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...

In this episode, we’re diving into the powerful concept of creating a shared vision and how a lack of clarity could be holding your shop back from real growth.

I’ll walk you through what I learned in a deep dive after my own leadership team challenged me to cast a vision that reaches every level of our company. We’ll talk about how to get out of the “small thinking” trap, how to define your goals with laser precision, and why your employees need to see, feel, and believe in the same future you do.

Plus, I’ll share real tools, like how to craft your vision statement, how to communicate it across your team, and how to create a business where everyone’s pulling in the same direction.

If you want to stop playing small and start building something truly great, this episode is for you.

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)

EOS One

Vivid Vision: A Remarkable Tool For Aligning Your Business Around a Shared Vision of the Future - Cameron Herold

The Vision Driven Leader - Michael Hyatt

Stop Delaying Your Dreams: Time to Take Action

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsors (00:00:01) Overview of the podcast and thanks to sponsors RepairPal and App Fuel.
• Creating a Shared Vision (00:00:10) Brian discusses the importance of establishing a shared vision for the company.
• Leadership Team Meetings (00:01:13) Details about offsite leadership meetings and the exercise called "the one thing."
• Feedback and Growth (00:02:08) Brian reflects on receiving feedback from his leadership team and its impact on personal growth.
• Shifting Mindset on Growth (00:03:07) Brian shares his fears about growth and how he overcame them to embrace larger ambitions.
• Disney's Service Model (00:04:17) Comparison of Disney's customer service model to his company's approach to client service.
• Processes and Procedures (00:05:26) Discussion on the importance of processes in maintaining service quality while growing.
• Inbound Marketing Strategy (00:07:25) Brian explains the effectiveness of inbound marketing in attracting clients.
• Outbound Sales Shift (00:09:26) Introduction of outbound sales strategies and the team's initial reactions to the change.
• Creating a Shared Vision Deep Dive (00:10:34) Brian's focus on developing a shared vision after receiving feedback from his leadership team.
• Researching Shared Vision (00:11:42) Challenges in finding resources on creating a shared vision and discovering related literature.
• Book Recommendations (00:12:42) Brian reviews two books on vision creation and his thoughts on their...

Summer’s heating up and so should your marketing! In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, hosts Brian Walker and Caroline Legrand get real about what actually works for shop owners when it comes to June marketing.

From summer travel prep and cooling system services to creative promotions for Tire Safety Month and celebrating your hardworking team during Automotive Service Professionals Week, this episode is your go-to guide for planning ahead and filling those bays.

You’ll also hear how to make the most out of offbeat holidays (like National Donut Day or World Juggling Day), how to promote community involvement without sounding like you’re bragging, and why some services (like AC repair) don’t need a discount to sell like crazy.

Packed with fun ideas, real-life shop stories, and actionable tips, this episode is everything you need to kick your June marketing into high gear.

Don’t miss it, hit play and get inspired! 🚀

Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. As shop owners we were part of RepairPal’s Certified network and you can learn more at RepairPal.com/shops

Revolutionize Your Shop

Want to revolutionize your marketing? AppFueled does it all—email, text, app notifications, and even call center integration. Stop guessing and start connecting with AppFueled.

Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

Days of the Year

National Calendar

Staying Humble While Promoting Your Community Involvement

June Social Media Content Topics

Show Notes with Timestamps

• Introduction and Sponsors (00:00:01) Introduction to the podcast and thanks to sponsors RepairPal and App Fueled.
• Summer Marketing Discussion (00:01:06) Brian and Caroline discuss summer marketing strategies as temperatures rise.
• June Marketing Themes (00:02:54) Exploring common marketing themes for June, including summer trip preparations and cooling system maintenance.
• Air Conditioning Services (00:05:46) Importance of air conditioning services during summer and how to educate customers.
• National Automotive Service Professionals Week (00:08:28) Celebrating automotive service professionals and promoting staff appreciation during the first week of June.
• Community Involvement (00:09:25) Encouraging shops to support local teams and share community involvement.
• Fun Days in June (00:11:20) Highlighting fun days in June, including International Volkswagen Bus Day and engaging customers with stories.
• Closing Remarks and Sponsors (00:12:28) Final thoughts and reminders about the benefits of RepairPal and App Fueled for auto repair shops.
• World Bicycle Day (00:14:25) Discussing community goodwill by offering bicycle repairs for kids.
• National Donut Day (00:14:52) Ideas for supporting local bakeries by providing donuts for team and customers.
• National Ice Cream Day (00:15:27) Recalling a fun event with an ice cream truck at the shop.
• National Moonshine Day (00:16:05) Linking moonshine history to NASCAR and...

Want to create marketing that actually excites your customers and keeps them coming back for more? In this episode, host Brian Walker and co-host Kim Walker sit down with Robert Morton from Panhandle Eurotech to uncover how a simple treasure hunt turned into a marketing powerhouse, boosting website traffic, improving SEO rankings, and creating a stronger connection with their community.

Robert shares how his shop designed a treasure hunt that got people actively searching for clues, engaging with their website, and following their business more closely than ever before. From increasing customer interaction to enhancing their shop’s online visibility, this strategy has proven to be a game-changer.

You'll hear wild stories from past treasure hunts, how people got hooked, and why this strategy keeps working time and time again. Plus, we dive into the impact of gamification, creative ways to engage your audience, and how to build a marketing strategy that actually works for your shop.

Don't miss this episode, tune in now and start thinking outside the box with your marketing! 🚀

Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal’s Certified

Network of shops are trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at

RepairPal.com/shops.

Are you ready to convert clients to members? App Fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for professional auto repair businesses. Visit Appfueled.com to get started today. Keep your shop top of mind on the mobile device they love.

Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

Panhandle Eurotech

Show Notes with Timestamps

How To Get In Touch

Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook

Meet The Pros

Follow SMP on Facebook

Follow SMP on Instagram

Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book

Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics

The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/

Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/

Business by...

Marketing isn’t just an expense, it’s the key to growth. In this episode, host Brian Walker talks with Chris Cotton live from Vision about how strategic marketing has fueled massive revenue growth in his newly acquired shop.

Chris shares why he’s dedicating a significant budget to Google Ads, SEO, and Facebook brand-building and how Local Service Ads (LSAs) are bringing in high-quality leads at a low cost. They discuss the role of smart marketing investments, Google rankings, and paid advertising in driving long-term success.

If you want to know how much you should be spending on marketing and how to make every dollar work for you, tune in now and learn how to scale your shop with the right strategies!

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.

Are you ready to convert clients to members? App fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build client loyalty. Get started today with your own customer loyalty app. Visit Appfueled.com

Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)

Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton

Google’s New Local Service Ads: What Auto Repair Shops Need to Know

How To Get In Touch With the Guest

Chris Cotton - Autofix auto shop coaching

Linkedin

Show Notes with Timestamps

How To Get In Touch

Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook

Meet The Pros

Follow SMP on Facebook

Follow SMP on Instagram

Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book

Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics

Brian and Parker dive into how strategic marketing investment can drive real growth for auto repair shops. Parker shares how increasing his marketing spend transformed his business, leading to record-breaking profits and industry recognition. They discuss why many shop owners hesitate to spend more on marketing and how cutting back can actually slow growth.

They break down the balance between brand-building and direct response marketing, highlighting how both contribute to long-term success. Parker shares insights from industry peer groups and how analyzing successful shops’ financials helped him refine his own strategy. They also explore how even small adjustments in marketing spend can make a big impact.

They explain what it takes to turn marketing into a growth engine, from increasing car count to boosting profitability. With real-world insights and proven strategies, they make the case for why now is the time for shop owners to commit to smarter marketing investments.

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)

VISION Hi-Tech Training & Expo

Show Notes with Timestamps

How To Get In Touch

Join The Auto Repair Marketing Mastermind Group on Facebook

Meet The Pros

Follow SMP on Facebook

Follow SMP on Instagram

Get The Ultimate Guide to Auto Repair Shop Marketing Book

Email Us Podcast Questions or Topics

Thanks again for listening to The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast on Aftermarket Radio Network. There are some other great shows on the network and you can find them at AftermarketRadioNetwork.com or on your favorite podcast listening apps like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and many others

Thanks to our Partners,

RepairPal at https://repairpal.com/shops. Quality Car Repair. Fair Price Guarantee.

App Fueled at appfueled.com. “Are you ready to convert clients to members? AppFueled™ specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for auto repair businesses. Build your first app like a pro.”

Aftermarket Radio Network

Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion