Car shows are a brilliant way to spend a sunny weekend. Seeing legendary classics and modern hot rods glinting in the sun is sure to give any gear head goosebumps. But if you’re organizing a car show, how do you market your event? And how do you get more people to show up?
In this article, we’ll examine 7 ways to successfully market your car show. These tips range from making the most of social media to working with local businesses, car clubs, and media outlets to raise awareness for your event. We’ll also explain how to use car show listing websites like carcruisefinder.com to increase your exposure.
Whether your event centers around one iconic brand or celebrates the creations of the local hot rod or custom car scene, these tips will help get people through the gates.
Here are 7 killer tips for marketing your car show.
1. Social Media Is Your Best Friend
These days, if you want to stage any kind of event, you need to take advantage of social media. In 2020, over 220 million Americans were estimated to have a social media account – that’s more than 80% of the population. This means that social media is an excellent way of getting people interested in your car show.
If you’re organizing a car show, create a specific profile for your events, such as a Facebook or Instagram page. This page acts as an online hub for your car show. Use this to clearly list the essential information about your event.
When people start following your page, interact with them. Chances are that they’ve followed your page because they’re die-hard car enthusiasts, so ask them about their favorite cars! Once you’ve established a bit of a rapport with them, ask them to share your page to raise more awareness.
Crafting a social media presence for your event also allows people to interact with you and ask questions about your car show. You could also set up a dedicated Facebook Event for your show. This allows people to confirm their attendance digitally, or at least say that they’re interested in going.
2. Create A Website
In addition to establishing a social media presence, it’s worth crafting a dedicated website as well. There are a few cheap or free ways to do this, such as using website builders like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress. Having a central website provides visitors with the key information about your event in one accessible place.
While marketing your event on social media, always include your website link. It’s worth making sure that your website works well on both computers and mobile devices too. If done well, your website should show up quickly when people search for “car shows in X area”.
3. Work With Your Local Chamber Of Commerce
Across America, each urban area is served by its own Chamber of Commerce, also known as a Board of Trade. These organizations are designed to be a network for local businesses and events.
The Chamber can help you market your event to local people by finding you a slot in local newspapers or on the official website for your nearest city. They could also help you list your car show in the “Calendar of Events” in local papers.
The US Chamber of Commerce’s main website has a comprehensive national directory that helps put you in touch with your nearest local Chamber of Commerce.
4. Work With Local Businesses
A variety of automotive businesses exist across America. These range from new and used car dealerships to garages and workshops. You might even have custom car or hot rod workshops nearby. Working with these local businesses can help generate exposure for your car show.
This partnership can range from requesting to place a flyer in their window to asking them to sponsor your event. This can be especially helpful if you’re running an event dedicated to a specific marque. For example, if your event focuses on classic Ford cars, your local Ford dealership might be willing to sponsor the show.
5. Work With Local Car Clubs
Another valuable resource for marketing your car show is the local car clubs in your area. These organizations are typically run by passionate car enthusiasts. Some clubs are dedicated to a specific marque like Chevrolet or Ford, while others might specialize in specific car categories such as hot rods.
Working with local car clubs can be the lifeblood of your car show. How about offering these clubs a plot where they can display their member’s cars? In this scenario, everybody wins. You get more cars to show off at your event, while the car club gets a chance to increase their own exposure.
6. Speak With Local Automotive Media
To maximize the exposure for your car show, it’s also worth engaging with the local automotive media. Depending on your area, there might be local publications geared towards car enthusiasts. These could be either print or online publications.
In the build-up to your show, find these media outlets and ask if they would consider writing an article or post about your event. During an interview, give them the important details of the event, which cars will be on show, and why you’re holding the event.
This is a great way of getting the local automotive community to support your car show.
7. Car Show Listing Websites
There’s another untapped online resource that can help advertise your automotive event – dedicated car show listing websites like carcruisefinder.com. These online directories make it easy to reach a larger number of car enthusiasts in your local area.
All you need to do is provide these websites with a few details about your event. They will then create an online listing for you. When local or traveling car enthusiasts browse the directories for your local area, your car event will show up. This is one of the easiest and most straightforward marketing tools at your disposal, so give it a go!
Get Out There & Have Fun
When you’re passionate about something, discussing it with other enthusiasts can really fire you up and remind you why you fell in love with it in the first place.
That’s why car shows are so great! These extremely popular events create a friendly, relaxed atmosphere for car lovers and gear heads to connect and interact – all while gazing at a lineup of jaw-dropping cars.
So what are you waiting for? Get your car show up and running by following the 7 tips in this article and start having fun with fellow car enthusiasts today!