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Auto dealers have tried everything in the past (and, to be honest, even now) to increase sales. You name it: catchy jingles, humorous advertising, tent sales, enormous inflatables. In today’s digital age, auto dealership marketing is crucial. While some practices are fading away, others that are just as ineffective frequently replace them.

Have you switched to digital ads from print, radio, and/or television commercials? How has the experience been for you? PPC advertising can be futile unless you spend enough to ensure top placement in every online search. However, you still need to figure out how to draw clients, both online and offline.

What, then, should an auto dealer do? Don’t attempt to rush things to start with. Auto dealership marketing is a long-term tactic.

Yes, you do desire the following sale. However, you also want that client to return repeatedly and to refer their family and friends.

When you control the marketing budget, you have several alternatives to attract potential clients to your auto dealership. Attract buyers to your showroom and use proven strategies to get them behind the wheel.

You should also read Rory Vaden’s book “Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success”. This book challenges the ‘escalator mentality,’ encouraging persistence over shortcuts.

Are you ready to launch a more effective auto dealership marketing plan? Here’s how to combine auto marketing strategies to attract clients, retain customers, and boost profits.

Why Conventional Auto Dealership Marketing Frequently Fails

Auto dealership marketing is harder as attention spans shorten and online options grow. Print and radio ads no longer work, while newer methods like PPC often succeed or fail unpredictably. Traditional marketing may give a short boost but quickly fades within a month.

The Advantages of a Client-Centered Free Maintenance Program in Auto Dealership Marketing

Long-term growth shapes automotive loyalty as traditional dealership marketing fades. Traditional methods like direct mail differ from modern retention strategies like free maintenance, but both matter.

A complimentary maintenance program should ultimately serve as a comprehensive customer retention strategy. Customers come to your dealership for their first car, service, and future purchases. If you keep them satisfied, they’ll recommend you to friends and family and post about you on social media.

Customer comfort grows into commitment, transforming single purchases into lifelong loyalty. Free maintenance plans have proven to be effective at boosting client loyalty and service revenue. You promote your dealership by offering tailored packages that meet customer needs and stand out from competitors.

Are You Spending Money on the Wrong Audience?

Public advertising rarely targets your specific client model, and you must pay a premium for that placement. As a result, traditional advertising rarely gives most dealerships a significant return on investment (ROI).

On the other hand, a successful auto dealership marketing program stands out by being both focused and affordable. By offering options like prepaid, discounted, or loyalty programs, you effectively target vehicle buyers and meet their diverse needs. Before making a sale, the typical dealership spends $628 on traditional advertising for each vehicle. For about one-quarter of that price, a free maintenance program can draw buyers to your dealership.

Why Customer Retention Is So Important in Auto Dealership Marketing?

What does a consumer in the automobile industry pay? Well, that depends on the type of customer in question. Keeping customers is up to ten times cheaper than attracting new ones, making repeat buyers valuable. Experts predict that the top 20% of your current customers will generate 80% of your future revenue.

Most strategies attract new customers, but a good marketing plan also brings back past buyers for service and sales. When your dealership values client retention, the benefit of free maintenance becomes clear.

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