8 SMS Marketing Best Practices for Auto & Tire Shops

There is no shortage of individuals and businesses selling marketing services to auto and tire shops. However, many overlook one of the most critical aspects of marketing - reaching your target audience where they are most engaged. Today, more than ever, the best place to reach customers is on their smartphones via text. In fact, the average person checks their texts more than any other app on their phone. That means, when generating a marketing plan for your shop, including SMS marketing is essential. In this blog post, we'll reiterate the benefits of SMS marketing and provide you with eight best practices to effectively market to your auto repair and tire shop customers through text messages.

The Benefits of SMS Marketing

Before diving into the best practices, let's understand why SMS marketing is an invaluable tool for auto and tire shops.

1. Instant Communication: SMS allows you to reach your customers instantly. Text messages are typically opened within minutes, ensuring that your message gets immediate attention.
2. High Open Rates: SMS boasts one of the highest open rates among all marketing channels. Roughly 33% of people check their text notifications within one minute of receiving a text, far exceeding typical email open rates. 
3. Increased Customer Engagement: SMS marketing enables personalized communication with your customers to drive higher engagement and conversion rates. Plus, because many people read text messages as soon as they receive them, you are more likely to get instant feedback on your marketing campaigns. 
4. Cost-Effective: SMS marketing is cost-effective compared to traditional advertising methods like print or radio ads. This means you can reach a large audience without breaking the bank.
5. Higher Conversion Rates: With the right approach, SMS marketing can lead to higher conversion rates, whether it's getting customers to schedule an appointment, take advantage of a promotion, or leave a positive review.
   

Best Practices of SMS Marketing 

1. Build a Permission-Based SMS List: The foundation of any successful SMS marketing campaign is obtaining explicit consent from your customers to receive text messages. You can collect opt-ins through various channels, including your website, social media, and in-person interactions. When asking customers to opt-in to text messages, clearly communicate what customers can expect to receive and how often. For auto repair and tire shops, we recommend adding text message permission opt-in to your service advisor's drop-off script to ensure you get the highest number of opt-ins. Additionally, offering multiple opt-in types can help your shop increase opt-in rates. For example, this would enable your customers to opt-in for service reminders and discounts but not general marketing messages. 
2. Segment Your Audience: Not all customers are the same, and one-size-fits-all messages may not resonate with everyone. Consider segmenting your SMS list based on factors like vehicle type, purchase history, or location to send tailored messages that are more likely to convert. 
3. Craft Compelling and Concise Messages: SMS messages have a character limit, so getting straight to the point is necessary. Use clear and concise language to convey your message effectively. Include a compelling call-to-action (CTA) that encourages recipients to take the desired action, whether it's scheduling an appointment or visiting your shop. As a best practice, only include one CTA to keep customers focused on performing the desired action.
4. Timing is Key: Timing plays a crucial role in SMS marketing success. Avoid sending messages when no one at your shop is available to respond to requests or at inconvenient times. Consider your audience's daily routine and preferences when scheduling your messages. For instance, sending a reminder about regular vehicle maintenance on a Saturday morning may be more effective than a message on Friday evening.
5. Personalization Matters: Personalization can significantly enhance the impact of your SMS marketing campaigns. You should address recipients by their first name and send messages relevant to their specific needs and preferences. Remember to keep your point of sale information up to date and double-check to ensure you have all the correct spelling in your customer data.
6. Offer Exclusive Discounts and Promotions: Customers love feeling special, and offering exclusive discounts or promotions via SMS can make them feel valued. Create limited-time offers, flash sales, or loyalty rewards that are only accessible through your text messages. This encourages a higher opt-in rate, and drives repeat business and customer loyalty.
7. Provide Value-Added Content: In addition to promotions, provide valuable content that educates and informs your customers. Share tips on vehicle maintenance, safety, or seasonal driving advice. By offering helpful information, you position your shop as a trusted resource, fostering long-term customer relationships.
8. Monitor and Analyze Results: Regularly track and analyze the performance of your SMS marketing campaigns. Pay particular attention to metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and customer feedback. Use this data to refine your messaging and strategy over time and define the best strategy for your audience.

Implementing SMS Marketing 

While lucrative, formulating a comprehensive SMS marketing plan can be time-consuming and takes marketing expertise. Because of this, many auto repair and tire shop owners choose to partner with a digital marketing partner, like BayIQ or AutoVitals, to help formulate and manage their text message campaigns. When selecting a digital marketing partner for your shop, ensure they abide by opt-in and opt-out best practices, integrate with your shop management system/point of sale, and have automation to reduce the workload on your team.  

Conclusion 

By following these eight SMS marketing best practices, auto and tire shops can effectively engage with their customers, drive sales, and build lasting relationships. SMS marketing offers a direct and efficient way to connect with your audience, making it an invaluable tool in today's competitive market. To learn more about text message marketing, schedule a demonstration with BayIQ today!