If you own or manage an auto repair shop, you know how important it is to stay connected with your customers. Whether it’s reminding them about routine maintenance, promoting a seasonal service special, or simply saying thanks after a visit, communication drives business. And when it comes to cutting through the noise, nothing beats text messaging. 

With an open rate of nearly 98%, texts are one of the most effective ways to communicate with customers. 

But here’s the key: to make text marketing work, you need a high-quality list of customers who’ve opted-in to hear from you. Without that, even the best promos won’t move the needle.

KUKUI makes it easy to grow and manage your opt-in list, while creating effective, personalized campaigns that drive results. Whether it’s through your website, social media, or in-shop promotions, KUKUI has the tools you need to build a loyal subscriber base and keep customers engaged.

Grow Your List, Drive in More Business

Growing your text marketing opt-in list doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few simple, yet powerful strategies, you can start collecting opt-ins and building a valuable customer database. Here are some proven methods that will help you grow your list quickly and effectively:

1. KUKUI Website Strategies

Your KUKUI website can be equipped with a few key features that encourage opt-ins without disrupting the customer experience.

• Appointment Form: KUKUI adds a simple checkbox option to your appointment scheduler/form, making it seamless for customers to subscribe while booking their next service.
• Website Pop-Up: A well-timed website pop-up can grab visitors’ attention and offer them a compelling reason to subscribe, encouraging your customers to opt-in right away without interrupting their browsing experience.
• Subscribe Button: Add a "Subscribe" button on your KUKUI website that directs customers to opt-in. This simple, visible option makes it easy for visitors to join your list and start receiving exclusive offers and updates right away.
• Dedicated Opt-In Page: All KUKUI customers using our text messaging services are provided a dedicated opt-in page for their website. This page can outline the benefits of receiving text message updates, making it easy for visitors to sign up and start getting exclusive deals and service reminders.

2. QR Codes

Utilizing QR codes can make it easy for customers to opt-in to text marketing. By placing QR codes on service receipts, in-store signage, or promotional materials, customers can scan the code with their phone and quickly sign up for exclusive deals, appointment reminders, or special offers. 

3. Keywords

Customers can easily opt-in to your text marketing by sending a keyword to your shop’s dedicated phone numbers. Simply promote a keyword like "JOIN" or "SPECIALS" through QR codes, in-store signage, social media, or email campaigns, and customers can text it to sign up instantly. 

KUKUI makes setting this up a breeze—allowing you to customize keywords and set up automated responses to ensure your customers are seamlessly added to your text marketing opt-in list. This quick and straightforward process helps you grow your list effortlessly while offering maximum convenience for your customers.

4. Exclusive Deals

Offering exclusive deals is a powerful way to encourage customers to opt-in to your text marketing. When you provide discounts or special offers that are only available to your text subscribers, you create an incentive for people to opt-in. For example, offering a 10% discount on their next service or a $15-off birthday special can motivate customers to subscribe. These kinds of offers make customers feel valued and provide them with immediate benefits, increasing the likelihood that they’ll sign up for your text marketing.

5. Instant Service Discounts

Encourage customers to opt-in to your text marketing by offering a sign-up bonus when finalizing their order. Offer a 10% discount on today’s service or a free gift in exchange for their subscription. This instant reward makes it easy for customers to see the value of opting in right then and there. Offering a tangible benefit—like a $10 discount—right before they pay can be more effective than a future-use coupon because it gives customers an immediate reason to sign up while they're already engaged with your business. To make it even easier, you can combine this strategy with your keywords and QR codes. 

6. Convert Your Existing Followers

Your existing social media presence and email list can serve as powerful tools for boosting text marketing opt-ins. If customers are already engaging with your brand online, converting them to text marketing subscribers becomes much easier. Add a link to your social media bio pointing to your KUKUI website’s dedicated opt-in page, making it easy for followers to join. You can also offer a unique incentive to your existing email subscribers, such as exclusive text-only discounts, to encourage them to sign up for both communication channels and maximize engagement.

Set Expectations, Build Trust

If you want to keep your list strong and engaged, it’s important to set expectations. Tell your customers what kind of messages you’ll send (like appointment reminders, exclusive offers, or service alerts), how often, and how they can opt-out anytime. When customers know what to expect and see the value, they’ll stick around—and keep coming back to your shop.

Keep the Value Coming

While building your text marketing opt-in list is an important first step, keeping your subscribers engaged is essential for long-term success. Consider these strategies when texting your customers:

• Content: Make sure your messages are relevant, helpful, and valuable to your customers
• Communication: Text messages provide a great opportunity to open conversations. Encourage your customers to respond, and be prepared to answer promptly. 
• Cadence: Find the right balance—don’t overwhelm your customers, but keep your texts frequent enough to stay top of mind.

Unlock the Full Potential of Text Marketing with KUKUI

Text marketing isn’t just a way to reach your customers—it’s a powerful tool that can help you connect with them, keep them engaged, drive in more appointments, and ultimately boost your shop’s revenue.

If you need assistance getting started or optimizing your text marketing efforts, reach out to your Client Success Coordinator or KUKUI Support. We’re here to help you make the most of every customer interaction.

To see how KUKUI can help take your text marketing to the next level, schedule a demo today!