Score Big with Your Marketing During March Madness

March Madness is more than just basketball; it's a national phenomenon that turns the month of March into a celebration of hoops, heart, and hustle. And guess what? It’s also a fantastic time for automotive dealerships to drive their marketing full-court press.

While the Super Bowl offers a blitz of exposure, it’s nothing compared to the marathon of opportunities that March Madness brings. This tournament isn’t just a few hours of prime time; it’s an ongoing saga of triumphs, upsets, and Cinderella stories that captures hearts and imaginations.

Plus the ratings are pretty good too. Last year broke records!

Worried about being drowned out by the big-name sponsors? Don’t be. March Madness is a playground for creative, localized marketing that speaks directly to your community's spirit. It’s your chance to stand out, not just as a dealership, but as a local enthusiast and supporter.

Here are a few examples that we've seen over the past few years:

1. Bracket Challenges: Host a dealership-wide or community-wide March Madness bracket challenge with prizes for the top brackets. Prizes could include maintenance packages, discounts on services, or even a weekend test drive in a premium model. Use your website and social media platforms to promote participation.
2. March Madness Sales Event: Align sales promotions with the tournament's schedule, offering special discounts or incentives that "advance" as the tournament progresses. For example, offer different deals for the Sweet 16, Elite Eight, Final Four, and Championship game days.
3. Social Media Contests: Encourage engagement on your social media channels with basketball-themed contests. For example, ask followers to post photos in their favorite team’s gear beside one of your vehicles, using a specific hashtag. Reward the best photos with dealership swag or service coupons.
4. Themed Showroom Decorations: Decorate your showroom with a basketball theme to draw in foot traffic. Consider setting up a mini basketball hoop for customers to shoot hoops for additional discounts or freebies with their purchases.
5. Community Viewing Parties: If space allows, host viewing parties for key March Madness games in your dealership's lot or showroom, complete with snacks and beverages. Use this as an opportunity to showcase your vehicles and offer exclusive event-based promotions.
6. Sponsor Local Teams or Viewing Events: Partner with local bars or community centers hosting March Madness viewing parties by sponsoring the event. Provide branded merchandise or even a display vehicle at the event site for added visibility.
7. Email Marketing with a Twist: Send out an email marketing campaign with a basketball twist, updating subscribers on both the tournament progress and your dealership’s March Madness promotions. Include interactive elements like polls to guess the winners of upcoming games.
8. Leverage Local Talent: If any local players are participating in the tournament, use your platforms to support them. This could be a feature on your blog, social media shoutouts, or even hosting a meet-and-greet, tying their local celebrity status back to your dealership.

To really slam dunk your marketing this March, lean on AET Automotive's Marketing Suite. It’s your all-star tool for creating fast, impactful ads that resonate with the March Madness vibe. Think targeted promotions, thematic social media campaigns, and inventory highlights that keep your dealership front and center all tournament long and beyond.