At Get My Auto, we always encourage used car dealerships to post their inventory to Craigslist—one of the very best ways to connect with highly motivated local car buyers.
It’s important to remember, however, that Craigslist isn’t just an ideal venue for selling cars. It’s also an opportunity for you to sell your dealership.
Imagine this scenario: A Craigslist user clicks on one of your ads for a used Chevy Equinox. After reading the ad copy and considering the specs, they decide that maybe it’s not the right car for them. In some situations, this may be the end of your relationship with the buyer. But if your ad copy gives them some compelling reason to learn more about your dealership—to visit your website and see what else you have in stock—that can obviously be a big win!
That’s why, in addition to outlining the selling points for each car, your Craigslist ads should also showcase some of the most important selling points of the dealership itself.
Here are some examples.
How to Brand Your Dealership in a Craigslist Ad
Showcase Your Sales Experience
A lot of car buyers want to know that, when they visit your dealership, they’re going to be treated with respect—that they won’t have to endure a lot of haggling or high-pressure sales tactics.
Does your dealership promise a haggle-free experience, without a lot of sales pressure? If so, that’s something to emphasize in your ad copy.
Display Your Awards
Has your dealership ever received any kind of award, whether locally or nationally? Have you been honored for your excellent customer service?
That, too, is something you can put into a Craigslist ad. These trust signifiers can help buyers feel more confident in choosing your dealership over the competition.
Include Testimonials
Speaking of trust signifiers, one way you can win over potential buyers is to provide testimonials or reviews from past customers.
You probably don’t want to include too many, and you don’t want them to be too long—but a brief customer review snippet can be a good way to augment your Craigslist ad copy.
Offer Add-Ons
Are you willing to provide any add-ons for your used car—something like an extended warranty, a new set of tires, or whatever else?
Again, it’s helpful to note as much in your Craigslist ad copy. Even if your buyer decides they don’t want the vehicle in question, you can allow them to see your willingness to go the extra mile and provide a really great product.
Remember: You’re Not Just Selling Your Inventory
The key takeaway here is that, when you create a Craigslist ad, you’re not just selling a particular vehicle. You ultimately have to sell buyers on your dealership, giving them a reason to buy their used Camry or Escape from you and not the used car lot down the road.
Curious to learn more about effective Craigslist strategy? Reach out to the Get My Auto team today.