President Biden announced recently that a majority of Americans should have access to a COVID-19 vaccination by as early as May 1, allaying many people’s fears of another summer of forced staycations and broken plans. Since it’s looking more like this summer’s travel season will look a little more normal, now is the time to start developing content that keeps certain things in the front of travelers’ minds.
This opens up an opportunity for automotive marketers and shop owners who use blogging to generate revenue. It’s the perfect time to either establish a blog for road travelers or steer the focus of your automotive blogging efforts in the direction of travel. Today, I want to suggest a few topic areas that have the potential to carry your blog through the summer and fall travel seasons. If you’re really stuck on what subjects to include, this should help quite a bit. If you’re stumped on the content creation aspect, I have a solution for that, too. Just stay with me until the end of this post.
Vehicle Readiness
People seem to think their cars are always just going to be there, ready to take them where they want to go… until something goes wrong. A family’s first real vacation in two years simply isn’t the time for anything bad to happen.
Most motorists are largely unaware of the number of maintenance considerations with their vehicles, especially when planning a trip that will take them far from home and unfamiliar surroundings. They changed the oil but ignored the other maintenance recommendations made by the dealer or shop they use.
Tires, belts, hoses, fluid levels… these things matter. Try integrating as much information as possible about vehicle readiness into your blog content and emphasize the importance of having a car in optimal condition for a long ride.
People will be more likely to listen to a third-party source about these things than they ever will be looking at a list of maintenance options while standing in a garage or service center. In those moments, the trust level over the necessity of certain services is running low. Get them thinking about those details before booking a maintenance appointment, and the need for these services is likely to become clearer in the mind of the reader.
Popular Destinations
So how does destination blogging fit into a marketing strategy centered on cars? Well, there are a number of content areas you can tap with this one.
For starters, is your shop part of a chain? Are there multiple locations that intersect major tourist areas? If so, integrate that information into your blog. Blog about destinations where your service centers have presence. Make people feel secure about traveling longer distances by emphasizing that your company has their back while they travel. Help is always close and accessible.
Staying Off the Beaten Path
You can also earn people’s trust by steering their travel plans in the direction of low-risk destinations that will provide a good time without the worry of massive crowds. We aren’t out of the woods with COVID just yet, and many people are still nervous about going places and interacting with people they don’t know.
As a branch of your destination blogging efforts, you might want to research a few of those roads less-traveled and let people know that fun and safety can be achieved at the same time. Besides, family vacations are supposed to be about connecting as a family, so talk about destinations and activities conducive to that.
Also, keep in mind that telling people to stay off the beaten path can create a feeling of isolation, so be sure to keep the suggestions in the previous section in mind. Research byways and secluded destinations that also provide people with the automotive services they need – whether planned or unplanned – along the way.
Anticipating Your Vehicle’s Needs While on the Road
Let’s face it: stuff happens. Moreover, the bad stuff seems to happen at very inopportune times, like when you’re trying to enjoy your first vacation in two years. Some problems will require a tow truck, while others may just require a little pre-planning.
For mechanics and marketers alike, consider becoming affiliates for auto parts and accessories distribution services if you aren’t already. This is a very good way to generate revenue, especially among travelers and DIY-minded readers. You can then mention in your blog the importance of keeping things like flat-fix kits, emergency supplies, replacement bulbs, and even replacement parts like belts and hoses on hand. At that point, use your affiliate links to point to your product offerings and provide a clear call to action to click through to buy.
Putting It All Together
While I think I gave you quite a bit to go on with the above examples, I also understand that time and expertise with developing marketing copy can be a huge obstacle. This is why services like ours exist.
At BeezContent, we work with a talented team of both in-house and freelance copywriters, and we can match writers with the proper expertise to any of the above content areas and much, much more. I would like to invite you to reach out to us today and start organizing your summer blogging schedule, as well as discuss some of the other areas of support content you might be missing out on using to your advantage.
