The average car buying journey has 24 touchpoints (PDF link) and most people have made up their minds long before they ever set foot into the dealership.
As an automotive marketer, your own organic social media and content strategy is one key way you can build a relationship with audiences so that the next time they’re thinking of test driving a new vehicle or bringing their own in for service, your brand, dealership, or service center is the first (and last) one they think of.
With that in mind, here are 15 thought starters and automotive social media marketing ideas that you’re welcome to steal when you’re looking to fill out your social content calendar with fun, engaging, organic automotive social media marketing posts.
1. Virtual Showroom Tours
Take your audience on a tour of your showroom. Highlight the latest models and key features, make your co-workers wave to the camera. Use a story format to make it evergreen or livestream and invite viewers to ask questions in real-time.
2. User-Generated Content
Encourage your customers to share their own photos and stories of their experiences with your vehicles. Share your favorite submissions in your feed. Rewarding participants with an exclusive offer, branded swag, or similar is a nice way to say thanks and also encourages further participation.
3. Go Behind the Scenes
Share behind-the-scenes glimpses of your process, design studios, and testing facilities. Again, this can be evergreen content or real time live streamed content. Either way, this kind of transparency can build trust and foster a deeper connection with your audience.
4. Think Unique
Go deep on a unique feature or hidden benefit. For example, maybe there’s a neat “easter egg” hidden in a vehicle touchscreen menu, or hidden detail in the vehicle upholstery or instrument cluster that’s worth sharing. Get creative.
5. Offer Education
Teach your followers something and you’ll earn a special place in their minds. For example, you might share how to check tire pressure, change a tire or use temporary tire patch foam. The point here isn’t that tire-related content performs well (it might… we’ll have to ask BENlabs AI for some insights there) but that teaching content is evergreen and adds value for your followers. And that’s the goal.
6. Interactive Quizzes
Create fun and informative quizzes that help customers find the perfect car for their lifestyle. Share the results on social media, along with personalized recommendations.
7. Influencer Collaborations
Partner with automotive influencers or bloggers who have a significant following in your niche. Their endorsement and reviews can reach a wider audience and build credibility.
Bringing content creators on board is a powerful way to expand your audience. With BENlabs platform and BENlabs AI, it’s easy to create influence campaigns that connect.
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BENlabs AI-powered Smart Creator Matching uses cluster analysis to surface and stack rank content creators who align with brand values and who have your target audience’s attention.
8. Customer Testimonials
Feature real customer testimonials in video or text form. Showcase how your vehicles have improved their lives, making your brand more relatable and trustworthy.
9. Countdowns and Teasers
Create excitement around new product launches or events by sharing teasers, countdowns, and exclusive sneak peeks. Keep your audience engaged and eagerly anticipating the big reveal.
10. Interactive Polls and Surveys
Use polls and surveys to gather insights into your audience’s preferences, opinions, and desires. This data can inform product development and content creation.
11. Storytelling through Mini-Series
Craft engaging mini-series or episodic content that tells a compelling story about your brand’s history, innovation, or the journey of your vehicles from concept to production.
12. Themed Hashtag Campaigns
Launch themed campaigns around popular automotive events like auto shows, racing seasons, or car launches. Encourage users to share their related content using your branded hashtag.
Recent examples from GM include #likeapro, #thatsabuick, and #chevylove:
@chevrolet This is no ordinary garage. Check out one fan’s jaw-dropping #Chevy collection with @emeliahartford. #ChevyLove ♬ original sound - Chevrolet
13. Virtual Test Drives
Offer virtual test drive experiences through immersive 360-degree photos or videos. Allow viewers to experience the thrill of driving your cars from the comfort of their homes.
A 360° camera is key here and you can grab one for under $500. Take a look at PC Mag’s 360° camera roundup for some pointers.
14. Exclusive Contests and Giveaways
Run exclusive contests with valuable prizes, such as free servicing, merchandise, branded swag or anything you think your followers might respond to. Encourage users to share, like, and tag friends to maximize reach.
15. Seasonal and Holiday Campaigns
Tailor your content to holidays and seasons. Create themed campaigns and promotions for events like summer road trips, winter driving, graduation, etc.
go forth and create
Think Like a Creator. Successful content creators figure out what engages and grows their audience and then they do more of that. They test, experiment, and try new ideas.
Hopefully, some of these 15 automotive social media marketing ideas are the thought starter you need to fill out you social media content calendar.
Remember to keep your content engaging, authentic, and responsive to your audience’s needs. By consistently delivering value and creating memorable experiences, you’ll accelerate your brand’s growth and stay ahead in the competitive automotive industry.
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