When you hear the word “automation,” what comes to mind? It probably makes you think of a faster and better way to get things done. Hold that thought.
Now, think about a typical day in your business. A customer calls in a panic because their garage door won’t open. You arrive at the scene and make your diagnosis: a worn-out opener. The repair is made and the door works like new again. You’ve solved the problem and earned another satisfied customer. That’s that - you move on from this customer and on to the next job, right?
Not so fast.
What if you could keep that customer engaged after the repair is complete? What if you had a way to send regular maintenance reminders or special offers? And what if you could do it automatically, with little or no work on your part?
That’s where marketing automation comes in. Marketing automation is a program that performs routine marketing tasks without human assistance. By automating repetitive tasks, such as email and text message marketing, you’ll achieve greater efficiency and provide a more personalized experience for your customers.
Here are five ways Hibu can help your garage door business use email and text marketing to nurture customer relationships and get an edge over the competition:
1. Send seasonal reminders
Garage door maintenance is not typically at the top of a homeowner’s list of priorities — but it’s important. Common issues, like worn-out rollers, frayed cables, and imbalanced springs, often happen at the worst possible time. You can capitalize on seasonal opportunities by sending automated email and text reminders. For instance:
- Spring cleaning time. Schedule emails and texts in early spring to remind customers about the importance of annual garage door inspections. Highlight potential issues that could arise due to winter wear and tear, then offer a discount on preventive maintenance to induce action.
- Prepare for winter. When fall arrives, send automated messages reminding homeowners to make sure their garage doors are ready for winter. Promote services like weather seal replacement or insulation upgrades to ensure seamless operation during colder months.
These automated reminders keep your business in your customers' minds and demonstrate your commitment to their safety and convenience.
[Related: 6 Common Digital Marketing Challenges for Local Businesses (and How To Solve Them)]
2. Drive sales with special offers and promotions
Marketing automation allows you to segment your customer base and send targeted email and text blasts promoting special offers. A few examples:
- New garage doors for new homeowners. Send personalized emails offering discounts on new garage door installations to people who recently purchased a home.
- Take advantage of upsell opportunities. Send automated emails highlighting the benefits of upgrading to a more energy-efficient or secure garage door for customers with older models.
- Promote a loyalty program. Offer discounts to repeat customers for regular maintenance services.
- Announce referral rewards. Show your appreciation to existing customers with discounts for referring friends and neighbors to your business.
- Send welcome offers to new customers. After a new customer’s initial installation, send follow-up emails offering discounts on future maintenance or a free safety inspection.
Using marketing automation to send targeted promotions can generate leads, encourage repeat business, and increase productivity during slow periods.
[Related: Top 5 Ways Your Small Business Should Be Using Email Marketing]
3. Request reviews and testimonials
Positive reviews and feedback play a significant role in building trust and credibility for your garage door business. After completing a job, an automated system can send an email or text message encouraging satisfied customers to share their positive experiences on platforms like Google, Yelp, or your website. For best results:
- Set up an automated email to be sent a few days after a service is completed. Be sure to thank the customer for their business before asking them to leave a review.
- Offer a discount or free consultation in exchange for a review to encourage participation.
- Respond promptly to all reviews — positive and negative. Take the time to thank happy customers and professionally address any concerns raised in negative reviews. (You can set up an automation to notify you when a negative review appears online, allowing you to respond promptly.)
By automating review requests, you can regularly gather valuable feedback. Automation also streamlines the process for the customer, making it more likely they’ll follow through with the review.
[Related: Five Reasons Why You Need To Focus On Online Reviews Now]
4. Share tips and educational content
Keeping your customers informed about garage door maintenance can position your business as an authority in the industry. When you have a reputation as a knowledgeable resource, homeowners are more likely to trust you with their garage door needs. With marketing automation, you can:
- Offer homeowner maintenance tips. Send email newsletters or share social posts with advice on DIY maintenance tasks, like cleaning garage door tracks, lubricating rollers, checking for wear and tear, or troubleshooting common issues.
- Launch a safety awareness campaign. Educate customers on garage door safety precautions — like keeping the opener cord out of reach of children, the importance of photoelectric sensors, and ways to prevent pinched fingers or falling objects.
- Showcase the latest products. Keep customers up-to-date on new garage door models, openers, or smart home integration options. Include high-quality images and provide a link to your website for detailed information.
[Related: 3 Reasons Why You Should Use Online Content to Attract Customers to Your Local Business]
5. Send follow-up messages after each job
Following up with customers after scheduling, starting, or completing a project helps to ensure their satisfaction and encourages repeat business. It’s also a great way to identify any issues that need to be addressed. Marketing automation allows you to:
- Conduct satisfaction surveys. Send a quick email or text a few days after a job is completed to inquire if the customer is satisfied. This allows you to address lingering concerns and gather feedback to improve future services.
- Update customers on project status. Let customers know how a project is progressing by sending updates via text message. Also, as a courtesy, send a quick text notification whenever a technician is running late.
- Send warranty reminders. Set up automated reminders for customers with warranties on new installations. Let them know coverage details and encourage them to contact you for warranty-related issues.
- Confirm appointments. When an appointment has been scheduled, send an automated text message confirming the date, time, technician’s name, and contact information.
Hibu can help you implement a comprehensive marketing automation program.
Implementing an automated marketing campaign requires a platform that can handle email and text marketing. That’s where Hibu comes in. We have the tools to set up an automated email and text marketing program tailored to your business needs. We’ll help you collect customer data, create content, set up automation workflows, and regularly review the performance of your messaging.
Ultimately, marketing automation takes these time-consuming tasks off your plate, so you can focus on what matters most: providing excellent customer service and repairs.
Don’t wait to automate! Find out how Hibu can help you “open the door” to more business. Call us at 877-237-6120 or complete our Get Started form for a free, no-obligation consultation.
