Creating Loyal Auto Repair Customers [E095] - The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast
-
Available Subscriptions
-
Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?
-
By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog0 commentsIt always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.
-
-
Similar Topics
-
By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our Partners,
RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops. Quality Car Repair. Fair Price Guarantee.
App Fueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”
Dive into actionable marketing strategies for April with hosts Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand in this episode of the "Marketing by the Months" series. From leveraging Spring Car Care Month to hosting car care clinics, you’ll uncover creative ways to educate customers, build trust, and grow your auto repair shop.
This episode dives into turning quirky national days like National 4x4 Day into engaging social media content and using VEDA (Video Every Day in April) to showcase your shop’s personality and expertise on camera. Plus, explore strategies to capitalize on tax refund promotions and seasonal maintenance trends that help bring in springtime traffic.
Tune in now to discover actionable tips and fresh ideas to make your April marketing a success. Don’t miss this chance to fill your bays and grow your Shop!
Thank you to RepairPal for sponsoring The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast. Learn more about RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops
Are you ready to convert clients to members? App Fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build client loyalty. Get started today with your own customer loyalty app. Visit Appfueled.com
Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
https://www.daysoftheyear.com
https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/
https://shopmarketingpros.com/ep-118-doing-video-every-day-for-a-month/ - Doing Video Every Day For A Month
https://shopmarketingpros.com/how-doing-video-every-day-can-transform-your-auto-repair-shops-marketing-strategy/
Show Notes with Timestamps
Introduction to April Marketing (00:00:10) The hosts introduce the episode and discuss the focus on marketing strategies for April. Spring Car Care Month (00:02:43) April is highlighted as Spring Car Care Month, emphasizing vehicle maintenance and customer education. Car Care Clinics (00:03:11) Hosts suggest hosting car care clinics to engage customers and educate them about vehicle maintenance. Vida: Video Every Day in April (00:04:55) Discussion on the importance of video marketing and committing to daily video creation for engagement. Celebrating National Pickleball Month (00:07:44) Hosts encourage engaging posts related to National Pickleball Month, even if not directly automotive. Honoring EMS Week (00:08:12) Discussing ways to celebrate and honor first responders during EMS Week with discounts or special offers. Tax Return Promotions (00:09:55) Promoting services around tax returns, encouraging customers to invest in vehicle maintenance with their refunds. April Fool's Day Marketing (00:10:48) Ideas for fun social media posts and jokes to engage customers on April Fool's Day. National Ride Your Horse to a Bar Day (00:14:09) Hosts humorously discuss the quirky holiday and encourage creative marketing ideas around it. National 4x4 Day (April 4) (00:14:45) Celebration ideas for off-road enthusiasts and engaging posts for customers. World Rat Day (April 4) (00:15:18) Discussion on celebrating the impact of rats on auto repairs. National Rita Roadmap Day (April 5) (00:16:12) A fun take on roadmap reading skills among staff. International Pillow Fight Day (April 5) (00:16:27) Humorous suggestions for a pillow fight as social media content. National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12) (00:17:05) Ideas for a grilled cheese challenge at the shop. State Pride Days (April) (00:17:28) Encouragement to celebrate local state days and community engagement. Tax Day and National That Sucks Day (April 15) (00:18:08) Creative marketing ideas related to tax day and repairs. National Auctioneers Day (April 17) (00:19:08) Fun activities like staff auctioneering for customer engagement. Easter (April 20) (00:19:40) Ideas for Easter celebrations and community involvement. Girl Scout Leaders Day and Earth Day (April 22) (00:20:24) Promoting community ties with Girl Scouts and environmental awareness. Clean Comedy Day (April 28) (00:21:38) Encouraging clean jokes and humor among staff. Viral Video Day (April 29) (00:22:17) Encouragement to create engaging videos for social media. April Showers Bring May Flowers (00:23:38) Marketing strategies related to spring maintenance and vehicle care.
How To Get In Touch
Group - Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind
Website - shopmarketingpros.com
Facebook - facebook.com/shopmarketingpros
Get the Book - shopmarketingpros.com/book
Instagram - @shopmarketingpros
Questions/Ideas - [email protected]
Thanks again for listening to The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast on Aftermarket Radio Network. There are some other great shows on the network and you can find them at AftermarketRadioNetwork.com or on your favorite podcast listening apps like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and many others
Tune in for another episode next week. Until then, go fill those bays!
Talking Points
General Topics for April:
April showers bring may flowers - wiper blades, Aquapel, tires Continuing the theme from March Spring maintenance and cleaning Pot holes - winter damage Change back to summer tires Continue with the tax refund talk
Days of the Year - Monthly Themes
April is the first of the two National Car Care Months VEDA - Video Every Day in April
Days of the Year - Weekly Themes
National EMS Week
Days of the Year - Daily Themes
4/1 April Fools Day 4/2 National Ride Your Horse to a Bar Day 4/3 National Burrito Day 4/4 World Rat Day ⅘ International Pllow Fight Day ⅘ National Read a Road Map Day 4/12 National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day 4/15 National That Sucks Day 4/17 National Auctioneers Day 4/20 Easter 4/22 National Jelly Bean Day 4/28 Clean Comedy Day 4/29 Viral Video Day
Aftermarket Radio Network
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life.
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching.
Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size.
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest.
The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level.
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
-
By Joe Marconi
Premium Member Content
This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.
-
By Changing The Industry
Episode 202 - A Conversation with Launch Tech's Haresh Gobin On The Future of Diagnostics
-
By carmcapriotto
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Welcome to this episode of Business by the Numbers! Host Hunt Demarest, CPA, explores the recent IRS developments and what they mean for business owners, taxpayers, and accountants alike. With executive orders, funding cuts, and shifting policies, there's plenty to unpack about the future of the IRS and tax compliance.
Key Takeaways:
IRS Funding Cuts: The Inflation Reduction Act promised $80 billion for the IRS, but political maneuvering and budget cuts have significantly reduced this allocation. Commissioner Resignation: The departure of the IRS commissioner raises questions about future agency direction and efficiency. Audit Frequency Impact: With fewer agents and reduced funding, audits for wealthy individuals and large corporations are likely to decrease. Taxpayer Challenges: Delayed refunds, processing slowdowns, and a backlog of cases could worsen due to IRS understaffing. Emerging Trends: Discussion on potential international tax changes and the possibility of an "External Revenue Service" impacting U.S. tax revenue collection. https://www.projectfinance.law/publications/2025/january/trump-executive-orders/ https://waysandmeans.house.gov/2025/01/23/president-trumps-cease-and-desist-to-irs-protects-middle-class-families-and-small-businesses-from-irs-audits-and-weaponization/ https://moneywise.com/a/ch-synd/irs-asks-for-more-funding_1737633682545
Thanks to our partners, NAPA TRACS and Promotive
Thanks to our partner, NAPA TRACS
Did you know that NAPA TRACS has onsite training plus six days a week support?
It all starts when a local representative meets with you to learn about your business and how you run it. After all, it's your shop, so it's your choice.
Let us prove to you that Tracs is the single best shop management system in the business. Find NAPA TRACS on the Web at NAPATRACS.com
Thanks to our partner, Promotive
It’s time to hire a superstar for your business; what a grind you have in front of you. Introducing Promotive, a full-service staffing solution for your shop. Promotive has over 40 years of recruiting and automotive experience. If you need qualified technicians and service advisors and want to offload the heavy lifting, visit www.gopromotive.com.
Paar Melis and Associates – Accountants Specializing in Automotive Repair
Visit us Online: www.paarmelis.com
Email Hunt: [email protected]
Download a Copy of My Books Here:
Wrenches to Write-Offs Your Perfect Shop
The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto https://remarkableresults.biz/
Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
-
-
By Zenoo
Hi my name is Zenas and I am 26 years old from Alberta, Canada. I started my own automotive repair shop in December 2023. After running it for 1 year I made a little bit of profit. I needed some advice on how I could increase it. Its a 3 bay shop with two 2 post hoists and one 4 post hoist with alignment. I am the only mechanic in the shop as I can't afford to hire anyone at this point. I am charging about $120 per hour for the labor and very minimal mark up on parts. The shop had no customer base when I got it so it took me sometime to build returning customers. If I try to increase the prices on parts the customers run away. Seems like they are calling around the city and going to the cheapest person. My monthly over head cost is about $7000. Whatever I make in a month goes back into next month's rent. Any advices on how to manage this properly from other shop owners?
-
-
-
Our Sponsors
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now