![\"car](\"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Screen-Shot-2017-03-17-at-3.27.04-PM-1024x390.png\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a typical day at the dealership, and you\u2019re running around trying to get a million things done. Out of nowhere, a random customer walks up to you and says, \u201cWhat\u2019s your brand?\u201d<\/p>\n
What would your answer be? \u201cOur brand? Well, we sell lots of auto brands here! We\u2019ve got Chrysler, Jeep<\/a>, and Dodge<\/a>\u00a0on our lot. Is there a particular make or model you\u2019re looking for?\u201d<\/p>\n But your customer isn\u2019t asking about the brands you sell\u2014he\u2019s asking about your brand. Your dealership\u2019s brand. Would you have any clue what to tell him?<\/p>\n Branding is what differentiates you from those other five dealerships down the street. It\u2019s what people think about your business and how they view you. It\u2019s the entire dealership experience, from the second they walk in your door, to the advertisements they see, to how the service department treats them, to the business cards your salespeople hand out.<\/p>\n Car dealership branding is about creating a seamless experience from start to finish. Your brand is your identity, so think long and hard about how you want the public to perceive your business.<\/p>\n Once you completely understand your car dealership branding and fully integrate it into your business, it\u2019s time to get a little creative. There are fundamental ways to brand your dealership, like a professionally-designed logo or choosing brand colors, but there are more unique touches<\/a>\u00a0that can make you even more memorable to customers.<\/p>\n 1. Clich\u00e9: Write a catchy jingle that\u2019s used in radio and TV ads.<\/strong><\/p>\n Unexpected:<\/strong> Host a competition in which you invite people to compose and sing a new jingle for the dealership. Mel Hambelton Ford in Wichita, Kansas created \u201cMel Hambelton Idle\u201d and modeled it after the show \u201cAmerican Idol.\u201d Over the course of the competition, several events at the dealership drew audiences of up to 300 people. 90 people auditioned live, and the grand prize winner was awarded a free two-year lease on a new Ford Focus, $5,000 in cash, and recording studio time.<\/p>\n 2. Clich\u00e9: Put a coupon on your website for $10 off a customer\u2019s next oil change.<\/strong><\/p>\n Unexpected:<\/strong> As a way of saying \u201cthank you\u201d for buying a car at your dealership, offer free oil changes for as long as the customer owns that vehicle. Oil changes aren\u2019t that expensive, but no one enjoys shelling out $40-$50 every few months on their vehicle. This will show that you care about them and keeping their new car in tip-top shape (and hopefully, they\u2019ll also call your service department when they need repairs).<\/p>\n 3. Clich\u00e9: Offering free, stale bagels next to a hot pot of burned coffee in your waiting area.<\/strong><\/p>\n Unexpected:<\/strong> Want customers to feel comfortable\u2014even cozy\u2014while waiting in your dealership? Keep a fresh display of warm chocolate chip cookies available all day long. Chill a carafe of milk nearby, because everyone knows chocolate chip cookies are nothing without a tall glass of milk. Coffee is still a must in any dealership but invest in a Keurig, so you never have to worry about a customer choking down a gross cup of joe.<\/p>\n 4. Clich\u00e9: Create a social media presence for your dealership on Facebook and Twitter.<\/strong><\/p>\n Unexpected:<\/strong> Facebook is still the biggest social media site, but if you\u2019re only on there, you may be missing an entire younger demographic in your car dealership branding efforts. If part of your brand is being technologically-savvy and modern, extend your reach to Instagram and Snapchat. Both social apps are more popular with younger drivers<\/a>\u00a0than Facebook or Twitter, and they\u2019re still unchartered territory for a lot of car dealerships\u2014which means there\u2019s a lot of potential for being a real trailblazing brand.<\/p>\n 5. Clich\u00e9: Only branding your dealership.<\/strong><\/p>\n Unexpected:<\/strong> Support and encourage your salespeople to promote themselves. Allow employee branding, with restrictions that help protect your dealership\u2019s brand, and give them a portion of your marketing budget to do so. Hold classes that teach them about branding, messaging, and creating a unique voice in the community. When done right, having popular employees within your dealership can bring in even more customers.<\/p>\n Take the time to think about how you want people to perceive your dealership \u2014it may even help to work with an advertising agency in the branding process\u2014and then move forward with innovative branding ideas. Your community will come to know what you stand for, and hopefully, you\u2019ll see that reflected in your profits.<\/p>\n![\"car](\"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/auto-1850953_1280-1024x576.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nWhat is car dealership branding?<\/h3>\n
\n
![\"car](\"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/audi-a5-884243_1280-1024x449.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/p>\nHow to make your car dealership branding stand out<\/h3>\n
\n\nInterested in an Affordable, Full-Featured Auto Dealer CRM?<\/h2>\n
Schedule an AutoRaptor Demo Now!<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n