If you made a resolution for 2016 to earn additional loyalty from customers, then this post is for you. In the past, marketers would say retaining  customers is much easier and more cost effective than going out and soliciting new business. This still rings true today; however, with the growing number of marketers vying for your customers’ attention and the increased competition in the automotive arena, you may need to step up your customer loyalty game. Here are a couple of ideas you can use to show love to customers and build customer loyalty by leveraging the upcoming holidays.

Show Love with Valentine’s Day
Most Americans view Valentine’s Day as just another “Hallmark holiday”. But no matter who you are, and even if you think Valentine’s Day is senseless, you’d appreciate it if someone wished you well on this day of love. Think about leveraging this opportunity to build customer loyalty by letting customers know how much they mean to you. You could send customers a valentine through social media, email, or direct mail that thanks them for their continued business and demonstrates your appreciation. This valentine could include a special savings for loyal customers or just a heartfelt message. Whatever you do, don’t overthink it; just consider what your customers want and need and let that be your guide.

Show Love with Presidents’ Day
As you know, the Presidents’ Day holiday is one of the best automotive sales days of the year and it’s the perfect time to focus your efforts towards customer loyalty. Now I know what you’re thinking - “How can I focus on selling cars and customer loyalty?” Great question! A recent study from Consumer Affairs shows that despite the growing number of vehicle choices, a large segment of Americans find a brand they like and stick with it. Think about leveraging this upcoming holiday weekend to focus on customers who are in a favorable equity position, coming up on an expiring lease, or have owned their vehicle for more than five years. By communicating in a timely manner, these customers are more likely to come back to you to purchase additional vehicles versus going to your competition.

February is right around the corner so don’t wait! Get started and show love to customers to build loyalty.

If you made a resolution for 2016 to earn additional loyalty from customers, then this post is for you. In the past, marketers would say retaining  customers is much easier and more cost effective than going out and soliciting new business. This still rings true today; however, with the growing number of marketers vying for your customers’ attention and the increased competition in the automotive arena, you may need to step up your customer loyalty game. Here are a couple of ideas you can use to show love to customers and build customer loyalty by leveraging the upcoming holidays.

Show Love with Valentine’s Day
Most Americans view Valentine’s Day as just another “Hallmark holiday”. But no matter who you are, and even if you think Valentine’s Day is senseless, you’d appreciate it if someone wished you well on this day of love. Think about leveraging this opportunity to build customer loyalty by letting customers know how much they mean to you. You could send customers a valentine through social media, email, or direct mail that thanks them for their continued business and demonstrates your appreciation. This valentine could include a special savings for loyal customers or just a heartfelt message. Whatever you do, don’t overthink it; just consider what your customers want and need and let that be your guide.

Show Love with Presidents’ Day
As you know, the Presidents’ Day holiday is one of the best automotive sales days of the year and it’s the perfect time to focus your efforts towards customer loyalty. Now I know what you’re thinking - “How can I focus on selling cars and customer loyalty?” Great question! A recent study from Consumer Affairs shows that despite the growing number of vehicle choices, a large segment of Americans find a brand they like and stick with it. Think about leveraging this upcoming holiday weekend to focus on customers who are in a favorable equity position, coming up on an expiring lease, or have owned their vehicle for more than five years. By communicating in a timely manner, these customers are more likely to come back to you to purchase additional vehicles versus going to your competition.

February is right around the corner so don’t wait! Get started and show love to customers to build loyalty.

The new year brings new possibilities and an opportunity to start again. This January, think about reconnecting with current and inactive customers to demonstrate why they should do business with your dealership. Most consumers are looking to save money and time in the new year, so when you’re communicating your specific dealership advantages, you’ll want to make sure to highlight these specific benefits. Here are two ideas to get you started.

Find Ways to Save
Giving customers discounts can be a very slippery slope. How much should you discount? Will you be able to hit revenue numbers when discounting? Will you actually build purchasing behaviors and loyalty when you discount services, or will your customers go to the business that offers the best discount? These are all questions you should ask yourself before determining how you will help your customers save money in the new year. Think about offering a punch card that allows customers to buy three oil changes and get a fourth one free. Or provide a free multi-point inspection, tire rotation, or car wash and vacuum with every vehicle service. Demonstrating that your dealership offers a little something extra for free and building behaviors and loyalty are great ways to ensure active and inactive customers continue to come back to you in the new year.

Save Them Time
For many Americans, time is the most valuable resource and one thing they don’t want to do is waste time having their vehicle serviced. Think about setting your dealership apart from the competition by offering a shuttle service or pick up and delivery service. These types of conveniences are priceless to consumers, because they can get back time by doing business with you. If you offer a quick or express lane, be sure to market it in the new year with the specific details about how long it takes to get a vehicle serviced. Find ways to give customers back their time and your dealership will be rewarded with increased traffic and revenue.

If you’re looking to find additional opportunities in the new year, try communicating with customers about ways you can save them time and money. These two factors will demonstrate your dealership advantage and start your new year off right!

The new year brings new possibilities and an opportunity to start again. This January, think about reconnecting with current and inactive customers to demonstrate why they should do business with your dealership. Most consumers are looking to save money and time in the new year, so when you’re communicating your specific dealership advantages, you’ll want to make sure to highlight these specific benefits. Here are two ideas to get you started.

Find Ways to Save
Giving customers discounts can be a very slippery slope. How much should you discount? Will you be able to hit revenue numbers when discounting? Will you actually build purchasing behaviors and loyalty when you discount services, or will your customers go to the business that offers the best discount? These are all questions you should ask yourself before determining how you will help your customers save money in the new year. Think about offering a punch card that allows customers to buy three oil changes and get a fourth one free. Or provide a free multi-point inspection, tire rotation, or car wash and vacuum with every vehicle service. Demonstrating that your dealership offers a little something extra for free and building behaviors and loyalty are great ways to ensure active and inactive customers continue to come back to you in the new year.

Save Them Time
For many Americans, time is the most valuable resource and one thing they don’t want to do is waste time having their vehicle serviced. Think about setting your dealership apart from the competition by offering a shuttle service or pick up and delivery service. These types of conveniences are priceless to consumers, because they can get back time by doing business with you. If you offer a quick or express lane, be sure to market it in the new year with the specific details about how long it takes to get a vehicle serviced. Find ways to give customers back their time and your dealership will be rewarded with increased traffic and revenue.

If you’re looking to find additional opportunities in the new year, try communicating with customers about ways you can save them time and money. These two factors will demonstrate your dealership advantage and start your new year off right!

The 2015 calendar year ended with a bang in the automotive industry, surpassing all vehicle sales expectations and previously set records. Industry experts have concluded that 2016 is on record to outpace 2015, making it the new record for auto sales in the U.S. The excitement around vehicle sales is great and you’ve probably reaped the benefits attributed to these numbers. However, we’d like to focus today on how you convert these new sales customers into loyal service customers. Here are two campaign ideas to start your new year off right by keeping your dealership top-of-mind and educating your customers about their new vehicle purchase.

Explain Technology Features
Each year, the models produced by automakers have more and more technology features. They haven’t brought to market a driver-less vehicle yet, but we all know it’s on the horizon. Help build confidence with your customers and brand awareness for your dealership by sending vehicle education tips about the new technologies found in your recently sold vehicles. Most Americans are keeping their vehicles longer; a recent poll shows vehicle ownership at 93 months, or about eight years. With this length of ownership, it’s probably safe to assume that these new buyers’ previous vehicles had little to no technology features; hence, any education you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Think about using a campaign to focus on a specific technology feature or create model specific campaigns to review several technology features.

Develop Maintenance Habits
One of the most important things to do when you sell a new vehicle is to get the customer to come back to you for service work. There are many reasons beyond your control that a customer won’t come back to you, but you have to work to develop maintenance habits to keep the customer coming back over and over again. Start by introducing them to your Service Department, then work to educate them about their vehicle’s specific maintenance schedule, and lastly be sure to educate them about the need for regular and seasonal maintenance. A strong sales follow-up marketing plan will ensure recently sold customers will come back to you for their vehicle maintenance needs. Keep in mind, this same strategy works well to retain active service customers and bring back inactive customers.

Start your 2016 off right by keeping customers loyal to your dealership and service drive full with vehicle education tips.

The 2015 calendar year ended with a bang in the automotive industry, surpassing all vehicle sales expectations and previously set records. Industry experts have concluded that 2016 is on record to outpace 2015, making it the new record for auto sales in the U.S. The excitement around vehicle sales is great and you’ve probably reaped the benefits attributed to these numbers. However, we’d like to focus today on how you convert these new sales customers into loyal service customers. Here are two campaign ideas to start your new year off right by keeping your dealership top-of-mind and educating your customers about their new vehicle purchase.

Explain Technology Features
Each year, the models produced by automakers have more and more technology features. They haven’t brought to market a driver-less vehicle yet, but we all know it’s on the horizon. Help build confidence with your customers and brand awareness for your dealership by sending vehicle education tips about the new technologies found in your recently sold vehicles. Most Americans are keeping their vehicles longer; a recent poll shows vehicle ownership at 93 months, or about eight years. With this length of ownership, it’s probably safe to assume that these new buyers’ previous vehicles had little to no technology features; hence, any education you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Think about using a campaign to focus on a specific technology feature or create model specific campaigns to review several technology features.

Develop Maintenance Habits
One of the most important things to do when you sell a new vehicle is to get the customer to come back to you for service work. There are many reasons beyond your control that a customer won’t come back to you, but you have to work to develop maintenance habits to keep the customer coming back over and over again. Start by introducing them to your Service Department, then work to educate them about their vehicle’s specific maintenance schedule, and lastly be sure to educate them about the need for regular and seasonal maintenance. A strong sales follow-up marketing plan will ensure recently sold customers will come back to you for their vehicle maintenance needs. Keep in mind, this same strategy works well to retain active service customers and bring back inactive customers.

Start your 2016 off right by keeping customers loyal to your dealership and service drive full with vehicle education tips.

2015 was a great year for us at OneCommand, but it wouldn’t have been possible without you. The team at OneCommand is grateful to you for allowing us to partner in your success. We look forward to all of the new possibilities 2016 will bring with our loyal clients.

From our team to yours, have a wonderful and safe holiday, and a joyful and prosperous new year.

2015 was a great year for us at OneCommand, but it wouldn’t have been possible without you. The team at OneCommand is grateful to you for allowing us to partner in your success. We look forward to all of the new possibilities 2016 will bring with our loyal clients.

From our team to yours, have a wonderful and safe holiday, and a joyful and prosperous new year.

As 2015 quickly comes to a close and we look ahead to 2016, it’s time to get started on your end-of-the-year marketing. The next campaign in the OneCommand Holiday Marketing Guide is for New Years. We’ll provide three ideas to help you reflect on the current year and look forward to the bright future of the coming year.

Ask for Honest Feedback
The end of the year is a perfect time to reflect on what’s been working well and what hasn’t and make the necessary adjustments and goals to do better in the coming year. Often times, however, you don’t know what is working and what is not from a customer’s perspective. Think about delivering customers an end-of-the-year message that solicits their honest, unbiased feedback. Inform them why you are doing this and that you want to make 2016 even better than 2015 and you need their help to do so. A communication like this is always well received by customers and typically very beneficial for businesses. You might even want to provide a small incentive to customers who offer good, constructive feedback.

Inform of 2016 Enhancements
Chances are there are already things that you plan to do a little differently next year, be it more email marketing, free car washes with service, more detailed walk-arounds, or additional customer appreciation events. Regardless of what you have planned for 2016, you’ll want to inform your customers of anything that directly enhances the customer experience. The truth is, as Americans, we always think bigger and more are better, so if you’re offering customers more, then they may decide to come back to you in the new year rather than your competitor.

Send Thanks and Warm Wishes
A simple and effective way to stay top of mind with customers throughout the hustle and bustle of the holidays and into the new year is to send a heartfelt thank you message for their patronage throughout 2015. This can come in the form of an email or direct mail, whichever fits your specific needs and budget. Just be sure the message is a simple thank you and not a solicitation for their business. This will resonate better with your customers as the stress and anxiety of the end of the year mounts and they’ll reward you in the new year with increased sales and service business.

Right now is the perfect time of year to solicit customers for their opinions about their experiences at your dealership. It’s also the perfect time to adjust items that need improvement and offer enhanced services to customers in the new year to get an advantage on the competition. But, don’t forget to send customers thanks for their business to ensure you get a great start to 2016.

As 2015 quickly comes to a close and we look ahead to 2016, it’s time to get started on your end-of-the-year marketing. The next campaign in the OneCommand Holiday Marketing Guide is for New Years. We’ll provide three ideas to help you reflect on the current year and look forward to the bright future of the coming year.

Ask for Honest Feedback
The end of the year is a perfect time to reflect on what’s been working well and what hasn’t and make the necessary adjustments and goals to do better in the coming year. Often times, however, you don’t know what is working and what is not from a customer’s perspective. Think about delivering customers an end-of-the-year message that solicits their honest, unbiased feedback. Inform them why you are doing this and that you want to make 2016 even better than 2015 and you need their help to do so. A communication like this is always well received by customers and typically very beneficial for businesses. You might even want to provide a small incentive to customers who offer good, constructive feedback.

Inform of 2016 Enhancements
Chances are there are already things that you plan to do a little differently next year, be it more email marketing, free car washes with service, more detailed walk-arounds, or additional customer appreciation events. Regardless of what you have planned for 2016, you’ll want to inform your customers of anything that directly enhances the customer experience. The truth is, as Americans, we always think bigger and more are better, so if you’re offering customers more, then they may decide to come back to you in the new year rather than your competitor.

Send Thanks and Warm Wishes
A simple and effective way to stay top of mind with customers throughout the hustle and bustle of the holidays and into the new year is to send a heartfelt thank you message for their patronage throughout 2015. This can come in the form of an email or direct mail, whichever fits your specific needs and budget. Just be sure the message is a simple thank you and not a solicitation for their business. This will resonate better with your customers as the stress and anxiety of the end of the year mounts and they’ll reward you in the new year with increased sales and service business.

Right now is the perfect time of year to solicit customers for their opinions about their experiences at your dealership. It’s also the perfect time to adjust items that need improvement and offer enhanced services to customers in the new year to get an advantage on the competition. But, don’t forget to send customers thanks for their business to ensure you get a great start to 2016.