Marketing for auto repair shops
People don't shop for a mechanic. They look for one they can trust.
Most drivers can't judge the work, so they judge you: the reviews, how you explain things and whether the price matched the quote. Your marketing is proving you are the honest shop.
A warning light came on, or the car started making a noise. They are worried about being overcharged, so they ask a neighbor, read the reviews and pick the shop that sounds straight with people.
In this order
Start with these five
None of them costs money. Get the first one working before you move to the second.
Step 1: Make your Google listing complete and current
Hours, the services you offer, the makes you work on and photos of the bays and the people. A driver with a problem decides from that page.
Set up your Google listing →Step 2: Ask for the review when you hand back the keys
The car runs, the price matched the quote and they are relieved. Ask then. A QR sign on the counter does half the work.
Make a counter sign →Step 3: Show the worn part
Text the customer a photo of the old part next to the new one, with one plain sentence about what it means. Nothing builds trust faster, and with their OK it makes a good post.
Step 4: Remind people when service is due
A sticker on the windshield and a short email when it is time. Most customers don't leave. They forget.
Start an email list →Step 5: Answer the bad review calmly
Every shop gets one. A calm, specific reply shows the next reader how you treat people when something goes wrong.
How to respond to a bad review →
Where to spend your time
Every channel, ranked for auto repair shops
You don't need all eight. Start at the top and stop when your week is full.
Start hereWhere your first hours should go.
Add nextWorth it once the first ones are running.
Can waitFine to skip unless the note applies to you.
Nothing to post?
Three posts for this week
Post 1: Show your work
The worn part next to the new one.
Caption to start from
Old [part] next to a new one. This is what [number] miles does. If you hear [sound], this is usually why.
Post 2: Help
What one dashboard warning light means, and how urgent it is.
Caption to start from
That [light] on your dash means [plain meaning]. [Keep driving / get it checked this week / pull over].
Post 3: Be a person
Introduce a technician and what they are best at.
Caption to start from
Meet [name], [number] years turning wrenches. If it's a [specialty] problem, it's probably going to [name].
What can wait
Coupon mailers and paid ads can wait until the reviews and reminders are running. A coupon brings in the customer who leaves for the next coupon.
Do this today
Photograph the next worn part you replace beside the new one, and text it to the customer with one sentence on what it means.
Other kinds of business
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