking events, football games, animal adoption events, cook-offs, and more!
Partnering with Local Groups and Events
For example, if you and your team love football, you could partner with a local high school and sponsor their football team. You could put your logo on their helmets and give special coupons to the players and their families. This is a fun way to market your business while supporting the community.
Giving Back to Your Community
If you want to do even more, consider partnering with a nonprofit to raise money for a good cause. For example, you could match donations from your customers or help raise money by hosting events like a parade, a cookout, or even a car show..
The Joy of Helping Others
The best part about getting involved in your community is that you’re helping people and making your area a better place. When you see the local football players you sponsored getting scholarships or see more people running in the marathon you helped sponsor, you’ll feel so proud.
It’s not just about gaining new customers—it’s about doing good things for your neighbors. And remember, when you do good, good things will come back to you, which is great for your auto repair shop marketing!
2. Build an Online Reputation
Managing your online reputation is important for your auto repair shop. A big part of it is getting good reviews from customers and handling bad ones carefully. According to research by BizRate Insights, 59% of people check Google Reviews before going to a store.
Update Your Information on Google Map
The best auto repair shops show up on Google Maps, making it easy for new customers to find them. Many also use auto repair shop marketing software to help them manage and respond to reviews directly from the app.
Don’t Ignore Bad Reviews
When you get a bad review, don’t ignore it. Instead, respond calmly and professionally. Acknowledge the problem the customer mentioned, explain what you’re doing to fix it, and offer your contact information so they can reach out to you personally.
Your response is a chance to show how professional your shop is and how you work hard to solve problems. This can make your shop seem more trustworthy and help you earn more customers!
Here’s the complete guide on “How to Get Reviews for an Auto Repair Shop.”
3. Update Your Social Media Regularly
Here’s a question: What’s the first thing you do after waking up?
Research shows that around 80% of people check their social media within 15 minutes of waking up.
If you own an auto repair shop, here are some great marketing ideas to reach your current customers and attract new ones online:
Pick the Best Social Media
Facebook and Instagram are great platforms for promoting your auto repair shop. They’re easy to use and very popular!
Post Fun and Helpful Content:
Share short videos on Facebook about why it’s important to keep your car in good shape. This helps your customers learn something useful. You can also use Instagram stories to post polls asking what services your customers want. These are simple ways to engage with your audience and show them you care about their needs.
4. Run Email Campaigns
How often do you think someone checks their email?
According to OptinMonster, 99% of email users check their email every day. So, does email marketing still work? Studies show that email marketing is still one of the best ways to get people to take action, even with all the other digital marketing options.
Here are some tips to help you get started with email marketing for your auto repair shop:
Use the Right Tools
The best auto repair shop software helps you build an email list with your customer information. You can group people based on how much they spend, so you can send the right messages to the right customers. This software also lets you schedule emails in advance, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to send them. You can even set up follow-up emails to remind customers about your shop when they need a mechanic.
Click here to learn more about “5 ways Auto Repair Shop Management Software Helps You Run Your Repair Shop.”
Send Useful Information
No one likes getting emails that just feel like ads. That’s why it’s important to send content that your customers will find helpful. You could send newsletters that share updates about your shop or tips on car maintenance. This way, your customers will stay informed and remember your auto repair shop when they need services.
5. Offer Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs are a great way to get customers to come back to your auto repair shop. They make your regular customers feel special and appreciated by giving them rewards for their visits.
Here’s how to make your loyalty program work for you:
Create Custom Rewards
Set up a system where customers earn points every time they get a service at your shop. They can then use those points for rewards. For example:
- A free oil change after five paid services
- Discounts on certain services after earning a certain number of points
Have Different Membership Levels
Offer different levels in your loyalty program. As customers visit your shop more, they can move up to higher levels and unlock more special rewards.
Give Special Perks for Members
Make your loyalty program even more exciting by offering special perks, like:
- Early access to new services
- Special discounts during your shop’s anniversary month or on holidays
- Invitations to fun events or car care workshops
Here’s more:
| Strategy | Details |
| Reward Referrals | Offer extra points or benefits to loyal customers who refer their friends to your shop. This helps bring in more customers. |
| Ask for Feedback | Use the loyalty program to gather feedback by offering points for completing surveys. This feedback helps improve your services. |
| Keep Customers Engaged | Send updates through email or mobile apps to remind customers of their points and rewards. This keeps them excited to return. |
| Make It Easy | Ensure your loyalty program is easy to understand and use. Customers should be able to check their points and redeem rewards without any hassle. |
