Body Shop - advertising ideas

[asekevin]

Looking for a few ideas on how to market my shop. This is a new position for me. I want to think out of the box, or use tried and true methods. I don't believe my service marketing experience is going help enough. All ideas appreciated!!
Kevin Schutt

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Kevin-Honda Service Manager, TX

[robc]

<-- not a body shop expert.

But I do know two things, body shop marketing is two things; immediate and break the glass. Immediate involves people who just got in an accident and there is usually only one determining factor in that case, the tow driver. I think you already mentioned you're not bird-dogging the tow drivers, but it is the only tried and true method that I know of when you're standing on the side of the road with a smashed car, scared, shaken and wondering what to do next.

In an emergency "break the glass" is future marketing to your current customers (sales and service) that God-forbid they ever need you, you're there. Of course there's no immediate return on that marketing.

Outside the box marketing gets into non-tradition body shop stuff - wholesale painting, restoration work, body mods, etc.


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** Rob, Editor Dealersedge/WD&S **
Help is only a message post away!
robc@dealersedge.com

[asekevin]

Rob, Thanks for the input, sage like as always. You are spot on when refering to the wrecker driver issue. I am going to keep working this idea. Your other points give me some food for thought......
Kevin

[mhw]

Start with your existing customer base and work from there.Have a brochure printed to give to all customers during new and used car purchases talking about your body shop and why your better than the independents. Re-introduce yourself to all of your existing service customers as the "NEW" body shop manager, they may have had issues with your predecessor.Do you have multiple dealerships,if so do this at all locations. Have your dealer mandate that all used car body/paint repairs go through the body shop, not shade trees down the street or mobile bumper guys (he does it for the service department doesnt he). Contact all "MAJOR" (some small ones arent worth dealing with)insurance companies letting them know that you are now the new manager and inquire about DRP's . Go visit all of the local insurance agents in your area and leave them business cards, pens and pads. Contact you local rental car agencies that you may deal with in service and ask who does their repair work, usually you'll have to do it at a reduced rate but they have a lot of work and they pay fast. Just a few sugestions that have worked for me.

[Old Irish]

Lots of good thoughts.

My B/shop experience is limited but more than once I've seen some nightmares develop when the b/shop takes on "custom work" or "modifications" or "restoration work."

This sort of stuff is loaded with potential problems. Better than no work at all, I suppose, but not by much !

Just my 2-cents based on my own observations.

Good luck
DD