Use ASA PR Kit to Get the Word Out!

Posted 12/10/2012

If you want your shop to stand out among your competitors in 2013 and get your name out in your community as the place to get a car serviced or repaired, then be sure to take advantage of ASA’s PR Kit. With the PR Kit, ASA has done all of the hard work for you!

This handy resource helps members promote their business as well as their affiliation with ASA. The kit contains an array of pre-written press releases, photography tips, print- and Web-based advertising samples and suggestions, and an audio clip ready for use on members’ websites.

All items in ASA’s PR Kit are available to members as downloadable Microsoft Word documents in the Members Only section of the ASA website (www.ASAshop.org). ASA members may access this section by logging in with their firstnamelastname (no space) as the user ID and their six-digit member number as the password. Your membership number is on your AutoInc. mailing label.

18 Press Release Samples

Designed to be a dynamic collection of tools and tips for ASA members, the PR kit can help members in their business communication efforts. The core of the kit is comprised of pre-written, customizable press releases for all occasions. The kit currently includes the following press release templates:

• Anniversary Date
• Award/Honor/Certification Recipient
• Celebrate Customer Count (millionth, etc.)
• Customer Appreciation Day
• Contest/Prize
• Environmental Program
• Green Shop Status
• New Membership in ASA
• New Staff Announcement
• New Hours of Operation
• New Location (move or expansion)
• New Ownership
• New Ownership (generational)
• New Service Offered
• New Specialty Equipment
• Special Promotional Offer
• Sponsorship/Community Involvement
• Web/Online Scheduling

How Can You Use These PR Tools?

It’s Easy! Follow These 3 Simple Steps:

Step 1: First, identify your shop’s news. Are you opening a new location? Are you celebrating an anniversary? Have you just joined ASA? Those are all reasons to send a press release and gain recognition for your shop.

Step 2: Download the appropriate press release file of your news from the Members Only section of the ASA website and go through the release to insert your own information. Once you’re finished, don’t forget to proofread it carefully. You may want to have someone else in your shop proofread it, too.

Step 3: Now you’re ready to tell the world the exciting news about your shop! Be sure to get the right contact information for your local media outlets and send your release (by email or fax). If you don’t already have that information, you can go to the bottom of the ASA’s TakingTheHill.com legislative website. Click on “Find Local Media” in the left-hand column of your menu. You can enter your ZIP code(s) to find a listing of several media sources. (The Capwiz service we use asks that you only use this function to distribute up to five messages at a time ... OR, you can click on the media outlets you have an interest in and simply gather the email addresses, then send them as you see fit using your own email system.) Then follow up with those outlets to make sure they got it and whether they will be able to use it. With minimal effort and follow-up, you can gain great recognition for your shop!