Business Archives - Page 36 of 39 -
Building Your Brand: More Than Just Creating A Logo

In the July/August 2011 issue, we reviewed the value of developing a brand for your company, built on the “promise of an experience.” Oftentimes, people assume that a brand is just a logo used on marketing materials. A brand goes far beyond having a logo.

Signage And Projecting A Professional Image: A Cohesive Message Ensures Optimal Impact Of Your Shop’s Brand

This article is the first of a multi-part series where we will discuss shop signage and image. We’ll talk about what message you’re communicating without even uttering a word to your customer. We will look at ways for you to improve on the message you’re sending and help you set your shop apart from your competition.

With Today’s Customer … It’s Value That Sells

Value has always been a powerful motivator in marketing and sales, but with the uncertainty in today’s tough economic times, an emphasis on value is more important than ever before. Although you’ll find many definitions, I believe we can all agree that in the mind of your customers, value means getting the most bang for their buck.

Leverage Text Messaging To Strengthen Your Local Marketing Push

My 70-year-old mother started texting before I did. This probably sounds strange given that I’m the tech geek in the family and “Web” is my middle name.

5 Proven Strategies To Grow Your Facebook Fan Base

Amy Porterfield, co-author of “Facebook Marketing All-in-One for Dummies,” presented a recent SEMA webinar regarding five proven strategies to grow your fan base and create a community on Facebook.

5 Telephone Tips That Will Increase Your Auto Repair Sales

During tough economic times you need to make the most of every opportunity that you have at your disposal to generate more sales. Follow these five tips to convert more first-time callers into happy customers.

Thinking Outside The Box: The Key To Higher Car Counts

Institutional advertising programs, like print media, TV and radio, and electronic media, all have their place. Clearly they can help you keep the name of your company top of mind with your customers, which, in the world of advertising, is a good place to be. But regardless of how much name awareness your company carries, one thing is for certain: You sell a service, not a product.

Deliver World-Beating Customer Service, Part 2

Part 1 of this article in the July/August issue discussed how great customer service is not as easily defined as having clean restrooms. Customer service is a tangible, measurable attribute, so your customer always decides whether or not you’re delivering exceptional customer service.

Increase Your Auto Repair Profits … Today!

When I was still in the auto repair business, I learned an invaluable secret from a remarkable man named Sol Price. For those of you not familiar with the name, he was the founder of Price Club; the company known today as Costco. Sol was able to take himself out of the price comparison game, and the way he did it was by making sure that every appliance he sold was unique to Price Club.

How To Prepare Your Shop For The Next Opportunity … Or Obstacle

As every shop owner knows, both money-making opportunities and unexpected situations present themselves on a regular basis. A deal to buy a new sign for your shop, a chance to buy inventory at a discount or forging ahead with an equipment upgrade are all ways to grow and develop your business.

7 Steps To A New Shop Location: Strategies For A Successful Business Expansion

In July, I opened my 25th auto repair shop in Marietta, GA. The shop, which operates under the Service Street banner, is located on a busy highway, northwest of Atlanta. The store launched strong, posting the third-best opening, sales-wise, of all my shops. Once it matures, I expect it to be my top-performer.

Reputation Management: What Are Customers Saying About You?

The Internet is often referred to as “The Wild, Wild West” because technology is changing so rapidly, it’s virtually impossible to police content, images and business practices. Well, the web just got a heck of a lot wilder in the local search space, so here is what you need to know to protect your shop’s reputation.