> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Marketing & Events overview

> Understand the campaigns, community, reviews, and social event workflows available from the Marketing & Events section.

## What you will accomplish

After reading this overview, you will know which part of [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing) to open for customer messages, facility events, community updates, and review requests.

Your team can use this area to:

* Plan emails, texts, social posts, and events on one calendar.
* Invite customers to in-person events with RSVP and check-in.
* Run announcement or discussion channels in the customer portal.
* Ask happy customers for Google reviews and reply when feedback arrives.
* Keep logos, flyers, and facility photos in one library for emails.

## Who this section is for

These guides are for **facility owners, managers, and front-desk staff** who send customer messages, plan open houses, run community updates, and ask for Google reviews. You do not need technical skills—only access to **Marketing & Events** in your dashboard.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Customers do not use this area**
>
> Customers see your **campaigns** in their inbox, email, or text messages. They see **social events** on RSVP pages and in the portal. They see **community channels** inside the customer app. This dashboard section is for your **staff team** to plan and send that outreach.

## When to use Marketing & Events

> [!NOTE]
>
> Use **campaigns** when many customers should receive the same message (open house invite, storage reminder, thank-you note).
>
> Use **social events** when customers need a date, time, location, RSVP, tickets, or check-in at the door.
>
> Use **community channels** when customers should see ongoing updates inside their portal.
>
> Use **reviews** when you want to request a Google review or respond to feedback after a good visit.
>
> Use **Marketing Assets** when you need a shared folder of logos, flyers, and photos before you design an email.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Marketing & Events** is for **customer outreach**—emails, texts, facility parties, portal community, and Google reviews.
>
> **[Schedule](/docs/schedule/overview.md)** is for **day-to-day work** on cars (intake, detail, pickup, service appointments).
>
> **[Events](/docs/events/overview.md)** under **Settings** is where admins **set up** those service types—not where you send a marketing blast.
>
> If you are unsure, ask: "Am I inviting customers to something, or scheduling work on a vehicle?" Invitations belong here; vehicle work belongs on Schedule.

## Before you start

* Confirm email, text messaging, social links, and Google Reviews are ready in [Settings > Communications](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/communications) before you send campaigns or review requests.
* If you plan to sell paid event tickets, confirm payment processing in [Settings > Billing](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/billing).
* Know which customers should receive outreach—use [Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts) tags and filters when you are unsure.
* Decide who on your team reviews messages before customers receive them (campaigns and event invites).

## Quick links by job

Use this table when you know the outcome you need and want to jump straight to the right page or guide.

| I need to… | Open this page | Step-by-step guide |
| - | - | - |
| See what is already scheduled this month | [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing) (Calendar tab) | This overview |
| Send an email or text to many customers | [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing) → **Create New** | [Create a campaign](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-campaign.md) |
| Finish wording, audience, and send a campaign | Your campaign detail page | [Add campaign message, audience, and publish](/docs/marketing-events/add-campaign-message-audience-and-publish.md) |
| Run an open house or Cars & Coffee with RSVP | [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing) → **Create New** → **Social Event** | [Create a social event](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-social-event.md) |
| Collect event interest or waitlist signups on a custom page | [Marketing & Events > Forms](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/forms) → **New form** | [Create and share a custom form](/docs/marketing-events/create-and-share-a-custom-form.md) |
| Read survey answers or download a spreadsheet | Your form → **Results** | [Review form responses and export](/docs/marketing-events/review-form-responses-and-export.md) |
| See who is coming before event day | Your event detail page | [Review social event RSVPs and attendees](/docs/marketing-events/review-social-event-rsvps-and-attendees.md) |
| Check guests in at the door | Event page → **Check in** | [Check in social event attendees](/docs/marketing-events/check-in-social-event-attendees.md) |
| Post ongoing updates in the customer portal | [Marketing & Events > Community](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/community) | [Manage community channels](/docs/marketing-events/manage-community-channels.md) |
| Ask one happy customer for a Google review | [Marketing & Events > Reviews](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/reviews) | [Request and manage reviews](/docs/marketing-events/request-and-manage-reviews.md) |
| See how many people visit your public website | [Marketing & Events > Website](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/website) | [Review website traffic on your public pages](/docs/marketing-events/review-website-traffic-on-your-public-pages.md) |
| Send a text, push, or social post (not email) | [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing) → **Create New** | [Create a text, push, or social campaign](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-text-push-or-social-campaign.md) |
| Put a survey on your public facility page | [Settings > Website & customer app](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/website) → **Page editor** | [Embed a custom form on your website](/docs/marketing-events/embed-a-custom-form-on-your-website.md) |
| Store logos, flyers, and photos for emails | [Marketing & Events > Marketing Assets](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/assets) | [Organize your marketing photos and files](/docs/marketing-events/organize-your-marketing-assets.md) |

## Open Marketing & Events

From the dashboard sidebar, click **Marketing & Events**. You land on the **Calendar** tab.

![Marketing and Events calendar showing a scheduled email campaign and published social event plus six tabs including Marketing Assets](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/xq8jVOhuH11Btk7G/images/marketing-events/marketing-calendar-populated-sep28.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=xq8jVOhuH11Btk7G\&q=85\&s=045432a9bc8e376dad88c972aa95c9b3)

*The Calendar tab shows upcoming campaigns and social events. The last tab, **Marketing Assets**, is your photo and file library.*

**Expected result:** You see a calendar (or list) of planned customer outreach and events. A small badge near the page title may show how many items are **scheduled** this month. Use **Create New** in the top-right corner when you are ready to add something.

![Marketing calendar showing Quick ranges buttons This week, This month, and Next month on the left side of the calendar](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/marketing-calendar-quick-ranges.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=cdb4d4ecaf7f4e97fd993dada1c5acf4)

*Use **Quick ranges** to jump to this week, this month, or next month without clicking through the calendar one day at a time.*

![Create New menu showing options to start an email campaign, text message, social post, or in-person event](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/marketing-create-new-menu-fresh.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=dec0fcba78e422a846e22e43e3f85ce8)

***Create New** is where you start campaigns and social events. Pick the type that matches what customers need to do next.*

> [!TIP]
>
> **Forms need responses before Results is useful**
>
> After you [publish a custom form](/docs/marketing-events/create-and-share-a-custom-form.md), submit one test answer yourself. Then open [Review form responses and export](/docs/marketing-events/review-form-responses-and-export.md) so you know where charts and the CSV download live before real customers respond.

## Plan your week on the calendar

The **Calendar** tab is more than a pretty month view. Use it to avoid sending two big messages on the same day and to see what is already scheduled.

**1. Scan the month**

Colored dots and labels show emails, texts, social posts, and in-person events. Click a day to focus the list below.

**Why this matters:** Customers notice when they get a storage reminder and an event invite on the same morning. Spacing messages helps each one get attention.

**2. Use Quick ranges**

On the left side of the calendar, click **This week**, **This month**, or **Next month** to jump the date range without clicking day by day.

**Why this matters:** Busy teams use quick ranges to scan what is coming soon—not only the current month on screen.

**Expected result:** The calendar and **Upcoming schedule** list both focus on the range you picked.

**3. Use channel filters**

Above **Upcoming schedule**, click filter pills such as **All**, **Social**, **Email**, **Text**, **Push**, or **Events**. The exact order may vary slightly, but every type is there. Only the type you pick stays in the list.

**Expected result:** You can answer questions like "Do we already have a text going out this Friday?" without scrolling past emails.

**4. Switch between table and card view**

Next to the filters, use the view buttons (**Table view** and **Card view**) to change how **Upcoming schedule** looks.

**Why this matters:** **Table view** is best for scanning many rows. **Card view** is easier on smaller screens.

**Expected result:** The same scheduled items appear—only the layout changes.

**5. Search the upcoming list**

Type in the search box to find a campaign or event by name.

**Expected result:** Long lists shrink to the one item you need.

**6. Open an item from the list**

Click a row in **Upcoming schedule** to open the campaign setup wizard or the social event detail page.

**Expected result:** Email, text, and push campaigns open a four-step wizard (**Design**, **Audience**, **Schedule**, **Review**). Social events open their RSVP and check-in page.

> [!NOTE]
>
> **Campaign setup wizard**
>
> When you open a **draft** email, text, or push campaign, Car Storage Software walks you through **Design → Audience → Schedule → Review**. Customers do not receive anything until you click **Start campaign** on the Review step. See [Add campaign message, audience, and publish](/docs/marketing-events/add-campaign-message-audience-and-publish.md).

> [!TIP]
>
> **Calendar vs Forms vs Community vs Reviews vs Website vs Marketing Assets**
>
> Stay on **Calendar** when you are scheduling outreach. Switch to **Forms** for custom signup pages, **Community** for ongoing portal posts, **Reviews** for Google feedback, **Website** for public-page traffic, or **Marketing Assets** when you need logos and photos—not when you are only planning an email blast.

## The six main tabs

Marketing & Events has six tabs across the top of the page. Each tab does a different job.

![Marketing and Events page showing Calendar, Forms, Community, Reviews, Website, and Marketing Assets tabs above a populated calendar](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/xq8jVOhuH11Btk7G/images/marketing-events/marketing-calendar-populated-sep28.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=xq8jVOhuH11Btk7G\&q=85\&s=045432a9bc8e376dad88c972aa95c9b3)

*Use **Calendar** to plan outreach, **Forms** for signup pages, **Community** for portal posts, **Reviews** for Google feedback, **Website** for traffic, and **Marketing Assets** for logos and photos.*

![Forms tab showing a list of custom forms with Published status badges and response counts](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/forms-list-populated-fresh.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=34bbe44751bcce0bbb24340a363fcd8c)

*The **Forms** tab lists every custom survey or signup page. Published forms accept responses; drafts stay private until you are ready to share.*

**1. Calendar**

Stay on [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing) to see what is scheduled. This is the best view when you want to avoid sending two big messages on the same day.

**2. Forms**

Open [Marketing & Events > Forms](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/forms) to build custom signup or survey pages you can share by link or QR code. Published forms appear here with a **Published** status. Use them when you need more than the standard storage registration form—for example, a lead capture page for a car show or a detail-service waitlist.

**Expected result:** You see a list of your forms with status (**Draft**, **Published**, or **Closed**), response counts, and buttons to copy the public link or edit the form.

Step-by-step: [Create and share a custom form](/docs/marketing-events/create-and-share-a-custom-form.md) and [Review form responses and export](/docs/marketing-events/review-form-responses-and-export.md).

**3. Community**

Open [Marketing & Events > Community](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/community) to create channels such as **Announcements**, **Event Updates**, or member discussion. A number badge on this tab means unread messages are waiting in one or more channels.

**4. Reviews**

Open [Marketing & Events > Reviews](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/reviews) to send review requests and read Google feedback when your Google Business connection is ready.

**5. Website**

Open [Marketing & Events > Website](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/website) to see how many people visited your public facility pages and which paths they opened most often.

**Expected result:** You see page views, visitors, and (when Google Analytics is connected) charts for the last 7, 30, or 90 days.

Step-by-step: [Review website traffic on your public pages](/docs/marketing-events/review-website-traffic-on-your-public-pages.md).

**6. Marketing Assets**

Open [Marketing & Events > Marketing Assets](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/assets) to store logos, event flyers, facility photos, and car pictures your team can reuse.

**Expected result:** You see **All assets**, folders you create, and buttons for **Link photos**, **New folder**, and **Upload**.

Step-by-step: [Organize your marketing photos and files](/docs/marketing-events/organize-your-marketing-assets.md).

![Community Channels page listing channels with member counts and a Create Channel button](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/marketing-community-fresh.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=9f58ec3ffa0aeb4bc2c4ba05f1035409)

*Community channels live on their own tab so announcement spaces stay separate from the calendar.*

![Reviews page showing review summary cards and a Send Review Request button](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/droZyI7iE1pSf0hh/images/marketing-events/marketing-reviews-page.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=droZyI7iE1pSf0hh\&q=85\&s=268b02bb527f8f44e1be1d05f2d1febf)

*The Reviews tab is where your team sends personal review requests and tracks Google feedback.*

![Marketing Assets library with folders for Customer cars, Event flyers, and Facility photos plus a facility logo](https://mintcdn.com/carstoragesoftware/xq8jVOhuH11Btk7G/images/marketing-events/marketing-assets-library-sep28.webp?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=xq8jVOhuH11Btk7G\&q=85\&s=c9136f63b4fe2787ee92b1568b93698d)

*The **Marketing Assets** tab is your shared folder for logos, flyers, and photos. Set this up before you design an email campaign.*

## Event week: from RSVP to check-in to reviews

When you run an in-person customer event, three guides work together. You do not need to read them all at once—use this map so your team knows **when** to open each one.

**1. Several days before the event**

Open your event on [Marketing & Events](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing) and follow [Review social event RSVPs and attendees](/docs/marketing-events/review-social-event-rsvps-and-attendees.md).

**Expected result:** You know how many guests marked **Going**, who is still **Maybe**, and whether you are near **Capacity**.

**2. Day of the event at the door**

On the same event page, click **Check in** and follow [Check in social event attendees](/docs/marketing-events/check-in-social-event-attendees.md).

**Expected result:** Each arrival is marked **Checked In** so your head count matches who actually walked through the door.

**3. A day or two after a great visit**

Open [Marketing & Events > Reviews](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/reviews) and follow [Request and manage reviews](/docs/marketing-events/request-and-manage-reviews.md) for customers who had a positive experience.

**Expected result:** Happy guests receive a personal link to leave a Google review—not a mass blast to everyone.

> [!TIP]
>
> **Custom signup forms fit in the middle**
>
> If you collected interest with a form before the event, read [Review form responses and export](/docs/marketing-events/review-form-responses-and-export.md) to see who answered **before** you send the RSVP link in a campaign.

## Recommended learning path

If your facility is new to this area, follow this order:

* Review [communication settings](/docs/settings/configure-communications.md) so email, text messaging, social links, and Google Reviews are ready.
* Put your logo and a couple of facility photos in [Marketing Assets](/docs/marketing-events/organize-your-marketing-assets.md) so emails look like your building.
* Create your first [campaign](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-campaign.md) for a customer update, event invitation, promotion, or announcement.
* Finish the message, audience, and [publish steps](/docs/marketing-events/add-campaign-message-audience-and-publish.md) before customers should receive an email or text.
* When you need a custom question list (event interest, waitlist, feedback), [create and share a custom form](/docs/marketing-events/create-and-share-a-custom-form.md) and [review responses](/docs/marketing-events/review-form-responses-and-export.md).
* Create a [social event](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-social-event.md) when customers need an RSVP page, event details, or ticket check-in.
* [Review RSVPs and attendees](/docs/marketing-events/review-social-event-rsvps-and-attendees.md) a few days before the event so your team can plan capacity and reminders.
* Create [community channels](/docs/marketing-events/manage-community-channels.md) for announcements or customer discussion.
* Use [event check-in](/docs/marketing-events/check-in-social-event-attendees.md) when attendees arrive.
* Send [review requests](/docs/marketing-events/request-and-manage-reviews.md) after a helpful service, visit, delivery, or event.
* Review [website traffic](/docs/marketing-events/review-website-traffic-on-your-public-pages.md) monthly so you know whether public pages are working.

> [!TIP]
>
> **Why this order helps**
>
> Customers have a better experience when your message, event page, community area, and review request feel connected. Set up communications first, then invite people.

## Related workflows

> [!NOTE]
>
> Marketing work often depends on customer records, tags, portal settings, and payments.
>
> Use [Contacts](/docs/contacts/overview.md) to organize who should receive a campaign. Use [Settings > Communications](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/communications) before sending texts or review requests. Use [Payments](/docs/payments/overview.md) before selling paid event tickets.

## Common mistakes to avoid

* Do not send a campaign until another teammate has reviewed the audience and message.
* Do not publish a paid event until payment processing is ready in [Settings > Billing](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/billing).
* Do not make a community channel read-only unless only staff should post there.
* Do not ask every customer for a review at once. Start with people who had a recent positive visit.

## Troubleshooting

> [!WARNING]
>
> **I do not see Marketing & Events in the sidebar**
>
> Your staff account may not have access to this area. Ask a facility owner to review your role in [Settings > Team](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/team).

> [!TIP]
>
> **SMS or Push options are grayed out when I create a campaign**
>
> Finish text messaging or push notification setup in [Settings > Communications](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/communications). Until then, use **Email Campaign** or **Social Media Post**.

> [!TIP]
>
> **The Forms tab is missing or empty**
>
> Open [Marketing & Events > Forms](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/forms) directly. You need at least one form before the list looks populated—start with [Create and share a custom form](/docs/marketing-events/create-and-share-a-custom-form.md).

> [!TIP]
>
> **Google reviews do not appear on the Reviews tab**
>
> Connect your Google Business account in [Settings > Communications](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/settings/communications), then click **Refresh** on [Marketing & Events > Reviews](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/reviews). New connections can take a few minutes to sync.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Customers say they never got a campaign email or text**
>
> Open the campaign and confirm it was **Published**, the audience includes that customer, and the send time has passed. Check the customer's email and phone in [Contacts](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/contacts). Ask them to check spam or junk folders for email.

> [!TIP]
>
> **A customer shows as failed with "Recipient unsubscribed from marketing email"**
>
> The customer opted out of your facility's marketing emails, so campaigns skip them automatically. They still receive invoices, receipts, and appointment notices. Learn more in [Email unsubscribes and opt-outs](/docs/marketing-events/add-campaign-message-audience-and-publish.md#email-unsubscribes-and-opt-outs).

> [!TIP]
>
> **The email used a stock photo instead of our building**
>
> Add your logo and facility pictures in [Marketing Assets](https://www.carstoragesoftware.com/dashboard/marketing/assets), then write a short **Description for AI** on each photo. Step-by-step: [Organize your marketing photos and files](/docs/marketing-events/organize-your-marketing-assets.md).

## How-to guides in this section

* [Create a campaign](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-campaign.md) — start an email, text, push, or social post.
* [Add campaign message, audience, and publish](/docs/marketing-events/add-campaign-message-audience-and-publish.md) — finish the message and send it to the right customers.
* [Create and share a custom form](/docs/marketing-events/create-and-share-a-custom-form.md) — build a survey or signup page with a shareable link.
* [Review form responses and export](/docs/marketing-events/review-form-responses-and-export.md) — read answers, view charts, and download a CSV.
* [Create a social event](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-social-event.md) — publish an RSVP page with event details.
* [Review social event RSVPs and attendees](/docs/marketing-events/review-social-event-rsvps-and-attendees.md) — see who is coming before event day.
* [Check in social event attendees](/docs/marketing-events/check-in-social-event-attendees.md) — mark guests as arrived on event day (QR scan or manual ticket code).
* [Manage community channels](/docs/marketing-events/manage-community-channels.md) — create customer discussion or announcement channels.
* [Request and manage reviews](/docs/marketing-events/request-and-manage-reviews.md) — ask for Google reviews and reply to feedback.
* [Review website traffic on your public pages](/docs/marketing-events/review-website-traffic-on-your-public-pages.md) — see visits to your facility website.
* [Create a text, push, or social campaign](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-text-push-or-social-campaign.md) — reach customers outside email.
* [Embed a custom form on your website](/docs/marketing-events/embed-a-custom-form-on-your-website.md) — show a survey on your public facility page.
* [Organize your marketing photos and files](/docs/marketing-events/organize-your-marketing-assets.md) — store logos, flyers, and photos for emails.

## What success looks like

When Marketing & Events is working well for your facility:

* Your team can see upcoming emails, texts, and events on one calendar without surprises.
* Customers receive clear messages with the right audience—not everyone gets every blast.
* Social events show honest RSVP counts before event day so you can plan parking and staff.
* Community channels have at least one active post so portal customers know where to look for news.
* Happy customers receive timely review requests—and your team replies to Google feedback professionally.
* Custom forms collect useful answers your team can export and act on—not scattered notes in email.
* Logos and facility photos live in **Marketing Assets**, so every campaign uses the same files.

## What to do next

If you are new to this area, start with [Create a campaign](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-campaign.md), then follow [Add campaign message, audience, and publish](/docs/marketing-events/add-campaign-message-audience-and-publish.md).

If you are preparing for an event, continue with [Create a social event](/docs/marketing-events/create-a-social-event.md) and [Review social event RSVPs and attendees](/docs/marketing-events/review-social-event-rsvps-and-attendees.md).


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