Car wash operators are always looking for new ways to grab the attention of their customers. They can do this by using a combination of auto shop advertising campaigns and creative tactics. The following five car wash advertising ideas can help you keep your brand name top-of-mind with existing customers and attract new ones.
1. Host Social Media Contests
One of the marketing tricks to boost a car wash business is through social media contests. They are a great way to increase your engagement and stay relevant on social media. Plus, it reinvigorates your social media presence besides the usual auto repair social media posts.
To market your garage, you could offer your customers the chance to win a car spring cleaning package, including a free car wash or detailing, by tagging their friends and family on social media. Your customers can earn discounted car wash services for a month by tagging your page with a photo of their freshly washed car. As an entry requirement, you can ask for an email address and build an email subscriber list to share coupons and promotions.
Take the time to communicate with your customers outside of your social media contests. You can use your social media accounts to showcase your work, post online-only discounts, and educate your customers about your business. The social media content engages viewers and encourages them to follow you. Be sure to respond to their feedback and thank them for leaving a comment.
2. Create a Loyalty Program
Loyalty programs can be one of the best ideas to grow car-wash profits because they engage customers and bring in new ones. Loyalty programs offer customers the opportunity to purchase car washes in bulk at a discount. In addition, customers can track the number of car washes with a punch card or a loyalty program app.
You can reward customers for repeat visits with a free car wash, which can help generate significant revenue for car wash businesses. A program such as this pays the car wash operator a certain amount each month while simplifying transactions for customers. You can also create loyalty programs for local businesses with fleets of vehicles. Businesses can buy bulk car washes to redeem when needed.
3. Offer Free Services When Possible
One of the most effective car wash marketing ideas is to offer free services. For example, you can offer free anti-bacterial interior treatments or spray-on wax services with every car wash service a customer buys. Providing these free services doesn’t have to be exclusive to existing customers. You can offer these services to new customers to entice them to visit your business.
Ensure you do not offer too many free services at once because that will deprive you of revenue. Instead, focus on what free services make sense according to the seasons and what the local community needs. You can spread the word about your free services through seasonal deals and loyalty program members. In doing so, you can build brand awareness and generate some positive word-of-mouth referrals.
4. Promote Seasonal Deals
Offering seasonal deals is one of the best car wash promotion ideas. Every season presents a unique opportunity for car wash businesses to provide creative seasonal promotions. These limited-time deals can help you attract new customers and grow your existing customer base tremendously.
If you want to get people into your store in the winter, post an online-only deal that’s good only during the week of Christmas when people are off from work. Promote the importance of frequent car washing through social media and onsite signs during springtime to prevent pollen and insects. Then, you can offer spring deals so customers can come in for car washes. Summer deals for those looking to wash their cars before going out on vacation can draw more attention from customers.
Having a seasonal happy hour car wash can encourage customers to come back and wash their cars by offering a percentage discount for an hour. Think about when you want to have this happy hour within your community. When you set your happy hour after work, you may be busy with a line of cars waiting for car washes. If you schedule your happy hour for an early time, such as from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m., you could attract older customers who want to avoid the weekend crowds.
5. Send Out Service Reminders Through Digital Marketing
Among successful marketing ideas for auto repair shops is sending out service reminders. These notifications can help your customers remember when it’s time to bring their vehicle in for service. Text and email marketing campaigns are both effective ways to send customers friendly reminders.
These service reminders can include a coupon or a line encouraging customers to schedule their next car wash service online or change their appointment if needed. They can also notify customers of any changes to your business, including service hours, holiday closings, and any weather-related changes they need to know about before driving to your car wash.
You can use these service reminders to get customer feedback by including a link to your online customer survey in your text messages or emails. This practice shows customers you value their loyalty and want to know if they have feedback or criticism to improve your services.
Rely On These Car Wash Marketing Ideas
To stay at the forefront of customer experience and marketing, car wash businesses must continuously innovate. These five marketing strategies are a great place to start engaging your customers and cultivating a positive, lasting relationship. Use one or more of these ideas in your marketing strategy today for a fresh approach that will help you stand out from the competition.
By Eric Shafer