Chapter 8: All the Templates (Subscribers Only)
Note from Andrei:
Hi there! Thank you so much for subscribing. I’ve worked hard on the Automotive BDC Manifesto, and I am excited to give you a little glimpse of it.
This chapter is meant to share with you the most effective email templates that I’ve developed (and acquired) over the last 6+ years. Check it out, enjoy, and stay in touch!
Chapter 8 of The Automotive BDC Manifesto
Your efficiency as an Internet/BDC representative is going to be dictated by your ability to use automated tools well. You need to have a variety of templates, an autoresponder for web leads, and phone scripts for specific situations.
This chapter centers around email templates. All of the email templates I’ve ever created will be in this chapter (except for the seven days of unqualified follow up from Chapter 6!)
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Alternate First Response (Specific Inventory Chosen)
SUBJECT: STOCK NUMBER @ DEALERSHIP NAME – SALESPERSON NAME
Dear NAME,
Not only is this MODEL available to be seen today, but we also have special internet pricing for this unit. If you can come by in the next 72 hours, the price for this vehicle will be lowered to LOWERED PRICE.
I have some availability today at HOUR:15pm and HOUR:45pm, would either of those times work for you?
My name is NAME, and I have been working at DEALER NAME for YEARS. Here is a link to my Yelp reviews, where you can get a feeling for my level of customer service.
Thanks,
NAME
Appointment Confirmation
SUBJECT: Appointment Confirmation @ TIME DATE
Dear NAME,
Looking forward to our appointment for TIME and DATE at DEALERSHIP NAME.
To save you time, here is our street address:
STREET ADDRESS WITH GOOGLE MAP URL LINK
If you want to confirm or reschedule, please respond to this email or text me at SALESPERSON PHONE.
This photo below is what I look like when you come in:
SMALL PICTURE OF SALESPERSON
Thanks!
I like to include a small picture of the salesperson that will be helping the customer in the email. Generally, customers will have this email pulled up when they walk into the dealer, so that photo will help them find the right person!
Birthday
SUBJECT: quick note
Hi NAME,
Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Hope all is well.
Thx,
NAME
Every year when my birthday comes around, I get a bunch of crappy automated birthday greetings. I always receive one that looks handwritten, and it’s from the guy my Dad uses at Edward Jones. If it weren’t for the fact that he sends the same email every year, I really would have thought he was typing it myself.
Lease End
An advanced strategy, if you handle the lease portfolio in your BDC, would be to get a list of the birthdays for the customers who have leases expiring that year and send them the birthday email like this:
SUBJECT: quick note and a gift
Hi NAME,
Just wanted to wish you a happy birthday. Hope all is well. Since it’s your birthday, I thought I’d offer to get you a free car wash today if you want to drop by.
-NAME
Lease End Manager
SUBJECT: I am your Lease End manager
Hi NAME,
My name is NAME, and I will be your Lease End Manager for your current BRAND. As you move towards your lease end date, I will be able to answer any questions you have. If you are interested in leasing a new car, buying out your current vehicle or anything else I will be your contact here.
You may be eligible to get out of your current MODEL early. Are there any new cars that interest you? Let me know if so- I can get you quotes using our BRAND Loyalty program!
Thanks,
NAME
If you are in charge of the lease end portfolio, this template will come in handy. Often customers are clueless on what to do for their lease end. This email is a friendly way to start the conversation.
Lease End – Waiving Payments
SUBJECT: Payment Waiver on your lease
Hi NAME,
Since you currently have X payments left on your MAKE MODEL, you can walk away from those payments and get into a new Audi sedan today!
That means you can take advantage of our vast specials we have running for our SALES EVENT without having to pay the last few payments on your lease!
Please contact us for more details! Some terms and conditions apply that we need to share with you.
Thanks,
NAME
This offer only works if you have this type of program running with your manufacturer, but if you do this type of email is very enticing for customers. People love getting out of leases early, and the early you get them out the less likely they will have cross shopped.
Lost Business
SUBJECT: pending removal
Hi NAME
I understand that we recently lost your business to another dealership. For my records could you let me know what dealership won your business (and why)?
We will be marking your pending sales event to “lost.”
Thanks!
NAME
In the “Buy or Die” culture of sales, many people ignore the opportunity to learn from their mistakes. I whole heartily recommend leaning into your lost sales. You can learn way more from your failures than your successes.
When customers share with you the dealer they purchased from, you should secret shop that dealership that day! Get in their and secret shop! Learn what they do better than you and STEAL IT! The best performers are constantly scoping their competition.
Voicemail
SUBJECT: left voicemail
Hi NAME,
Just left you a voicemail, looking forward to chatting soon. If you prefer email, respond to this message!
Thanks,
NAME
I find that utilizing a variety of contact methods at the start of a sales event is a very effective way to find out what method the customer wants to use to communicate.
When a customer provides an email and phone number, I like to start with a phone call. When I often end up leaving a voicemail, I always try and send an accompanying email.
That way, when the customer sees the missed call and voicemail, they will also see the email at the same time.
Long-Term Untouched
SUBJECT: never heard a whisper
Hi NAME,
I hope this email finds you well! This is SALESPERSON from DEALER. I would like to know if you were still in the market for an Audi?
It would be my pleasure to assist in narrowing down your ideal MAKE and ensuring your purchase, or lease experience is not only efficient but also a great experience!
Thanks,
NAME “Never Giving Up” LAST NAME
I have a variety of emails like this that are set up to email out to customers that submitted internet leads but never made contact. I have these all automated in the background.
I suggest merely setting these up to send at certain “days since lead.” I have ours set up for ten days, 15 days, 20 days, and 30 days. After the 30 day mark, they receive an automated email every ten days forever (until they unsubscribe.)
It still baffles me, but I have had multiple customers buy 60-100 days after putting in a web lead. These customers never responded, never made contact, but one day walks in and asks for the BDC representative by name. Long-term emails are manageable and worth it!
Cheapest
SUBJECT: we are the cheapest
Hi NAME,
Here at DEALERSHIP, we pride ourselves on being the absolute CHEAPEST place to buy a BRAND.
Our competition doesn’t want you to know that. We pride ourselves on raw discount and the best lease terms.
We know you want the best deal. You found it. Let us know when you can come in.
-NAME
This email gets me in trouble (with management), but it’s surprisingly successful with some groups of “super shopper” customers. The fact is, even though this email touts that “we are the cheapest” and brings up “raw discount” the deals we make because of this email are no better or worse than the average.
The value of this email is that it’s different. No other dealer wants to send this email, because it feels self-defeating. The fact is, regardless of what you say in this email, the manager will decide what deals to take. Your job is to get the customers into the store.
I don’t suggest sending this email right away, but if you get a feeling that a customer only cares about price… it might be worth a shot!
Month Close
Subject: The End is here (of the month)
Hi NAME,
As the month draws to a close DEALERSHIP is scrambling to meet its quota and close the last few deals.
If you are interested in closing on a MODEL before months-end, please let me know- I have the leeway to be very aggressive and win your business!
For best service, please contact me with a time that you would be able to either come into the dealership or speak on the phone.
-NAME
A great email to bulk-send in the last five days of the month.
Long-Term Unqualified Alternate
Subject: Poem
Hi NAME,
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I can’t sell you a car,
If I never speak to you…
Let me know if you are still in the market for a MODEL that you inquired online on. If not let us know and we will remove you from follow up.
Thanks,
NAME
I love this type of follow-up, and I’ve had success when using this on long-term unqualified web leads.
