Creative Marketing Ideas For Car Dealerships

Word-of-mouth and referrals-If you don't have referral incentives in place, now's the time to start. Make sure your salespeople are handing out their business card to every customer they meet and asking them to tell their friends and family about their great buying experience. It's quite surprising how many dealerships don't take advantage of this. Car buying is about a trusting relationship, and potential customers will trust their friends and family much more than they will trust your advertisements, plain and simple. Create a brochure that describes your referral program and also feature it at all your sales desks using vinyl decals, so customers can read about it while they're waiting for the sale to be completed.

Sell your sales team-You're not just selling the benefits of your vehicles, you're also selling your fully-qualified sales and service teams. Use the power of social-networking to connect with potential customers on a more-personal level. Create videos that introduce your salespeople and show a bit of their personality. Post pictures of every vehicle you sell with the happy new owners and the team member who sold them the vehicle. These techniques make you seem more friendly, approachable, and real.

Business partnerships-Creating business partnerships with other local businesses can be a great way to reach new customers. Provide special offers to businesses in your area, or even host a event at your dealership that allows these businesses to connect with your customers as well. The more customers are on your lot, the better chance you have of selling a vehicle.

Sponsorships-Sponsor local groups and organizations in your community. This could range from a little league sports team to an important charity foundation. In exchange for a sponsorship, you're able to advertise using vinyl banners at all the organization's events, and you're often listed in their print material as well. Not to mention, this gives your dealership a positive reputation in the community. When customers know you care about what they care about, they're more-likely to buy from you.

Honesty and counter-culture-In this day and age, many customers are fed up with car companies and their dealers. Why not be bold and different by being honest? Instead of baiting your customers with false promises and shady deals, be straight-forward, without any hidden tricks or games. Hang a vinyl banner in your lobby that states your honest intentions-customers will definitely appreciate this, and they may even tell others about you!