Here’s a marketing idea I wanted to share with everyone. Auto shop owners and marketers are focused on targeting the local residential community. But what about all of the businesses that employ people who work in the area but don’t live in the area? These employees are all great prospects for auto repair services. The challenge is effectively targeting and reaching them.
One idea is to create a flyer that doubles as a break room poster. The poster should have a use case explicitly telli
If you haven’t considered or utilized direct mail postcard magnets to attract new customers, now is the time to reevaluate this medium.
Over the past 9 years, I have seen first-hand how effective direct mailing a postcard magnet can be for new customer acquisition as well as customer retention. The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), who is quite a credible source, also reported in their DMA Statistical Fact Book that “A postcard with a magnet attached is read at least 51.9% more often th
After speaking to a number of Euro & Specialty shops recently about executing targeted direct mail campaigns, I’ve realized there isn’t a clear understanding from the shop owners perspective about the capabilities and source of targeted auto lists. I hope to add some transparency to the subject here.
What type of targeted auto data is available?
Below is a list of 6 categories available to select specific vehicles to target, with the top 3 being the most widely used. I have also
Are you using direct mail to market your auto shop? If you aren’t, it’s time to add this tried and true method to your marketing line-up. Direct mail is great for auto shops, whether you’re trying to increase your car count with new customers or retain existing ones. In this blog, we’ll explain how you can use direct mail to fill your bays and maximize your ROI.
Be Consistent with Your Direct Mail
Wondering why direct mail is a smart choice for auto shops? One of the biggest reasons is it
I had a shop owner say this to me recently: "Why is it I run an honest shop, but I'm still struggling?" If you've ever wondered the same thing, this video is for you:
Technology is affecting every single area of the auto repair industry. It's impacting what tools and skills your techs need. The use of the internet by any customer with a smart phone in their pocket is also presenting challenges in the tools and skills your service advisors need. Shop owners who want to take advantage of this huge opportunity, are going to want to read this: Click here.
Hi everyone, I wanted to write you a quick note to let you know Pat, my business partner and one of the coaches and sales trainers for my company... Just completed a video addressing a concern one of our clients had about a new competitor moving into his town. Even if this isn't a situation you're dealing with, the information in this short 6-minute video addresses... How to position your business, as an auto repair shop, that believes in "treating the customer right". Here's the link to th
Many shop owners wonder if they have the "right employee" for the job, especially if their monthly numbers are not where they should be. There's a simple test to determine if that's the case. Click here to read about a conversation I had with a shop owner recently that helped put his mind, at ease.
Everyone has a number in mind that represents the next level, in their business. It could be that you're at $750,000 and you're looking to hit $1,000,000. Regardless of whether your sales goal is higher or lower than the million dollar benchmark... There's a formula for making that happen. In a new video I just uploaded, I talk about the most important number to focus on, in order to reach your goal - whatever it is. By focusing on this number, you can quickly eliminate the need to spend th
Hi Everyone! I know I haven't posted here recently. We've just been super busy. But today, I strapped myself, into my chair, to share some timely information you might find helpful. There are three subjects I want to talk about. The first thing is: There's a new overtime law that may impact your business, depending on how you have your employees' pay plans set up. Here's a video that was sponsored by The Automotive Service Association that talks about how this new law relates to the automot
Does your shop run on the Scott Systems MaxxTraxx Shop Management System?
Their latest release, available now, includes two new myCARFAX Shop Tools. Participating shops can now signup customers for myCARFAX in one-click!
myCARFAX is new no-cost customer retention tool that helps keep your customers coming back for their future preventative maintenance services. Consumers who use myCARFAX get their vehicles serviced 20% more frequently than non-users - getting you more service business!
Does your shop run on Janco's Stocktrac Shop Management System?
Their latest release, available now, includes a new myCARFAX Shop Tool. Participating shops can now signup customers for myCARFAX in one-click!
myCARFAX is the new no-cost customer retention tool that helps keep your customers coming back for their future preventative maintenance services. Consumers who use myCARFAX get their vehicles serviced 20% more frequently than non-users - getting you more service business! myCARFAX
Does your shop run on the YES! Pace Software Shop Management System?
Their latest release, available now, includes new myCARFAX Shop Tools. Participating shops can now signup customers for myCARFAX in one-click!
myCARFAX is the new no-cost customer retention tool that helps keep your customers coming back for their future preventative maintenance services. Consumers who use myCARFAX get their vehicles serviced 20% more frequently than non-users - getting you more service business! myCAR
Does your shop run on the Bay-masteR Shop Management System?
Their latest release, available now, includes two new myCARFAX Shop Tools. Participating shops can now signup customers for myCARFAX in one-click!
myCARFAX is the new no-cost customer retention tool that helps keep your customers coming back for their future preventative maintenance services. Consumers who use myCARFAX get their vehicles serviced 20% more frequently than non-users - getting you more service business! myCARFAX
In February 2016, the 2016 Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association published their
annual Automotive Aftermarket Status Report.
The report revealed a number of interesting facts and opportunities for auto repair shop owners.
First of all, the amount of unperformed maintenance has reached $69 Billion dollars.
This is a staggering number!
I suspect much of that is for unsold scheduled maintenance.
To find out what this mean to you, please click here for the rest of the
Does your shop run on the TABS AutoFluent Shop Management System?
Their latest release, available now, includes two new myCARFAX Shop Tools. Participating shops can now signup customers for myCARFAX in one-click - simply click the myCARFAX Signup button to the right of the email field in the Invoicing Screen. When your customer is signed up, the button will turn green to let you know.
Have you taken advantage of the myCARFAX Service History Check feature in the Vehicle screen? Now, we'r
Hi everyone,
Just a quick note about the Fleet Work Program.
The first 7 slots filled up quickly, so I opened up another 7 slots. There are only 2 of those slots available. I do not know when (or if) I will open up more.
In case you're on the fence about what fleet work can do for you, I want to clear up 3 common misperceptions:
Misperception #1: "There's no profit in fleet work because you're competing on price." Fleet owners understand the big picture and make their decision b
Hi everyone,
Have you been thinking that adding fleet work would be a good addition to your business?
Fleet work increases your numbers, and smooths out your cash flow. It keeps your techs busy with a steady flow of profitable work.
Until now, our exclusive fleet work sales & management program has only been available to our existing clients.
We are now accepting a limited number of shop owners who would like to add fleet work to their business.
This program is designed t
Hi everyone,
There's a brand new article in the October 2015 Ratchet & Wrench magazine
that suggests price shoppers are bottom-feeders - and should be fired.
Click this link to see why looking at the situation, from a different viewpoint,
may be beneficial to you and your business.
Two of the most common questions I see shop owners asking are centered around
1) How to hire techs and service advisors and
2) What's the best form of marketing for new customers.
The better question should be:
What's the easiest way to attract these people?
The simplest answer is by becoming a magnet by way of your core philosophy.
In order to thrive (not just survive), the auto repair business model must be based
on a core philosophy of "win-win-win".
What that mea
Hi everyone,
Something happened recently that really pushed my buttons.
Weeks later, I'm still angry about it.
Not for me.
But for all the shop owners, like you, who are trying to build a profitable
auto repair business, in today's economy.
What gives them the right to decide what you should or shouldn't be told?
Here's what happened.
I was scheduled to speak at a business conference for auto repair shop owners.
This had been on my calendar for months.
Two we
Hi everyone,
What I'm about to tell you will either excite you - or offend you.
At first glance, you may think I'm going to talk about a subject that has been
hashed and re-hashed.
And there couldn't possibly be anything left to say about it.
So, you may be tempted to hit your back button and go on about your day.
However, if you're like most shop owners I speak with...
This is a problem they've been struggling with - for years...
And it's still not "handled".
As
