•  Market your event. Cause-related marketing is an effective way to generate additional interest in your event. The way it works is that you partner with a non-profit charitable organization. It’s recommended that you select an organization that is firmly established in your community with active grassroots support from its members. The organization would become a beneficiary, in some manner, of your event. It may have a booth at the event or you may decide to accept donations on behalf of the organization. Your event benefits by the added publicity provided by your partner. Motorists appreciate the event as a great service to the community’s driving public and most of them will be willing to give a donation to the charitable organization you’ve chosen.

•  Promote your event through your local newspaper or radio station. Create a buzz about your event through your local newspaper by using press releases, display advertising, classified advertising, piggyback ads, inserts, car care supplements and community calendars. The radio is a good way to help get the word out either through public service announcements or advertisements. Radio stations may also be willing to interview you or do a remote broadcast from your event. Remember that an overwhelming number of motorists attend car care events on the spur of the moment. They sometimes make their decision to attend while in their cars, making radio a great medium for this type of event.

•  Signage. Start promoting your event early by hanging signs within your business. Signs and "Be Car Care Aware" logos are also available on the Car Care Council’s Web site.

•  Jazz up your event. A vehicle check-up event provides motorists with a free opportunity to have key safety items on their car looked at by professional technicians. But it shouldn’t be all work and no play. There are fun, entertaining and educational activities that can be easily added to any event to make it a festive, memorable experience for motorists. A few favorite activities include: serving food and beverages; providing balloons and face painting for children; showing proper installation for child safety seats; organizing a car wash, etc.

For more information on March Tips, download the Car Care Months Event Planner.