{"id":2615,"date":"2017-05-01T09:00:21","date_gmt":"2017-05-01T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/?p=2615"},"modified":"2017-05-01T09:00:21","modified_gmt":"2017-05-01T13:00:21","slug":"dealership-marketing-strategies-make-spring-summer-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autoraptor.com\/blog\/dealership-marketing-strategies-make-spring-summer-success\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Dealership Marketing Strategies to Make Spring and Summer a Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"dealership<\/h2>\n

Stay competitive in the warmer month by using some of these dynamite dealership marketing strategies<\/h2>\n

Winter is notoriously challenging when it comes to auto dealership sales, with January typically being the slowest month of the year for U.S. auto sales. January 2017 was no different than past years, with the top three companies in U.S. sales\u2014General Motors, Toyota<\/a>, and Ford<\/a>\u00a0\u2014all reporting declines<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But now, as the days are getting longer and you\u2019re able to leave the house without seven layers, it feels like things will be looking up. If you want to capitalize on the heavier demand in the coming months, though, you\u2019ll need to get your dealership marketing strategies<\/a>\u00a0organized and on point.<\/p>\n

This isn\u2019t just about shelling out money for marketing\u2014your plan needs to be structured for both online and offline, and targeted toward the wants and needs of consumers during the spring and summer.<\/p>\n

Not sure where to begin? Here are a few ideas to get you moving in the direction of maximizing your profit during the warmer months.<\/p>\n

Warm weather dealer marketing strategies to boost auto sales<\/h3>\n

1. Reallocate marketing dollars<\/strong><\/p>\n

Look at your marketing budget and the channels you\u2019re using for advertising. For example, did you \"dealershipput a significant portion of your budget toward television commercials during the fall and winter? In spring and summer, your customers are less likely to be sitting inside watching TV, and more likely to be out and about. Consider taking some of your TV dollars and moving them into Facebook advertising or PPC ads.<\/p>\n

2. Sponsor local events<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are all types of community events<\/a>\u00a0during spring and summer, so don\u2019t miss opportunities to sponsor some of them and get your dealership\u2019s name out there! Visit your town\u2019s website (and neighboring towns) to get a feel for an event\u2019s fit with your dealership\u2019s mission and business model. Think of your target customer base and what events they might attend.<\/p>\n

3. Host events<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sponsoring a community event is one thing, but don\u2019t forget that spring and summer are perfect for \"dealershiphosting events at your dealership, as well. Advertise a big weekend barbecue on your lot with free food and games for local families\u2014no string attached. It\u2019s a nice way to bring in new faces and create good will (that will eventually come back to you in the form of future sales).<\/p>\n

4. Analyze your summer sales history<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve been in business for a while and tracking your dealer marketing strategies diligently, your marketing efforts don\u2019t have to be a guessing game. Go back in your records to look for lulls and boosts in sales during the spring and summer months of past years. Try to figure out what may have been going on during those periods of time\u2014did you get a boost in sales after the local newspaper ran a story about your dealership? Was there a big dip in sales in two weeks during July 2015 because your area had a damaging hurricane? Look for what you can control\u2014and what you can\u2019t\u2014and use those insights in your planning.<\/p>\n

5. Create targeted email campaigns<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fill your CRM with copious notes and details about the lives of your customers and what tidbits they\u2019ve given you over the years. For example, do you know a few of your customers take a road trip with their families every summer? Create and advertise one general offer for a certain percentage or dollar amount off a pre-road trip tune-up\u2014but then, email those customers directly<\/a>, tell them about the deal, and offer them an even better deal for being great customers. It shows you\u2019re listening and you care about the details.<\/p>\n

6. Establish a giveaway contest for graduates<\/strong><\/p>\n

May and June are prime time for high school and college graduation, and one of the most prized \"dealershipgifts a graduate could receive is a brand new car. Wouldn\u2019t it be great if your dealership could make that happen for a local grad? The terms of the contest are obviously up to you, but when a car is up for grabs, word has a way of traveling fast and making your dealership look incredibly generous.<\/p>\n

You could have an essay content, in which graduates can be nominated (by themselves, or someone else) as being worthy of winning the new car. There are many ways to make this type of contest profitable for your dealership, so put on your thinking cap!<\/p>\n

7. Run a tax return promotion<\/strong><\/p>\n

Getting together a down payment for some customers can be incredibly difficult, but there\u2019s one time of the year when those people seem to finally get a chance: tax season. When people get their tax returns, auto dealerships see an influx of potential buyers looking around the lot.<\/p>\n

Want to make sure those eager buyers with fresh tax returns come to your dealership? One of the more popular dealership marketing strategies is offering to double someone\u2019s tax return for a down payment\u2014up to a certain point, of course. So, if someone walks in with $2,500 for a down payment, you\u2019d throw in another $2,500, so they have a total down payment of $5,000. Again, the exact terms are up to you and what your dealership can swing financially.<\/p>\n

Spring and summer are great seasons to get creative with your dealership marketing strategies. Just remember that no matter what you do, organize ahead of time, make a schedule, and have a reason behind every advertising dollar you spend.<\/p>\n

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