What a great topic, Joe.  I agreed with you when the first sentence in your topic-starter post said, “There are many things to consider when creating a marketing plan.”  My experience of creating a marketing plan didn’t come until later in my career, the last 8 years to be exact.  For the 32 years prior, my idea of marketing was having the nicest sign and the biggest Yellow Page ad I could afford.

I quickly learned I couldn’t afford to pay someone to build a website, let alone the SEO/SEM/keywords work.  During the last eight years of my career, I learned to build a website which included learning to write HTML and CSS3 code.  Marketing and the activities involved with it were a never-ending project.  Having a happy crew and great shop curb appeal was a given for me.  We already had that.  But to stick to the topic, what would be my advice for the first step in a marketing plan?

It would be to have a great website.  That’s key.  A shop’s digital presence is top of the list nowadays.  Everything digital should point to your website.  Oh, sure, I could add to that ad infinitum.  But I won’t.

Your spot on Joe! I do think that a new business starting out should do some sort of advertising in the local area, but after that its giving it your best in customer care and service. I do now have a couple of blogs on my websites that keep the Google people happy and attract a younger  class of customer, but as you say its service with a smile all the way. 

Just an addon. The British government did not charge the owners of electric cars with road tax. But now they have done a U turn and this advantage to owning one has now being scrapped! well well the dream of zero emissions by 2030 is already falling apart. Here in the UK at least. 

We're slated to try local broadcasting within a 15-mile radius on Spectrum.  Just submitted the 30 second commercial. First time using TV ads so hoping that the campaign is successful. 

1 hour ago, Obsidian Motors said:

We're slated to try local broadcasting within a 15-mile radius on Spectrum.  Just submitted the 30 second commercial. First time using TV ads so hoping that the campaign is successful. 

Will the TV ads match up to your demographic profile? 

4 hours ago, Joe Marconi said:

Will the TV ads match up to your demographic profile? 

Yes, it will. Seems you can't throw a rock in this city without hitting an auto repair shop and car dealership, so we're hoping this will give us an edge and increased visibility. 

3 hours ago, Obsidian Motors said:

Yes, it will. Seems you can't throw a rock in this city without hitting an auto repair shop and car dealership, so we're hoping this will give us an edge and increased visibility. 

Keep us updated on this.  I know many of us are interested!  And good luck!  

14 hours ago, Joe Marconi said:

Will the TV ads match up to your demographic profile? 

Are you using a call tracking phone number?  Call tracking is your measurement tool.

Here's the one we  used.

https://www.convirza.com/free-trial/