Anyone in the Automotive Business?

**InsomnicBrain** · 09-04-2008 05:18 PM

Hi,

I'm about a month into my new business. Broke even my first month but that was because I had a low overhead. My overhead for my second month is much higher.

Anyone have any tips for me on how to advertise and bring in more cars to meet my new overhead?

Thanks...Robert

**rogercbryan** · 09-04-2008 07:23 PM

I work in the automotive business.. I don't understand your question... what type of business are you running?

**InsomnicBrain** · 09-04-2008 10:55 PM

Thanks for responding to my thread. This forum can always count on you! I'm running a transmission and genral repair shop. I have been open now for about a month. My expenses for my first month were low and I broke even.

My expenses for my second month are a lot of higher. How would I be able to grow my business to make up for the higher expenses. I'm scared that my income for my second month won't get any higher than my first.

How do you advertise?

Thanks...Robert

**dmetcalf50** · 09-05-2008 12:24 AM

Quick statistic, 92% of Americans search the internet for products and services they want to buy/use.

I would suggest getting a simple website only will cost you $15 a month or so and invest into some google adwords. I have a junk removal business and I generate 90% of my business that way. Consumers want the best deal possible and advertising with the google could be huge for you. It's not everyday that I pass a transmission shop so I would definitely hit google to find a place. It's fairly cheap because its ppc so you know that the people clicking on your ad are looking for your service.

The only other thing I would say is like putting advertisement on your vehicle and such but most everything these days is internet based. Good luck!

**rogercbryan** · 09-05-2008 09:51 AM

Originally Posted by InsomnicBrain

Thanks for responding to my thread. This forum can always count on you! I'm running a transmission and genral repair shop. I have been open now for about a month. My expenses for my first month were low and I broke even.

My expenses for my second month are a lot of higher. How would I be able to grow my business to make up for the higher expenses. I'm scared that my income for my second month won't get any higher than my first.

How do you advertise?

Thanks...Robert

WOM- Word of Mouth. Create a discount program for all the local dealerships. Then create a membership program for all your regular customers. There is tracking software out there that will help you to manage your contacts. When someone comes in for an oil change you need to enter them into a marketing database so that you know to send them a coupon in three months for a discounted oil change.

There are two types of customers- New and Repeat. A successful business needs to be able to cultivate new customers but also retain old customers. If you piss off a customer they will tell 10 people about how bad you did. If you make one customer happy they will tell 2 people about how well you did. Referral programs, discount programs, and reminder notices will get your business going and keep it going.... good luck

**Paul.Philips** · 09-05-2008 10:18 AM

Anyone have any tips for me on how to advertise and bring in more cars to meet my new overhead?

Best way would be email Campaigns.
for more info you can call me @ 281 657 6724

**lukedawg** · 09-05-2008 11:16 AM

I am currently in the auto business and I have been since the age 18. I think you will find that the most effective way to gain business besides Word Of Mouth, is to market directly to your clientel. In my experience the type of people that are going to need someone like you to fix their car, are mid to lower income people who are driving and rely on their older vehicles which often need repair. Not those who drive newer cars and have a warranty....Right ? So try to determine the best way to get those types of people to "see your Ads." Try publications that the average Joe will always see...Like your local pennysaver, or clipper magazine, you know, the free newspaper that gets delivered to everyones home. It will be a minimal expense for you to put a small business card size ad in there, and that paper gets sent to everyone. And for those of you who think no-one reads it, you are probably one of the folks driving a newer car under warranty.

Also, try an A-Frame, a small fold up sign in front of your store, but remember it has to have something on it that will make people STOP! Something Like "FREE INSPECTIONS TODAY !" and then just upsell your people to a brake job or tranny flush to cover the cost of the sticker.

These are just some ideas, the bottom line is, MARKET YOURSELF TO THE PEOPLE WHO WILL MOST LIKELY BE HANDING YOU MONEY....after all, we are in this to make a buck right ?

GOOD LUCK, HOPE THIS HELPED

**InsomnicBrain** · 09-05-2008 02:25 PM

Thanks everyone! The replies are very helpful!

**rogercbryan** · 09-05-2008 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by Paul.Philips

Anyone have any tips for me on how to advertise and bring in more cars to meet my new overhead?

Best way would be email Campaigns.
for more info you can call me @ 281 657 6724

email campaigns to unsolicited customers in this industry is a waste of time and money... I've done it so this is based on my experience.

**rogercbryan** · 09-05-2008 03:05 PM

Originally Posted by lukedawg

I am currently in the auto business and I have been since the age 18. I think you will find that the most effective way to gain business besides Word Of Mouth, is to market directly to your clientel. In my experience the type of people that are going to need someone like you to fix their car, are mid to lower income people who are driving and rely on their older vehicles which often need repair. Not those who drive newer cars and have a warranty....Right ? So try to determine the best way to get those types of people to "see your Ads." Try publications that the average Joe will always see...Like your local pennysaver, or clipper magazine, you know, the free newspaper that gets delivered to everyones home. It will be a minimal expense for you to put a small business card size ad in there, and that paper gets sent to everyone. And for those of you who think no-one reads it, you are probably one of the folks driving a newer car under warranty.

Also, try an A-Frame, a small fold up sign in front of your store, but remember it has to have something on it that will make people STOP! Something Like "FREE INSPECTIONS TODAY !" and then just upsell your people to a brake job or tranny flush to cover the cost of the sticker.

These are just some ideas, the bottom line is, MARKET YOURSELF TO THE PEOPLE WHO WILL MOST LIKELY BE HANDING YOU MONEY....after all, we are in this to make a buck right ?

GOOD LUCK, HOPE THIS HELPED

Not a bad post.. the costs vary by market. In Washington, DC a small print ad can run you $700 a day. In Cleveland, OH you can get the same ad for $500 per week. The penny saver is not a bad idea but that can run about $4000 per month. The free newspaper would be cheaper but may hit the wrong demographic.

His market is about 80% of the cars on the road. So you do not want to limit your appeal. What you need is constant business which will come from dealerships before it will any place else. This should cost you next to nothing. You can print out a simple flier from your computer and then spend one day a week for the next few months going to each dealership. DO NOT MAIL IT IN... anyone can do that. Be different... give them a personal approach. Get them to trust and know you.

If you have an auto auction in your area they are a gold mine of constant business. Go after them with all you got. If you give me your zip code I'll tell you all the auctions in your area.

Special services will go a long way. I know before you started your company you did a market analysis on the five most prominent competitors (actually I'm sure you didn't but I bet you will now). What do they offer that you don't? What can you do better (or cheaper) then they can?

**lukedawg** · 09-05-2008 03:37 PM

+1

I agree one hundred percent with the dealer and auction idea.......

With these last two posts, I would imagine if you put the info to good use, and be persistent, you should get great results.........

G O O D L U C K

**spartanic** · 09-08-2008 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by InsomnicBrain

Hi,

I'm about a month into my new business. Broke even my first month but that was because I had a low overhead. My overhead for my second month is much higher.

Anyone have any tips for me on how to advertise and bring in more cars to meet my new overhead?

Thanks...Robert

Get someone you trust to come on board. That way you can focus on running your shop while someone else markets the business. Many business fail because after they have built their business they don't put a lot of effort towards marketing.

**impressive** · 09-08-2008 08:33 PM

try craigslist under jobs offered. I get a ton of business off that site and its free!

**InsomnicBrain** · 09-09-2008 02:04 AM

Great advice! Anymore? Keep them coming. They are very helpful!

I have found out that other franchise owners have been interferring in my marketing! They want me to go downhill so that they can come in and buy me out when im almost out of business. They have phone numbers setup online, advertising as my franchise and then having the numbers fowarded to their shop. This industry is very cuthroat!

**rogercbryan** · 09-09-2008 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by InsomnicBrain

Great advice! Anymore? Keep them coming. They are very helpful!

I have found out that other franchise owners have been interferring in my marketing! They want me to go downhill so that they can come in and buy me out when im almost out of business. They have phone numbers setup online, advertising as my franchise and then having the numbers fowarded to their shop. This industry is very cuthroat!

Every industry is cut throat. It is easy to redirect clients online. It's done a lot in the charity industry where we each optimize our sites for our competitors names.