The main concern of all businesses is how to get and keep more customers. That requires a comprehensive, affordable marketing plan. What is an affordable marketing plan? Talking to a marketing expert can be well worth the investment. A car service shop can have lots of customers nearby that do not know they exist. But, if potential customers knew there was a dependable shop within a convenient distance, they would come for oil changes, repairs, and maintenance. Good marketing will let vehicle owners know about that car service shop.

What Marketing Strategies Will Attract Customers?

What if a person has a car repair business and is too busy serving customers to manage any kind of marketing campaign? But, there are still some empty car service slots every week. More business would be nice. One way to get more car repair customers is to hire a marketing specialist with experience promoting auto repair shops.

Some forms of marketing that work include:

• Direct mail
• Digital Marketing
• Advertising online
• Campaigns on social media
• Signage on or near the business building to attract the attention of customers.
• Getting involved in the neighborhood where the shop is located. This could involve sponsoring local school sports teams or having a booth at local events.
• Advertising locally
• Having special deals for first-time customers.
• Partnering with nearby businesses for referrals.

An auto repair shop owner can contact a marketing company for a free marketing overview and to find out what the company is capable of doing to bring more customers to the business. An effective marketing strategy needs to be both comprehensive and cost-efficient. Considering the costs of direct mail in 2024, this may be a better alternative than some other forms of marketing, for many businesses. There are plenty of marketing companies that can create targeted direct mail campaigns, reaching ideal customers in the area, so be sure to research and compare different options.

Don't Neglect Marketing Your Business

Depending on word of mouth or people driving by and seeing the business may not be a good enough marketing strategy. Though it is easy to neglect marketing a business, getting more business is what helps a business survive and grow. There is always competition to deal with. Getting customers to come to a shop rather than a competitor is what marketing is all about.

It is important to know the area a shop is located in and what the radius is that advertising should go to. How far are potential customers willing to drive to use an auto repair service? Since a lot of customers look for local services online, have an online presence. Getting a good, easy-to-navigate website can bring in new customers and help existing ones contact the business to make appointments or ask questions about available services.

Busy business owners might find that their time is better spent operating their business, and hiring a marketing expert to set up a good marketing program that is within an affordable budget makes sense. Then they can learn how to track that marketing program to see what works and what does not work. 

Take good care of existing customers and let them know their business is appreciated by sending Christmas cards, birthday cards, or sending follow-up cards with information on additional services offered as well as reminders about things like oil changes. Some business owners have found that contacting customers by e-mail is easier than using traditional mail. An e-mail asking if a customer is happy with the service or recent repair can be effective. 

Ask satisfied customers to refer friends to the business or to leave a good review online. If a company has a website, customers can be directed to leave positive reviews there. Consider giving customers a small reward for referring new customers to the business.