9 Effective Marketing Strategies to Get Mobile Mechanic Leads
Keeping your existing customers happy and loyal is invaluable. However, to grow your business, you also need to generate new mobile mechanic leads.
Luckily, there are many different cost-effective marketing tactics you can use to generate those leads and grow your customer base. Try these nine game-changing marketing strategies to reach potential customers for your auto repair shop.
1. Build a Professional Website With SEO in Mind
If you don’t already have a website for your auto repair services, now is the time to make one. Almost 75% of small businesses have a website because it enhances their online presence and helps them attract their target audience. These days, a professional website is essential for showcasing your services and building credibility.
Once you create a website, work on an SEO strategy to improve your search engine rankings. The higher your website ranks on the results pages, the easier it is for customers to find your mobile mechanic business.
Search engine optimization generally involves steps like:
- Adding keywords to your website's content, including each blog post
- Using title tags, meta descriptions, and alt text for images
- Getting other credible websites to link back to your site
- Improving your website's speed
- Making your website mobile-friendly
Add your optimized website to your Google Business Profile as well. That way, customers looking for mobile mechanics in your area will see your listing and be able to easily contact you.
2. Connect Through Social Media Marketing
It’s also worth developing a social media presence on at least one or two key platforms that your customer base uses. By regularly posting on social media, you can grow your online presence, engage potential clients, and generate more qualified leads for your mobile mechanic business.
Social media marketing can also involve paid ads on these platforms. Pair paid social media campaigns with organic content creation to get the best of both worlds. You’ll grow an audience organically and also get your mobile mechanic service in front of social media users right away.
Plus, a social media marketing campaign is a cost-effective tool that will help keep your mobile mechanic lead costs down. You can generate leads, like phone numbers for mobile RV mechanics, without breaking the bank.
3. Engage Past Clients With Email and SMS Marketing
While many digital marketing strategies focus on attracting new customers, it’s also worth engaging your current satisfied customers. SMS and email marketing are the two ideal strategies for accomplishing that.
With email and SMS marketing, you need the customer’s permission before you can start sending them marketing messages. Then, you can send them special promotions, new service announcements, and any other messages you think will keep them engaged. By staying in touch, you can boost your customer loyalty and secure more repeat appointments.
4. Implement a Referral Program
Another way to incorporate existing customers into a marketing strategy for auto mechanics is to implement a referral program. In these programs, you encourage each happy customer to refer their friends or family to your business. If they make a successful referral, you offer them an incentive, like a discount, shop credit, or exclusive access.
These programs can help you turn loyal customers into an extension of your marketing team — sending new customers to your business.
5. Build Loyalty With Repeat-Customer Incentives
Similarly, loyalty programs can encourage your customers to keep coming back to your business. You can offer an incentive to repeat customers, giving them an extra reason to choose your mechanic service in the future. For example, you might say that every fifth oil change is free. That way, customers are more motivated to hire you to complete all of their oil changes so they can take advantage of the free service.
A loyalty program isn’t the only way to encourage repeat business, though. You should also work on building strong customer relationships on a foundation of trust. Be reliable, transparent, and honest with your clients. Provide prompt, efficient, and courteous service. And follow up with potential clients after the initial contact to address their questions and provide additional information.
All of these little steps will highlight your commitment to customer service, improving your online reputation and generating more business.
6. Establish Visibility With Online Directories
When customers search for a local mechanic, they may end up on online directories. If your business isn’t on those lists, you’re probably missing out on lead opportunities.
So add your details to the relevant online directories. If you’re already in these directories, check on your listings to make sure the information is still up to date.
7. Strengthen Your Brand With Local Sponsorships
You don’t have to limit yourself to digital advertising strategies, either. Sometimes, direct outreach in your community is an incredibly effective way to generate leads. Try visiting local businesses and dropping off business cards.
Another option is to sponsor local events or participate in activities like the town fair. Generally, these in-person marketing activities help foster a stronger connection with your local community. You’re getting your business out there while engaging directly with the people who are most likely to purchase your services.
Work on building strong relationships with local parts suppliers, too. You never know when they might send over some valuable referrals.
8. Amplify Your Reach Through Paid Advertising
An organic content marketing strategy like SEO can yield great results, but it takes time. If you’re looking for more immediate results, try paid advertising.
For example, you could run pay-per-click (PPC) digital ad campaigns. In a PPC campaign, you pay a set fee when someone clicks on your ad, and that’s it. You don’t have to pay for all of the times your ad appears in front of somebody who isn't even interested.
PPC campaigns allow you to target specific keywords or demographics, so the people seeing your ads are much more likely to be interested in your business.
Examples of types of PPC campaigns include:
- Search ads
- Video ads
- Display ads
- Social media ads
- Retargeting ads
- Gmail ads
For mechanics, search engine and social media PPC campaigns are likely among the most effective for amplifying your reach.
9. Track and Measure Your Success With Analytics Tools
In any marketing campaign, it’s vital to track and analyze key performance indicators. These metrics will help you understand how your campaigns are performing.
It’s up to you to decide what metrics you want to track. Many marketing platforms track some metrics automatically, but for more thorough insights, you need third-party analytics tools. Make sure you select tools that integrate well with the other software you use to avoid complications later.
Depending on your business's goals, you may want to track metrics like:
- Conversion rate
- Customer lifetime value
- Leads generated
- Cost per lead
- Return on investment
- Cost per click
- Return on ad spend
- Click rate
- Impressions
Monitor your results for each campaign, but also your progress over time. As you learn what works and what doesn’t in your marketing campaigns, your metrics should improve.
Learn How We Can Help
You’re already busy managing your business — becoming a marketing manager on top of that can simply be too much. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. Optimize Digital Marketing is here to help you manage your auto body marketing campaigns, from paid ads to social media.
Contact us today to start building a personalized marketing strategy that will drive more customers to your business.