In the race to accelerate sales, car dealerships often exhaust their tanks on traditional advertising tracks – think TV spots, billboard ads, and radio slots. Yet, an undeniably powerful player, email marketing for car dealers, is often side-lined. This medium is about tuning up your strategy and putting email marketing in the pole position to help car dealerships drive their revenues.

In this guide, we’ll pull back the curtain on the crucial role of email marketing for car dealerships, explain how to optimize your return on investment (ROI) and shift gears with effective marketing strategies that sell more cars. So, buckle up and prepare to drive your dealership’s growth at full throttle!

The Importance of Email Marketing for Car Dealers

Welcome to the digital era! An age where business relationships are no longer confined to face-to-face interactions or cold calls. Email has revolutionized how we communicate and build customer relationships, especially in industries where purchases are high-value and infrequent, like automotive.

As a car dealership, you deal with long buying cycles. This is where email marketing comes into play, as it can be your golden ticket to maintaining relationships with potential buyers over time. And guess what? It’s cost-effective too. According to the Data & Marketing Association, email marketing has an average ROI of $38 for each $1 spent. Imagine the financial impact of that on your dealership!

Understanding ROI on Emails

ROI is a three-letter acronym that can send shivers down the spine of any business owner. After all, we’re in the business to make money, right? The simple principle here is the higher the ROI, the better your marketing strategy.

In email marketing, ROI is the profit made from your email campaigns compared to how much you spent on them. It’s calculated by dividing the net profit by the total costs of the campaign. It measures how effective your email marketing campaigns are in generating a profit.

To get an accurate measurement, you must consider all the costs associated with email marketing. This could include the software used, the time spent creating the emails, and additional costs like hiring a designer or copywriter. It’s also important to look at the revenue generated directly from the campaign, for instance, the sales from customers who clicked on a link in the email.

Understanding ROI on emails is crucial for car dealerships. It gives you a clear insight into what’s working, what’s not, and where to steer your future marketing efforts.

Laying the Foundation – Email Marketing Basics for Automotive Dealerships

You wouldn’t hit the road without a map or a GPS, would you? Similarly, embarking on the journey of email marketing for car dealers requires a solid roadmap. The basics for automotive dealerships aren’t much different from those of any other industry, but let’s cover them in the context of your car dealership.

First things first, you need a robust subscriber list. You can start building this list by encouraging visitors to your dealership and website to subscribe to your emails. Make the process easy and quick; nobody wants to fill out a form as long as a vehicle specification sheet!

Next, let’s talk about the content strategy. Unlike a car’s user manual, your emails should be engaging and easy to digest. It should resonate with your target audience and give them something valuable. Think of special offers, updates about new models, car maintenance tips, and even financing advice.

The third pillar of successful email marketing is personalization. We’re not just addressing the recipient by name – it’s about delivering content tailored to their needs and interests. Just like you wouldn’t sell a sports car to a family needing a spacious SUV, your emails should cater to the recipient’s needs. 

Email Marketing Tips for Automotive Dealers

When it comes to email marketing for automotive dealers, the “one-size-fits-all” approach crashes before it even leaves the garage. Here are some proven tips to steer you toward success:

Segment your list – Just as every car model appeals to a different demographic, your emails should too. Segment your list based on factors like customer type (new potential buyer, returning customer), car interests, budget range, etc.

Personalize your emails – Use customer data to personalize your emails. A personalized subject line can increase open rates by up to 50%.

Send timely emails – Be it annual service reminders, birthday wishes, or seasonal promotions, the timing of your emails is crucial.

Test and optimize – Just as a car needs to be fine-tuned to perform its best, so does your email marketing campaign. Test different aspects of your emails and optimize them for better results.

Remember these tips, and you’ll be well on your way to driving up your sales.

Selling Cars via Email Marketing – A Comprehensive Approach

Here’s where the rubber meets the road. Email marketing isn’t just about sending regular emails; it’s about selling cars and growing your dealership. Sounds like a tall order? Don’t worry; we’ve got your back! Let’s explore how you can turn your emails into a revenue-generating machine.

Showcase New Models: Nothing quite grabs attention like a new car’s allure. Capitalize on this by dedicating emails to showcasing new models. Be sure to highlight the new model’s unique features, advanced technology, and sleek design. A well-crafted email with high-quality images can ignite interest and lead to inquiries.

Personalized Recommendations: Here’s where the power of personalization shines. Use the data you have on your customers to send personalized car recommendations. For instance, if a customer has shown interest in a specific type of car, send them an email featuring similar models or makes.

Exclusive Offers: Everyone loves feeling special. Offering your email subscribers exclusive deals makes them feel valued and encourages them to make a purchase. Exclusive offers can significantly boost your sales, whether it’s a limited-time discount, a special financing deal, or a freebie with a purchase. 

Test Drive Invitations: An email is a great way to invite potential customers for a test drive. Make it easy for them by providing a link to schedule the test drive and include all the necessary details. Remember, the test drive is often the deciding factor in car buying, so don’t overlook this strategy!

Follow-up Emails: A sale doesn’t end when a customer drives off the lot. Send a follow-up email to see how they like their new car, offer maintenance tips, and encourage them to return for regular service. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also promotes repeat business. 

These strategies can help you leverage email marketing to sell cars more effectively. But remember, every dealership is unique, so it’s important to fine-tune your strategies based on what works best for you. 

Summing Up

Email marketing is a powerful way to stay in touch with your customers and get them to make a purchase. T3 Marketing’s experienced CMOs have been designing successful email campaigns for car dealerships for years. Our strategically crafted campaigns are part of an omnichannel marketing approach that ensures potential customers interact with your dealership on every possible front.