October 10, 2023 | Julie Graff

Social media can be a great way to raise awareness for your brand, engage your audience and spread the word about promotions. However, maintaining a regular presence on social media can be a challenge. It takes time to do it right, and you want to focus on quality content that will get engagement rather than simply filling up your content calendar.

Fortunately, each season of the year provides different opportunities for car wash operators to deploy creative social media marketing campaigns. From major national holidays to wacky daily observances, there are plenty of ways to grab the attention of drivers in your area. Hopefully, this post will inspire you to create your own unique campaigns.

General Social Media Marketing Tips

As you think about social media marketing for the coming year, here are some things to keep in mind:

• The key to delivering successful car wash social media marketing campaigns is planning. Put together a social media marketing planner or schedule your posts ahead using a scheduling tool.
• Remember, every car wash has creative posts and promotions for Black Friday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc. But there are a number of other holidays and events throughout the year that you can take advantage of.
• Bring social media marketing campaigns to life with on-site activities. For example, is one of your local sports teams doing well? Have your staff dress up in team colors or decorate your wash.
• Put a creative spin on promotions by using the season or holidays to highlight them.
• Remember, organic social media is only part of the puzzle. Consider incorporating paid social media ads into your larger promotions for a bigger impact.

Winter

Otherwise known as “Road Salt Season” in some areas, this can be prime car washing time. It's a great time to do educational posts reminding customers of why it's important to get that salt off their vehicle surfaces!

But you don't want them to wash their cars. You want them to wash WITH YOU. Brand awareness marketing can be a great way to tout your wash’s unique benefits and features. Plus, depending on your unique seasonality, this may be an ideal time to promote memberships.

Even if you’re in a region of eternal summer, there are plenty of marketing opportunities with the holidays. It’s a good time to remind customers that gift cards and wash bundles make great gifts!

Key holidays/events:

Spring

As the road salt gives way to pollen and bugs, you should still be washing a significant amount of cars in the spring. Use your social media channels, blog and on-site signage to educate customers on the importance of frequent washing to prevent damage from these factors.

In April, Earth Day provides an opportunity for you to tout your environmental friendliness. This is also another prime gift-giving time with Mother’s Day in May.

Key holidays/events:

Summer

While everyone's having fun in the sun, you can have fun with your social media. Independence Day specfically is a great time for events you can share on social media, such as free hotdogs from the barbeque. And Father’s Day offers another opportunity to boost gift certificate sales. 

With kids returning to school in late August, you could partner with schools and organizations to hold fundraisers. Not only will you get new people to try your wash for the first time, you'll also cultivate goodwill within your community.

Key holidays/events:

Fall

Fall can be a slower season for many car wash regions, but the sap and falling leaves that can muck up cars are an opportunity to remind your customers to take care of their vehicles all year.

This is another good chance to educate your customers, as Northeast-Ohio based Rainforest Car Wash did on their Facebook page: