July’s here, and while the calendar might look quiet, your marketing shouldn’t be! In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand share real strategies to keep your shop top of mind and your bays full during the summer slowdown.

From summer travel prep and college car check-ins to back-to-school drives and fun offbeat holidays like Chicken Wing Day and Tattoo Day, this episode is packed with creative, low-effort ways to stay connected with your community.

You’ll also learn how to use slower days to plan, boost team morale, and build content that connects.

Hit play, get inspired, and keep that summer momentum rolling! ☀️

Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for this episode. RepairPal will introduce your shop to new customers through repairpal.com, the largest site for auto repair. Learn more at

RepairPal.com/shops.

Declined repairs don’t have to be lost revenue. AppFueled’s call center schedules follow-up calls and equips your team with everything they need to close the deal. Get started now at appfueled.com

Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

July Social Media Content Topics

Days of the Year

National Calendar

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Preparing for July Marketing (00:00:25) Discussion on the importance of planning marketing strategies for July, focusing on themes like freedom and summer safety.
• Engaging with the Community (00:01:10) Emphasis on keeping customers engaged during a slow month and using social media effectively.
• Back to School Promotions (00:02:04) Importance of early planning for back-to-school promotions and community involvement in school supply drives.
• Vehicle Maintenance for College Students (00:03:22) Encouraging vehicle check-ups for college students returning home for summer before heading back to school.
• Utilizing CRM for Client Communication (00:04:40) Using customer relationship management tools to remind clients about vehicle maintenance for college students.
• Busy Summer Months (00:05:26) Advice on managing busy summer months and scheduling maintenance during slower periods in August and September.
• Summer Safety and Vehicle Maintenance (00:06:37) Highlighting the importance of vehicle safety checks during the hot summer months.
• Creative Marketing Ideas for July (00:07:08) Suggestions for fun marketing content ideas, including engaging with technicians during slower days.
• National Days and Events (00:09:09) Discussion on leveraging national days and events for creative marketing strategies in July.
• Community Engagement through Sports (00:10:45) Using local sports events to engage the community and promote the shop through giveaways or themed events.
• Sponsorship Mention - RepairPal (00:11:27) Highlighting the benefits of being part of the RepairPal certified network for auto repair shops.
• Sponsorship Mention - App Fueled (00:12:26) Introduction to App Fueled and how it can enhance customer loyalty for auto repair shops.
• International Chicken Wing Day (00:13:29) Ideas for celebrating International Chicken Wing Day with team cookouts and...

So, you didn’t go to school for HR, and let’s be honest, hiring probably wasn’t what you dreamed about when you opened your shop. But here you are, needing to fill those bays and build a solid team.

In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker is joined by Lisa Coyle of Promotive to break down what it takes to hire in today’s world, and spoiler alert: it’s all about marketing.

From writing job posts that work to building a reputation techs want to work for, they cover everything you didn’t know you needed to know. You’ll discover why speed is your best friend, how your everyday shop culture is part of your recruiting strategy, and why treating candidates like customers is the game-changer most shop owners miss.

Whether you’re hiring right now or just trying to build your bench, this episode is packed with smart advice, straight talk, and some seriously valuable insight into what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to marketing your way to a great hire.

Hit play, and get ready to turn hiring from a headache into a strength. 👊

Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you with this episode. RepairPal’s Certified Network of shops is trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at

RepairPal.com/shops.

AppFueled makes marketing easy. It’s a CRM designed for auto repair shops with tools like segmentation, reminders, and even a call center. Don’t wait—get started today at appfueled.com

Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

Promotive

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction to the Podcast (00:00:01) The podcast is introduced as part of the aftermarket radio network.
• Guest Introduction (00:00:10) Kim welcomes Lisa Coil from Pro Motive and expresses excitement about the discussion.
• Personal Anecdote on Hiring (00:01:22) Kim shares her first impression of Lisa at an industry event and their delayed connection.
• Marketing and Hiring Discussion (00:02:22) Kim highlights the importance of marketing in attracting both customers and future team members.
• Childhood Reflections on Blue-Collar Work (00:03:31) Kim reflects on societal views of blue-collar jobs and their financial misconceptions.
• Recruitment Challenges in the Industry (00:04:33) Discussion on the shortage of skilled blue-collar workers and the need for effective marketing strategies.
• Understanding Headhunters vs. Recruiters (00:05:23) Lisa explains the difference between headhunters and recruiters in the hiring process.
• Recruitment Process Overview (00:06:45) Lisa describes the comprehensive services provided by headhunters, from job design to candidate negotiation.
• Common Hiring Problems for Shops (00:09:13) Lisa outlines key challenges shops face, emphasizing the importance of branding and speed in hiring.
• Importance of Speed in Hiring (00:09:41) Lisa stresses the need for quick responses to applicants to secure top talent.
• Marketing's Role in Job Descriptions (00:12:10) Discussion on how marketing strategies influence job titles and descriptions to attract candidates.
• Optimizing Job Listings for Mobile (00:13:04) Lisa advises shop owners to check how their listings appear on mobile devices for better visibility.
• Balancing Job Specificity and Attractiveness (00:15:28) Lisa talks...

You didn’t go to school for marketing, but here you are, running a shop and needing to fill those bays!

In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker gets real about what it is like to jump headfirst into marketing when you are not a trained marketer. (Spoiler: it is scary at first, but it is doable.)

Kim shares her own story, from teaching school kids to promoting a growing auto repair shop, and breaks down the six key tips that helped her go from "what is marketing?" to "running the show."

You will learn why knowing your strengths and weaknesses matters, how to find your networking tribe, how to step outside your comfort zone without freaking out, and why sometimes just showing up is the real marketing win.

Packed with encouragement, real-world advice, and plenty of laughs along the way, this episode will inspire you to stop doubting yourself and start marketing with confidence.

Hit play, grab a notebook, and get ready to become the marketer your shop needs! 🚀

Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal will help you grow your auto business and you can learn more at RepairPal.com/shops.

Declined repairs don’t have to be lost revenue. AppFueled’s call center schedules follow-up calls and equips your team with everything they need to close the deal. Get started now at appfueled.com

Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

Clifton StrengthsFinder 2.0

Tony Robbins DISC

Kim and Brian Tell Their Story

Ed Mylett

Start with WHY by Simon Sinek

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction to Marketing Journey (00:00:10) Kim Walker shares her background and transition into marketing for her husband's auto repair business.
• First Steps in Marketing (00:01:25) Kim recounts her initial reluctance and confusion about taking on marketing responsibilities.
• Support from Brian (00:02:47) Brian encourages Kim to join him in the auto repair world, emphasizing the need for marketing.
• Overcoming Initial Fears (00:05:03) Kim discusses her feelings of inadequacy and the mental challenges she faced when starting.
• First Networking Experience (00:06:15) Kim describes her first networking event and the nerves she felt as a newcomer.
• Lessons from Networking (00:08:28) Reflecting on her experience, Kim realizes the importance of networking relationships.
• Six Marketing Tips Introduction (00:09:41) Kim introduces six tips for shop owners who need to handle marketing themselves.
• Know Thyself (00:11:01) Kim emphasizes the importance of understanding personal strengths through assessments.
• Strengths Assessments (00:12:04) She recommends taking the Clifton Strengths assessment to identify personal strengths.
• Start with the End in Mind (00:15:26) Kim advises envisioning future marketing goals and building on existing strengths.
• Building a Network (00:16:34) She encourages listeners to connect with their community...