You could have the most efficient auto repair shop with the best technicians in the country. But without effective marketing? None of it matters because potential customers won’t know about you!Â
» Want to grow your auto repair business? Click here to schedule a demo.
To attract new customers (while retaining existing ones), you need a marketing plan. And that’s where AutoLeap’s Ultimate Marketing Guide for Auto Repair Shops comes into play.Â
Our eBook covers:Â
- Marketing definitions & benefits
- Target customer profilesÂ
- Digital marketing 101
- Website development
- Email marketing campaigns
- And much more!Â
While we can’t recap it all, let’s dive into some key highlights.Â
Benefits of marketing your shop
A sound marketing plan benefits your shop in so many ways. Let’s break a few advantages down:
- Spread awareness: The most obvious benefit is also the most important. If prospective customers don’t know about your shop, how are they supposed to find out? Promote your business in every possible channel – from word-of-mouth to print and digital – and increase your revenue potential.
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- Build a brand presence: What makes your shop stand out? Do you offer specialized services? Promoting these unique differentiators with your target audience is key. These efforts will help you establish credibility and win more business.
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- Increase sales: Sales potential is the top reason to devote resources towards marketing. Test out what works (and what doesn’t) with marketing campaigns. You will discover the right promotion formula to rev up your volume of repair orders.Â
Recommended budget for auto repair marketing
You understand why marketing matters for your auto repair business. But how much should you spend?Â
It depends! As a general rule of thumb, industry experts recommend 4-5% of your targeted sales. That benchmark applies to most general repair shops. But the percentage may vary based on your specialization and the size of your business.Â
» Want more shop marketing insights? Click here to download our case study.
We recommend devoting most of your budget to digital marketing, regardless of the percentage you decide!Â
The power of digital marketing
How many digital applications do you use in a given day? If you’re like most consumers in North America, the answer is many!Â
While many marketing tools have their place, digital marketing should serve as the foundation of your shop’s strategy. Most of your target audience will browse for general maintenance and repair services online.
Specifically, you should devote time towards:Â
Social media marketing: Post daily content on your social channels that customers and prospects will find valuable. Promote the unique services you provide. Share testimonials from recent customer experiences. Build a dialogue with your audience through interactive polls and Q&As.Â
Email marketing: Tailored email marketing campaigns can make an impact. Use a conversational tone with your email messaging. Share your top promotions. Send thought leadership (such as blog posts or case studies) that help readers with DIY maintenance.Â
But remember, not too many emails! You don’t want to create a negative brand image.Â
Closing thoughts
It’s time to build a masterful marketing strategy and watch all the shop revenue roll in. Download our eBook today for a definitive guide to planning and execution.Â
