2020 and 2021 have been record years for the marine industry and boat dealers are probably feeling those impacts the most.
Boat dealers have already dealt with the waiting game for the last year or so, and now, manufacturers are raising their prices to reflect demand. Boats are in limited supply and new boat customers don’t like the idea of waiting for their boats – let alone a price increase for a boat they’ve already committed to purchasing.
If your boat dealership is lacking inventory, but you still want to nurture your current customers, how do you impress potential boat buyers?
This blog will provide boat dealer marketing tips and strategies that will help you impress your boat buyer customers.
Cultivate a Relationship
Buying a boat is a big decision and your customers rely on you and your team to give them the best experience. Even though these are intense times, you still have an opportunity to build and cultivate a relationship with your prospective customers.
Write down your customers’ birthdays, anniversaries, favorite foods, etc. There are tools in place to help you keep track of this information, such as Salesforce or other CRM tools. Use that information as a reason to reach out and remind them that your boat dealership is there.
When a boat becomes available, the customer you have a great relationship with is more likely to buy from you.
Provide Valuable Information & Resources
Know the best fishing spots in the area? Maybe you know of a great dockside dining option. This type of information can come in handy when working with prospective customers.
Provide valuable information that they know they can probably only get from you. Your customers will appreciate the value that you provide to them and be more likely to refer other potential boat buyers.
Make it Fun
Boating is a fun activity that people associate with spending time with their friends/family and in general, having a great day. Take advantage of this and do a few fun things that can keep customers engaged:
- Plan an event – have food trucks, raffles, and activities for kids at your dealership. Keep in mind that the goal won’t be to sell boats but to engage your customer base.
- Host a social media contest – if you have enough engaged followers, you may be able to hold some social media contests where you give away a swag bag or boating accessories.
These are just a couple of ideas to make it fun, and if you know your customer base well enough, you can find other fun things to do.
Need Help Marketing Your Boat Dealership?
If you’re looking for boat dealer marketing strategies that work, consider working with Boat Marketing Pros. We are a marine marketing agency that helps boat dealers market their businesses online.
Give us a call to schedule a free strategy session. We can help you stand out from your competitors and reach boat buyers.
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