Insta Tip: Celebrating anniversary dates during pandemic

So your outdoor power equipment dealership has marked its 45^th anniversary smack dab in the middle of a pandemic. That open house you were planning was wiped off the boards weeks ago, but you can still let your customers know that you are in a celebratory mood.

Belgrade Sales & Service, Inc., in Belgrade, Montana, was due to celebrate its 45^th anniversary with an open house. Instead, the shop turned to Instagram with a photo of a slew of in-stock Toro mowers that are awaiting customers with the following post:

View this post on Instagram

Today was supposed to be the day. Our Annual Open House. The day we turned 45 Years young as a 3rd generation business. Today was about our customers, our people…the people that make it all possible day in and day out. But just because we can’t celebrate by throwing a big bash – doesn’t mean we aren’t thankful! So Thanks To All Of You! We hope everyone is well and healthy and we are so looking forward sharing a laugh and shaking hands when this tough time is behind us. In the meantime, we’re still here for you with curb side service. It’s a bit of a different process, but with a little patients and communication we’ve been making it all happen in a way that’s extremely safe for you and our team. We got this! 👍🏻 #belgradesales

A post shared by Belgrade Sales & Service, Inc (@belgradesales) on Apr 25, 2020 at 7:55am PDT

The dealership has 394 followers, 32 of whom liked the post.

Now in its third generation of family ownership, the dealership promotes products from Ariens, Billy Goat, Echo, Exmark, Gravely, Honda Power Equipment, Jonsered, Makita, Scag Power Equipment, Shindaiwa, Toro, Walker, Briggs, Honda Engines, Kawasaki Engines and Kohler.

Is your dealership celebrating a milestone that has been forced to pivot due to the coronavirus? Do you have a social media plan in store to help stay top of mind for your customers when they are ready to buy?

OPE Magazine Instagram Tips for 2020

Paul’s Lawn and Garden, Massillon, Ohio — 100 followers

Lone Star Mower, Burleson, Texas — 2,611 followers

Giles Outdoor Power Equipment, Perry, Georgia — 429 followers

Nord Outdoor Power, Bloomington, Illinois — 424 followers

The Boat Guy, Bourne, Massachusetts — 629 followers

LSM Outdoor Power, Keller, Texas — 148 followers

Cutters Outdoor Power Equipment, Lake Charles, Louisiana — 326 followers

Marietta Outdoor Power, Marietta, Ohio — 105 followers

Carl’s Mower and Saw, Ferndale, Washington — 204 followers

Duff’s Outdoor Power on Main St., Wallace, North Carolina — 160 followers

Belgrade Sales & Service, Inc., Belgrade, Montana — 394 followers

— Dave McMahon, editor, dmcmahon at epgmediallc.com