The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

Auto repair shop owners and business owners, in general, like to chase shiny objects, and marketing is no exception - and sometimes those shiny objects are worth chasing - but not until you have the foundations in place first. So what are the foundations when it comes to marketing? Kim and I answer that in this episode.Talking PointsWhat if everything you know about marketing is actually what’s holding your business back?1- Have a Great Website2 - Get your SEO right3 - Send a Monthly Email Newsletter4 - Post on Social Media Regularly5 - Embrace Pictures and Video6 - Boost Facebook Posts7 - Do Google Ads8 - Be nice to people9 - Focus on getting reviews10 - Join and Get Involved With Your LocalChambers of Commerce11 - Join a BNI Group12 - Embrace Community Involvement13 - Actually Fix the CarsLagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Podcast: Making Friends With Short Format VideoPodcast: Is it Customer Service Or Is It Marketing?Podcast: Networking Skills To Get The Most From In-Person EventsPodcast: What’s Your Story? Talking Video With Patrick EganPodcast: The Top Features An Auto Repair Shop Website NeedsPodcast: Does Your Community REALLY Know You?Podcast: Keywords in Reviews - Adding Fuel to the FireHow To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Thanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

You’ve heard the old saying that “failure to plan is planning to fail”, right? This is especially true when it comes to your marketing. Unfortunately, most shops have no plan, and it shows in their roller coaster revenues. But how do you plan it all out? Brian and Kim talk about exactly that in this episode of The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast.Talking PointsFailing to plan is planning to failWhat to planLooking back firstLooking aheadThemesEventsAdsSEO Search Topics/Keywords & PhrasesWhen to planAnnuallyQuarterlyMonthlyHow to planBlock out timeLook at statsSet goalsBackwards engineeringWhen/How to edit/pivotMonthlyQuarterly Analyzing + Checking Stats/PerformanceHow To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Thanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

Aren’t core values something you just hang on your wall and forget about? That’s how I used to feel about them until I had an enlightening. Core values and culture spread throughout your organization - even into your marketing. Kim and I have a conversation about marketing, culture, and core values in this episode. We hope you’ll listen in!Talking PointsMission. Vision. Values. Everyone talks about them, but not everyone lives them.If you have them - can you recite them? Does your team know them - by heart? Are they so much a part of your company that your customers know them?We were that company. Had them but they lived in a Google Doc or in a frame on the wall that people just walked past. How we developed our core values.Where are they?On the wallThroughout our website, social, and other marketingOn our careers page, interviews, etcIn our onboardingIn our daily conversationsReviews, Check-ins, Staff MeetingsShieldys We live them. They’re in us. How To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Thanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

There’s no lack of discussion about this topic throughout the Aftermarket Radio Network, but it’s made such an impact on our business that we have to add in our thoughts. The thing that we’d implement… is EOS. The Entrepreneurial Operating System. EOS will fix nearly any problem in your business, and we’ll never run another business without it. Listen to hear why we’re so passionate about it!Talking PointsEOS: Entrepreneurial Operating SystemCore Values, Vision, 3 Year & 1 Year Goals, 10-Year, L10, Departmental L10’s, Operational L10Firefighting, no more. Can’t go on vacation? EOS sets a plan, process and a place to look to and achieve. It empowers people. It creates team camaraderie and company culture. How would we see EOS working in a shop? LeadershipFront of House (service advisors, customer service)Back of House (techs, parts, tools)Lots of shops are EOS Shops! Check out Barry Barrett (former shop owner, Sales Trainer, and EOS Implementor) on the ARN with Carm! How To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Traction BookRocket Fuel BookEOSWatch EOS on the Aftermarket Radio NetworkThanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

The number of awards available for auto repair shops to apply for can be overwhelming, but very few shops actually apply for them. Recognition for your shop or your staff brings many opportunities for marketing, showing appreciation, and more. Savvy shop owners will prioritize getting these awards, Listen as Kim and Brian talk about why.Talking PointsEvery year there are multiple opportunities to take advantage of awards and scholarships. VISION (MWACA)ASOGAAPEX (AUTO CARE ASSOCIATION)WOMEN IN AUTO CAREWhy nominate yourself?You need helpYou do not have the budget to attendYou want to show your team you are not afraid or too proud to take advantage of the offerings availableWhy nominate others?It’s the right thing to do.It fits into your core values.You want to recognize others for their contributions.How to prep?Start NOW. Start collecting the right types of information. PhotosVideosTestimonialsKnow your numbersAdd all these to a Google FolderPay attention to the awards/scholarships available throughout the year so you can be ready next time.You win. Now what?Tell the world.Don’t be too proud not to. Share the great news.SocialWrite a blog about what it means to youDo a video sharing your gratitude/thanksPut it on displayCelebrate with your teamWrite a press releaseHow To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Thanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

Have you ever been in a place in life where you never seemed to be satisfied? Where nothing made you happy? Where every time you got something you’d been working towards you were met with disappointment? This is where I (Brian) found myself and it caused me to go on a journey to figure out why. In this episode, I talk about what I found along that journey.How To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Podcast: Never Satisfied? Always Feel Like You’re Chasing The Next Thing? Here’s Why with Dr. Daniel Z. LiebermanThanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

Short format video (Reels, TikToks, YouTube Shorts) is the latest trend in social media. This week we met up with Justin Allen at ASTE. Justin serves Western North Carolina as the “Nice Guy at Large” with Hunter Engineering Co.. If you know Justin, you know he’s a pro at using short-format video. If you don’t know Justin, you’ll definitely want to follow him after you listen to this episode!Talking PointsWhy Justin invested so heavily in videoHow video has changed in the time he’s been using itHow has video impacted his sales effortsWhat equipment Justin uses most oftenThe editing tool that makes short format video super easy to createHow to get over the fear of the cameraHow to get started with short format videoHow To Get In Touch with JustinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jallenhunter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j_allen_hunter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jallen.hunter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-allen-85209949/ Thanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

Hey friends! Welcome to our newest episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Today I am excited to have some amazing ladies on the podcast with me! Leigh Anne Best + Laura Frank with Brakes for Breasts are here with me today and it’s going to be amazing!Talking PointsHow I found out about B4B (Carm’s podcast!) when B4B was nearing the $1M mark a few years agoAs business owners…. We have visibility. With visibility comes responsibility. BOOM!Let’s talk stats. You have so many on your website!Nearly 300K will be diagnosed | Over 40K will die — in 2022$1.4M since 2011Over 100 repair shopsWhat made you start the organization?Leigh Anne and Laura’s most memorable moment with B4BGetting connected to Dr. Tuohy - the Cleveland ClinicB4B makes it so easy, having done the groundwork for shops to get involvedWhat B4B hopes to accomplish THIS yearWhat B4B is going to look like in 5 yearsWhat you can do to get involvedThe “best” time of the year for the shops to get started with you/signing upHow To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Brakes for Breasts WebsiteBrakes for Breasts on multiple other episodes on the Aftermarket Radio NetworThanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

Did you know that April is National Car Care Month and October is Fall Car Care Month? These two months are a great way to bring awareness to auto repair while also marketing your shop. Listen in as Brian and Kim talk about marketing your shop through these months and planning a car care clinic.Talking PointsOctober + April - Car Care MonthsWhat we did at our shopWhere to find resources: EVERYWHERE. Google, YouTube, Organizations, Other ShopsToolkits, social graphics, press releases, videosA Saturday clinicQuick overview/check-overNot a sales eventAll preventativeBring in parts suppliers, complimentary businesses, jump houses, child safety seat inspections & demonstrations, rafflesGet organizedAll month longBe open to “Car Care Month Inspections” all month.Consider making a donation to a local charity for each inspection.Take photos of each inspection and share on socialDo “Live” videos, reels, TikToks throughout the monthPromote your event: press releases, FB events, Chambers of Commerce, BNI groups, radio stations, your events page of your websiteHow To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)Host a Car Care EventCar Care GuideSocial GraphicsArticlesVideosThanks to our partner, RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE

Our guests in this episode of The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast are Tim Chakarian of Bimmer PHD and Tatsu Tsuchida of Tokyo Automotive. We talk about a lot in this episode, including guerrilla marketing, 20 groups, and industry associations. Tim and Tatsu both run incredible shops and are very involved at an industry level. They believe in learning from and helping other shop owners.Talking PointsTim and Tatsu both have had great success in using “bird droppings” to market their shopsBoth also have gifts that they give to their clientsThe relationships they have built with each other and other shop owners through their 20 group have had a large impact on their business and themselves personallyBeing a member of ASCCA has allowed them to work with other local shop owners and create relationships that benefit their clientsHow To Get In TouchGroup - Auto Repair Marketing MastermindWebsite - shopmarketingpros.com Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/bookInstagram - @shopmarketingpros Questions/Ideas - podcast@shopmarketingpros.com Thanks to our partner RepairPal. Visit the Web HERE