The coronavirus continues to impact everyone – in widely varying degrees. As the situation plays out in the next weeks and months, it’s more important than ever to stay connected with your customers.

One simple way to do that is to take advantage of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software tools to send text or email messages to your customers. Topics to consider for messages to your customers might include:

• Letting them know you’re open, with shop hours
• Changes you’ve implemented to protect customers and staff
• Specials you’re offering to help your customers maintain their vehicles
• Reminders to take care of maintenance and deferred services
• Genuine concern for your customers’ well being and how you can help

Today’s technology tools and software systems make it fast and easy to address all these communications and more. When used within a shop management system like ALLDATA Manage® online, its built-in CRM tools enable you to:

• Text individual customers directly from a work order
• Send group emails and text messages to your entire customer base
• Create and send special messages and reminders to specific customer groups

As examples, we’ve created email messages based on ideas we’ve heard from shops across the country that are implementing positive changes to keep the doors open.

“We’re Open”

Dear [TITLE] [LASTNAME],

We’re open and here to take care of all your [MAKE] [MODEL] needs. We’re taking extra safety precautions and will return your vehicle fully sanitized.

Hours: 8AM – 5PM, Mon.-Sat.

Call (800) 697-2533 to schedule an appointment today.

Be well and stay safe.

John’s Automotive

“Safe Vehicle Service”

Dear [FNAME],

If you’re hesitant about bringing in your family vehicle for service, we’re here to help! We’ll pick up your vehicle and return it after servicing, completely clean and sanitized. We can handle all payment transactions virtually, too.

Call (800) 697-2533 to schedule an appointment today.

Be well and stay safe.

John’s Automotive

“Deferred Work”

Dear [TITLE] [LASTNAME],

With everyone driving less, now is the perfect time to take care of the service we recommended for your [MAKE] [MODEL] during your last visit: [DEFERRED WORK] 

Hours: 8AM – 5PM, M-F

Call (800) 697-2533 to schedule an appointment today.

Be well and stay safe.

John’s Automotive

Other customer communications you can create include welcome messages, work has started on your vehicle, and vehicle is ready. Investing a little time now to learn and implement these CRM techniques will pay off big time in customer satisfaction, enhanced efficiencies, and improved profitability.

Watch this 3-minute video to see ALLDATA Manage Online’s CRM tool in action.

Want to see how ALLDATA can improve tech efficiency? Check out our suite of products, each designed to contribute to both shop efficiency and productivity.

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