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It can be a challenge to keep your auto repair shop on the minds of your customers, but one of the best ways to grow your business is through referrals. More than 2.4 billion conversations are taking place per day that involve brands. This gives you plenty of opportunities to leverage your auto shop in these types of conversations.
These conversations are taking place all over and through numerous channels — in person, online, social media — and while the internet has become a highly-reputable (and go-to) resource for learning more about a brand, consumers are still talking to their friends and families about their experiences with local businesses.
Although a personal recommendation holds a lot of influence with your prospects, 88% of consumers are still researching online before making a purchase. It’s important to maintain a positive online reputation, so when these consumers do research your business, they see nothing but positive reviews from others online.
5 Referral Strategies for Your Auto Repair Shop
Referrals can be a powerful tool and source of new customers. When you provide exceptional service, referrals are bound to naturally happen, but a little more work is needed to guarantee long-term success and cultivate brand advocates.
Here are our top strategies for boosting your auto shop’s referrals:
1. Thank your customers for their business.
A little bit goes a long way! Saying thank you to your customers is a simple, but a big step that should never be missed. Make your customers feel appreciated and give them an exceptional, memorable experience.
2. Provide service reminders to stay in touch with your customers.
Staying connected through email and postcard mailings will help to build a better connection with your customers and keep your auto repair business on their minds. By offering service reminders, your customers will feel like they are always on top of their regular vehicle maintenance. Sending a reminder through direct mail is a great way to cut through the clutter and competition, providing a unique experience with your auto shop.
3. Ask for reviews about your service.
Actively grow your business by asking for reviews. There is nothing stopping you from asking, and don’t limit yourself to Google My Business reviews. Brand conversations are happening all over the internet, so suggest they share their experience on social media as well. This gives you a more diverse online presence and keeps customers engaging.
4. Get involved with your local community.
Being involved will show your support in the community and can help you attract new customers that you otherwise wouldn’t have connected with. Sponsoring a local event or charity and hosting a workshop can bring your community together and is a great way to show your support.
5. Consider a loyalty program.
Reward the customers who are your biggest fans. Show them how much you appreciate them and acknowledge their support with a loyalty program. When your customers feel valued they will be more likely to share their experiences with others.
What your customers are saying about your auto repair shop matters — both on and offline — and taking the extra steps to boost your referrals can be huge for growing your business. People trust recommendations, and referrals are an inexpensive marketing tactic that can rev up your business growth, helping you achieve your goals.
If you’re ready to get started but don’t know where to begin, contact the experts at UpSwell to get started driving more customers to your doors.
