auto repair shop

How Do I Increase Car Count In A Struggling Economy?

on May 1, 2023

piggy bank showing your ability to save money in a tough economy and increase car count Economic scares affect every industry, even relatively recession proof businesses like auto repair. The main goal of every auto repair shop is to maintain or increase car count. How can you do that though when times are tough? Customers in dire financial straits tend to put off auto repair maintenance in lieu of other expenses. In this article, I share my top tips to increase car count, even when the times are tough.

Want To Increase Car Count? Let’s Examine the Challenges Involved

Before diving into the tips, we must understand the challenges that auto repair shop owners may face in a down economy. When people feel the pinch, they often cut back on nonessential expenses. This may include both car repairs and scheduled maintenance. Additionally, competition can be fierce in the auto repair industry. Standing out and attracting customers can be difficult.

Tips To Increase Car Count

Here are some places where you can start to increase car count in a struggling economy:

Price vs. Value

In a tough economy, most people are more price sensitive than ever before. That is why offering a value first approach to your sales efforts is key. Your marketing and sales team wants to help customers understand your service’s value.

People try to save more money in a struggling economy. Is it really saving money when you put off your vehicle maintenance for another day, though? Sell the future value of what your maintenance brings. In reality, you can help people avoid costly future repairs when times might be even worse.

Consider offering specials or promotions to entice new customers. Just make sure that you still make a profit. Dive deep into your copywriting. If you need help, then try AI for inspiration!

Focus on Customer Service To Increase Car Count

Providing exceptional customer service is the most effective way to attract and retain customers. Make sure that your team is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Train your staff to go above and beyond in addressing customer concerns, while ensuring your shop is clean and inviting.

Leverage Social Media

Social media is one of the most effective tools for reaching new customers, as well as keeping your existing customers engaged. Having a Facebook page for your business is a no brainer. It is so important to regularly post updates, promotions, and helpful tips. Encourage your customers to follow you on social media and to leave reviews on your page.

Utilize Google My Business and start a review campaign. Contact previous customers and then ask them to share their experiences with your shop. The more reviews you have, the higher you will rank in Google’s SERPs.

Offer Financing Options

Many people hesitate to repair their cars because of the cost. When you offer financing options, it can help alleviate this concern, making it easier for customers to get their repairs. Consider partnering with a financing company in order to offer your customers payment plans or other financing options. It’s all about lowering the barriers to entry, thus helping more people trickle into your shop.

Expand Your Auto Repair Services

Offering a more comprehensive range of services can both attract new customers and increase revenue. Consider expanding your services to include additional repairs, maintenance, or other offerings, such as car washes or detailing services.

Focus on Efficiency

Efficiency is so critical in the auto repair industry, especially in a down economy. Train your team to work efficiently and effectively in order to reduce repair times and increase productivity. This can help you serve more customers to increase car count and revenue.

Build Your Relationships with Local Businesses

Networking and building relationships with other businesses in your community also helps to attract new customers. Consider partnering with local dealerships, car rental agencies, or other companies outside your industry that can refer customers to your shop.

Increase Car Count By Using Email Marketing

Email marketing is a surefire method to stay in touch with your existing customers and keep them engaged. Consider sending regular newsletters or promotions to your email list to encourage repeat business. Mailchimp and other companies offer free tiers, so you can test out their services.

Focus on Branding

Branding is important to any industry. It can be especially important in auto repair. Ensure that your shop has a strong brand that stands out from your competitors. Create a logo, tagline, and other memorable branding elements that will help build brand recognition. What if nobody in your company has a knack for these tasks? Outsource them to a qualified graphic designer or marketing agency in your area.

Offer Free Inspections or Diagnostics

Free inspections or diagnostics may help attract new customers. This may encourage them to bring their cars in for repairs. This can also help you identify additional repairs that need to be done. This is a straightforward method to increase your revenue.

Join You Net Results and Increase Your Car Count Today

Increasing your auto repair shop’s car count in a struggling economy is challenging. By focusing on customer service, value-based sales, and leveraging social media, business owners can attract and retain customers. By using these strategies, we can stay competitive in a tough economy and keep growing their businesses.

Contact You Net Results today in order to begin the process. Book a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis and his team will help you build your leadership foundation. Plug into a vast network of auto repair shops. We all work together to strengthen the industry! Let’s make May the best month of your business life!

Defining Automotive Shop Management

on January 25, 2023

Auto repair shop management doesn’t have to be a mystery. Long time automotive business coach Gary Gunn shares his decades of automotive industry experience running multiple shops with you! When you take Gary’s and head coach Brian Gillis’ advice to heart, you will put your business systems in place and see results in no time!

Defining Auto Repair Shop Management – How Is It Different From Leadership?

Gary opens the clip, polling the group on the difference between auto repair shop management and leadership.

Pam believes that managing is staying on top of details and keeping staff on top of their tasks. Fred believes Leaders hand down goals and processes to Managers. Then the Managers use the SOPs to guide the people.

Joe defines the Leadership role as one who sets the pace and tone for the shop’s business. Management then manipulates the Technicians and Service Advisors to execute the Leader’s vision. Joe clarifies that the staff roles are similar to that of military ranks. As the owner and leader, he recognizes the strengths of each employee in their positions.

Jerry continues by agreeing with all the previous points. He then adds that Auto Repair Shop Management means overseeing the systems and processes, so Mechanics and Service Writers can do their thing.

Gary also reminds us that people do not want to be managed. They can’t! That method of management always reduces people to robots. Effective managers should manage the systems, so the SOPs themselves can manage the people.

Learn More – Get Your FREE Strategy Session

Does your independent automotive shop lack a clear vision? Maybe your business plan has stalled out. You need an experienced automotive industry coach to help you. Then why not schedule a FREE business strategy session with Brian? You’ve got nothing to lose, so sign up today!

The True Cost Of Doing Business for Auto Repair Shop Owners

on December 14, 2022

If you’re watching this video, the odds are that you are an automotive shop owner. One of the ten knowledge principles we at You Net Results teach is to know your True Cost of Doing Business. What does that mean? You need to ask yourself how much it takes to build an automotive repair shop that is financially healthy.

There are so many pitfalls and mistakes that repair shop owners can make. It’s up to you to make the effort to understand your profit and losses, as well as regularly review your score sheets. Only then can you stack up cash and set yourself up for success long term.

True Cost of Doing Business Discussion Recap

Gary Gunn, AAM opens up this clip, in which he is detailing the ten financial knowledge principles. Knowing the true cost of business means knowing what it takes to be financially healthy in the automotive repair industry. Knowing your numbers, as well as how to read them, is essential for any auto repair shop owner.

He went on to tell a story of an owner in his class years ago. This owner declared that he planned to slash repair prices because he had paid off his shop’s building. Gary literally asked him to leave the class. This kind of thinking doesn’t come from a smart business mentality. Rather than subtracting from his monthly income, he should have invested the money he previously put toward his building expense. Stacking up cash today could mean weathering a major storm in your future, or even retiring early!

Educate yourself. Look at your scorecard daily, weekly, monthly, and annually. If you estimate your true cost of doing business too high, then you are putting undue pressure on yourself and your team.

Stack Up Cash In Your Auto Repair Shop!

If this sounds intimidating, fear not! You Net Results is here to guide you to learn the true cost of doing business and stack up cash for your shop. Learn more about our Anchor Financial Reporting group monthly program here!

Go for NO!

on July 1, 2021

Photo by Isaiah Rustad on Unsplash.

When you hear the phrase, “Go For No,” how does that make you feel?

Does hearing “go for no” make you uncomfortable?
Do you feel kind of creepy or pushy?
Does it trigger fear of rejection?

What if I were to tell you that the services you offer could be the answer to someone’s prayers?

What if I were to say that money and the exchange of it is a dignified conversation?

Do you suppose then that talking with clients and finding out their needs could be a good thing?

When you Go For No, you’re not pushy.

You’re not even confrontational. Instead, going for no is a simple conversation that finds out what your clients need and don’t need.

If you fear hearing the word “No,” I invite you to join me on a journey. Let’s examine why that word is one of the most helpful words on your path to success.

“No” defines boundaries.
The word “No” allows you to “know” your client better.
“No” helps you know where you stand and what needs to improve before you can get to yes.
“No” is “no-thing” to be afraid of in business.

That’s why we say “Go For No.”

Go for No and your automotive repair customers will eventually say YES! Our 360 Group recently met for our first in-person event in Atlanta. It was a great time, and we all learned new techniques about running our businesses better.

Along the lines of “No,” we learned incredible things about both ourselves and our team members.

We learned what we would no longer tolerate as business owners who want to grow our annual revenues.
Marketing is nothing to fear.
Potential clients will more often say yes to you when you communicate with them and educate them through video marketing.
We discovered that going for no really means not giving up until we have found our God-given purpose.

Take the NO Fear Journey with Brian Gillis.

At You Net Results, we offer coaching groups for auto repair shop owners and service advisors. Together along with your fellow automotive professionals, you can reach a turnaround point. Then, you will evolve from a business owner to a confident business leader, by eliminating the obstacles holding you back.

Are you ready? Let’s do this.

If you’d like to find out more, then contact us for a complimentary consultation. Brian Gillis will discuss your business strategies and then find ways to improve your annual revenue and company culture.