10 Ideas For Marketing an Auto Dealership

July 17, 2013 by Carstory.com

Here are our top ten tips for marketing your auto dealership. Read on for our best tactics and, of course, always feel free to share your tips and ideas in the comments.

Our Top Tips for Auto Dealer Marketing

1. Drive a parade of branded cars around town

Coordinate 5-10 branded cars to drive around the neighborhood of your dealership.

2. Offer a free shuttle at event

At a large event, where parking may be far away from the venue, offer complimentary service to drive people in branded vehicles from the parking to the event.

3. Offer basic auto maintenance classes at the dealership

Host them monthly and provide $1000 discounts to anyone who buys a car on that day.

4. “Find the car” game

Hold a 12-week contest. Get people to tweet the location of a branded car hidden somewhere near your dealership each week. The first person to tweet the location gets entered into a contest to win the car.

5. “Car of the day” tweets

Each day, send a tweet about a different vehicle you’re offering. Direct them to a blog with all the specs of that particular car and contact info.

6. Offer a referral program

Develop a program where previous customers get free maintenance service packages when their friends buy a car.

7. Film testimonial videos

Produce an online video series of how your customers use the cars they bought from you. Identify interesting stories that engender positive brand associations like non-profits, construction companies, moms of large families, etc.

8. Send special event invitations to your neighborhood

Host a monthly party with music, food, etc, open only to those who receive the invitation. The exclusivity of the event will make attendees feel special. Follow it up with exclusive offers available only at the event.

9. Free “new parents survival” pack

Offer various gift packages for different types of buyers based on life stages. Example: stroller, car seat, 6-month supply of diapers.

10. Buy 1, get the 2nd half off 

Offer a promotion where if a customer buys 1 new car, they can purchase a 2nd used car at half the sticker price