Back to resources Build Better Customer Relationships With These Tricks of the Trade Posted on July 15, 2021 in Articles GET OUR NEW GUIDE How to Make Money in Auto Repair Unlock the secrets to optimize your Gross Profit and achieve greater success in your business. Build Better Customer Relationships With These Tricks of the Trade The journey to build a rapport with your customers begins by getting to know them better. We traditionally did this by conversing with clients, but nowadays you can keep track of their habits via data collected with auto repair software with real-time labor guides AND a great customer interface. Tips for getting to know your customers and building a more personalized auto repair brand. Connect on social media. Consumers spend 2+ hours per day on social media —commenting, liking, and sharing content. Engagement platforms such as Facebook and Instagram can help you start conversations and spark dialogue with consumers, even when you aren't face-to-face. Send out surveys to get direct feedback and honest thoughts from your customers. This will allow you to segment your audience. Consumers today are more likely to do business with brands that provide personalized, relevant offers, so use survey response information to better meet their needs. Host an event. By hosting a customers-only event, you will build value and create a memorable experience for your customers in a more personal way. Take this opportunity to start a conversation with them with your shop management software! Utilize customer data. Analytics can drive a powerful marketing plan. Take advantage of your customer database to send automated, personalized emails. Remind customers of upcoming appointments, to schedule a new appointment, or even reach out to them with a birthday email. Map the customer journey. This offers a clear picture of how customers find and interact with your business. Use this information to create more relevant experiences at each step of the journey. Understanding the customer journey is a great way to put yourself in your customers’ shoes and see your business from their perspective. In the end, getting to know your auto repair customers will help you better segment your audience to target similar consumers. This will also give you the opportunity to offer a much more personalized experience to drive engagement and boost sales. Get the latest in your inbox. 15 minutes will transform your shop. Demo the industry's leading shop management technology. About the Author Upswell UpSwell Marketing is a direct response marketing agency offering print and digital capabilities. UpSwell, founded in 2020 through the merger of Muscle Up Marketing and Mudlick Mail, has more than 13 years of marketing experience serving over 10,000 clients, executing more than 150,000 campaigns, and a track record of helping clients acquire more than 10 million new customers and counting. Learn more about our work with a free marketing assessment.