The holidays are a busy time with most customers trying to balance a full schedule of shopping, cooking and guests on top of their normal workload. Because of this, many auto shop owners opt out of seasonal promotions thinking their customers will not respond during such a busy time. It might not be what most people might expect but, for the auto shop owner, a well-timed seasonal promotion is one of the best ways to get noticed and promote action.

How to Make Seasonal Promotions Work

Timing’s everything in seasonal auto shop promotions, and the right promotion at the right time can equal a huge success. The trick is in know what the customers need, and when. That means considering the weather and types of traveling customers might do during that time. Big holidays usually mean more traveling, and extreme temperatures mean vehicles need extra care, for example.

Here are some great ways to heat up your holiday promotions:

• Offer what customers need prior to a long holiday drive, such as tune-ups, winterizing, and heater maintenance. These kinds of promotions remind customers of a service they should fit into their schedule, and appeal to anyone wanting safe travels.

• Offer special deals on seasonal products such as winter tires.

• Anticipate need and run a seasonal promotion on seasonally related damage, such as hail damage repair. Season offers like these can help inform your customer base about services they might not know you provide or set you apart from those shops that don’t offer the same service.

• Create promotional items to reflect your specials, such as flyers and banners.

• Advertise your specials on your website and consider offering an additional perk to anyone providing your online code.

• Promote your special in social media, and in your blog and give readers a way to share your special with others.

• Share your specials in your newsletters and provide valuable information about the necessity and value of your service.

• Consider using a cross-over promotion with a related business, such as a local car wash. A cross-promotion can connect your to people that many not know of your services and encourage them to become loyal customers.

• Make each promotion unique so you keep customer interest.

The right deal can get people to your door. Just as important though, using seasonal promotions keeps your name in front of current and potential customers. In the automotive industry, seasonal promotions are a wonderful way to keep your customers engaged and coming to your door when they need your services.