April 2008 A Postcard is a Postcard is a Postcard Except, when it’s a MechanicNet Postcard! MechanicNet offers four primary groups of postcards. Choosing from these four groups, you can effectively market your business. As a subscriber to MechanicNet services you have probably already used some (if not all) of the offerings. On one end of the postcard spec- trum is the very easy “Vendor Sponsored” postcard promotions (your vendor does everything - they choose the mail date, postcard image, and list criteria. You simple agree to participate). On the other end of the postcard spectrum are the Specialty Cards where you have full control. Throughout 2009, we’ll discuss in detail each of the four postcard groups. In this month’s bulletin we discuss the Specialty Cards. Specialty Cards – Quick Overview A Postcard is a Postcard is a Postcard Specialty Card – Image Contest January 2009 Specialty Card - Timeline (Table 1) The Inside Lane
Transcript
April 2008
A Postcard is a Postcard is a Postcard
Except, when it’s a MechanicNet Postcard! MechanicNet offers four primary groups of postcards. Choosing from these four groups, you can effectively market your business.
As a subscriber to MechanicNet services you have probably already used some (if not all) of the offerings. On one end of the postcard spec-trum is the very easy “Vendor Sponsored” postcard promotions (your vendor does everything - they choose the mail date, postcard image, and list criteria. You simple agree to participate). On the other end of the postcard spectrum are the Specialty Cards where you have full control.
Throughout 2009, we’ll discuss in detail each of the four postcard groups. In this month’s bulletin we discuss the Specialty Cards.
Specialty Cards – Quick Overview
A Postcard is a Postcard is a Postcard
Specialty Card – Image Contest
January 2009
Specialty Card - Timeline
(Table 1)
The Inside Lane
Specialty Cards – Quick Overview
The Specialty Card Group is the most flexible among the four primary groups. The other card categories have a
particular pre-defined focus (i.e. reminders, thank you, inspection, holiday, seasonal). But specialty cards can be
used for anything. For example:
Because of the shop specific information, these cards are the most customizable and require the most input from
you. All aspects of the promotion need to be clearly defined: the front image, the back message, and the target
list (see table 1). In order to ensure all of the above are implemented accurately, we will work closely with you dur-
ing the development process. The cards are not printed until you approve the final proof!
Specialty Card - Timeline
If you decide to send out a specialty card, please keep in mind that the process from start to finish generally takes between two and three weeks. This timeframe is required in order to ensure that we are sending out the
precise card image, message, and the customer list that you want.
Step 1: Choose Front Image
Step 2: Specify Backside
Message requirements
Step 3 Specify Target list
(verify and approximate size)
(proofing loop) Step 4:Edit the final mailing list online
- We Have Moved
- Under New Mgmt
- Changing Names
- Vehicle Recall
- Party/Event
- Referral/Loyalty Programs
- General Announcements
7150 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200 Pleasanton, California 94566 877-632-4638
Specialty Card – Image Contest
MechanicNet announces the 2009 Specialty Card Image/Photography Contest. Many of you are amateur digital photographers and take wonderful pictures. We want to see what you’ve got! Here is a chance to get your imagination going and come up with a concept to get your customers attention. Take a picture (or look through your archives) and find images that can be used in any of the following categories:
- We Have Moved - Under New Mgmt - Changing Company Name
The winner will win the custom image for their postcards and the first 100 will be free. To enter your images email it to [email protected] with your shops name and phone number.
Step 1 – MechanicNet has a collection of images to meet most of your needs. Call us and we’ll provide you the best image available. Custom front images can be created for a small graphics fee. If you like, we can provide you the specifications and you can submit your own image.
Step 2 – Our graphics team will create the layout for the back of your postcard including an effective mes-sage for the announcement. They’ll send you a proof to review. If there are any changes that you need to make, we work on the update and send you a new version.
Step 3 – Your promotion coordinator will work with you in to create a customer mailing list that targets your customers who match the parameters that you are seeking assuring the highest possible response.
Step 4 - The list is then uploaded to your Weekly Communication Review Tool allowing you to further edit the list in order to skip any cards you do not wish to go out. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are available for you to review. We mail out postcards on Thursday.
Finally, we want to ensure we mail out quality cards which meets your requirements. Remember to sched-ule between two and three weeks to complete this entire process. Working together we can get the results you want.
Hello my name is La Ne’ Scott. Many of you have worked with me during the training stage when starting the MechanicNet program or attended the Advanced Training Series. In training I hear many common questions and themes from customers who want to make the most of our program. I am excited to share my experience and help answer those questions and give tips to making the most of the MechanicNet services. Here’s a question that’s always asked during training:
Dear La Ne’,
I just started the program, how do I change the verbiage on my website?
- Brand New in Texas
Dear Brand New,
Changing the verbiage on your MechanicNet website is simple because we do it for you. Email your request to [email protected] and within five business days your request will be complete. You may change the verbiage on the Home, About Us and Expertise pages. You can also add photos too. You can email any request related to changes on the program, whether changes to your website or changing your postcard image. Always remember to include your shop name and phone number to ensure accuracy. When writing for your website use these tips to get your customers attention.
First, be concise. As your customers log on to your website they already have a purpose in mind, which could be anything from scheduling an appointment to looking at their service history. Whatever your message is keep it simple, this way your customers will feel free to read your message.
Second, be informative and personal. Tell your customers about the services you provide and what makes it spe-cial. Provide information about you and your shop that creates interest. Remember, people buy from people.
Third, be visual. Great pictures are worth a thousand words.
Finally, keep your website updated. Make sure your coupons and pictures are current. Always take time out to review your website at least twice a year, and make changes to grab your customer’s attention and keep them coming back.
7150 Koll Center Parkway, Suite 200 Pleasanton, California 94566 877-632-4638
$1.00 US$1.10 CANPer cardLargeSize 8” x 5”
10% Off Your Next Service with this card
$15 Off Your Next Service with this card
Top Spending customers who have been in within the past: (Please check one)
send no more than cards
Other
None
Step 1: Choose an offer for your postcards:
Step 2: Choose Target:
Message:
1 year 2 year
Classic
Communicate with your best customers
Turn Your New Customers Into Loyal Customers
Bring Back Customers You Haven’t Seen In Awhile
Create your own (Combine as many as you’d like)
Please check one:
enter quantity
First time customers who:New
Customers
We Miss You
Custom
visited only once in last year
All my customers
Only customers who have been to my shop in the last 12 months or _________months.
Only customers who have spent at least $
Customers with zip/postal code:______________________________________________
visited once in past 2 years
Use MechanicNet Group recommended: Customers who visited in the past 24 months but haven’t seen in last 12 months.
Specify period:Customers who visited in the past months but haven’t seen in last months.
Step 3: Expiration Date of Promotion:_______________ Include this promotion on my website
You will receive a courtesy call reminding you to do a list review using your Weekly Review Tool the week of March 3rd, 2009
Shop Name
Fax Number
Contact Name
Phone
Signature
Email
Date
United States Canada
Let your car shine from the inside out. Schedule a Spring maintenance service today.
Simply complete this form and fax to 925-931-1987. For assistance please call 877-632-4638. Upon receipt, we’ll call you within 24hrs. Please call us if you do not receive a confirmation call.
(Note: this promotion may not be available for all programs)
