AKRON — Whether you are ready or not, it's that time of year again: Pumpkin spice season, I mean, autumn.
With this season comes pretty scenarios, time for snow tires and so much more. It also provides a great opportunity on social media to relate to your followers and to get them into your store. I have compiled a quick list of social media posts that your shop can be posting through the next few months.
- Seasonal photo opportunities
There is nothing I love more than taking a stroll with a cute scarf on, with a pumpkin spice latte in hand, during this time of year. With the leaves falling, there is an array of color and I love to capture that. I am not the only one.
My personal Facebook and Instagram accounts are always bombarded with #autumn, #leavesfalling, #applepicking and #pumpkinpatch photos. Why not take advantage of the love of this season? Reach out to your audience and host a social media contest for Best Fall Photo. This could work well throughout your social media channels — especially ones with a more visual focus like Instagram. You could hang up and feature the winning photo or photosin your store, which will encourage the photographer and his or herloved ones to swing by. If you have been toying around with the idea of starting an Instagram account for your tire shop, this could be an opportune time to launch it.
- Halloween
Although it seems like it's too soon, Halloween is just around the corner. This is possibly the most visual holiday, so it's perfect for interacting with your audience on social media. Do you give any special treats to Trick-or-Treaters who stop in the shop on Halloween? If so, publicize it on social media. Do your employees dress up for the holiday? Showcase that on social media and show your customers the more fun side of your business. Social media can be an educational tool for your business, but it is also a way to just have a little fun.
- Turkey prep
After Halloween has wrapped, then comes my personal favorite holiday: Thanksgiving. Why? Because of all the delicious food. I think it started back in college when I would come home from school for break and my first real meal was the Thanksgiving feast.
This is a good time to try to share some recipes with your audience or ask them about what their favorite part of the holiday is. More importantly, it can be a time to give back to the communities your tire shops serve. Connect with local charities on social media or host food drives, etc., to make sure everyone in the community has a wonderful holiday.
While charitable actions are not about getting publicity, you can promote what you are doing so more people can get involved. For instance, if you run a campaign in the store that if a customer brings in a canned good, they get a discount on their automotive services, than post it to social media. This will let your customers and potential customers know about what is going on at the shop so they can join in and help out.
- Winter tire ads
Use social media to help educate consumers about why winter tires can be important to their safety. Not everyone understands the importance of having winter tires — and who better to educate them than an expert?
While these other suggestions discuss the more fun aspects your shop's social media sites can offer your customers, this one also details how it can be an educational resource. A customer may only visit your shop a few times a year, but they can see your social media activities much more often. Show them your expertise and you may entice them to step through your door on a more regular basis.
- Time for kick off!
Are you a football fan? Even if you are not, many of your customers are! Get online and start chatting about your local sports team. You can even show your support for national teams and get into the conversations about the big game that other people are already talking about.
Enjoy this time of year and interact with your audience. Use social media as a publicity and educational tool and you may find that some of your followers are spending a bit more time in your shop as well.
Have any thoughts? Run any campaigns in the past that worked out well? Let me know! Email me at [email protected] or tweet to me at @jenniferkarpus.