The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledA new auto repair shop opens down the street. Your first reaction might be panic, frustration, or maybe a little bit of, “Seriously? Another one?” But what if competition isn't something to fear? What if it's actually the thing that wakes you up and helps you see your shop with a fresh set of eyes?In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Kim Walker talks about what happens when a new shop enters your market and why competition can be a powerful motivator instead of an obsession. From dirt...

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledWhat if the problem with your marketing isn’t your marketing?What if the phones are actually ringing, but your service advisors are letting the opportunities walk right back out the door?That’s one of the big ideas we dig into with Husein Grabic, who is doing some pretty unconventional things at his three auto repair shops. Hussein is listening to new-customer phone calls, identifying the objections that are costing his shops business, training his service advisors with mock “ring ring” calls, and pushing his teams well outside...

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledThe world is churning. Business is changing. Car counts are down for a lot of shops, customers are feeling the squeeze, and it seems like everybody is getting kicked while they’re down.But here’s the thing: none of that is an excuse.In this episode of the Auto Repair Marketing Podcast, Brian Walker and Chris Cotton talk about what it really means to operate your shop when things get slow. They talk about planning for predictable slow periods, making the most of every car that comes thro...

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledTrust is becoming the currency of search, and auto repair shops that are willing to educate their customers are going to have a serious advantage.Brian Walker sits down with Shop Marketing Pros CMO Caroline Estess to dig into Marcus Sheridan’s Endless Customers methodology and what it looks like when applied to an auto repair shop. They get into some of the things that make shop owners uncomfortable like talking about pricing, diagnostic fees, competitors, and the questions customers are already asking before they ever pick up the phone....

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledSEO can easily turn into a game of watching rankings, reporting what happened, and waiting to see what happens next. But what if there was a better way to know exactly when it’s time to stop focusing on one keyword and start going after the next opportunity?Brian Walker sits down with Shop Marketing Pros Director of SEO Michelle Travis to break down the new SMP Proactive Keyword Lifecycle System and how it changes SEO from reactive to proactive. They dig into how keywords are discovered, qualified, accelerated, validated, an...

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledSEO can easily turn into a game of watching rankings, reporting what happened, and waiting to see what happens next. But what if there was a better way to know exactly when it’s time to stop focusing on one keyword and start going after the next opportunity?Brian Walker sits down with Shop Marketing Pros Director of SEO Michelle Travis to break down the new SMP Proactive Keyword Lifecycle System and how it changes SEO from reactive to proactive. They dig into how keywords are discovered, qualified, accelerated, validated, an...

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledAlaska may be known for its breathtaking scenery and extreme conditions, but running a successful auto repair shop there comes with challenges that most shop owners in the Lower 48 never have to consider. In this conversation, Brian and Kim sit down with Robert Wright of 1023 Diesel & Fleet in Palmer, Alaska, to explore what it's really like to own and grow a shop in one of the most unique automotive markets in the country. From marketing in remote communities and building a strong shop culture to navigating harsh winters, seasonal demand, staffing, and...

Thanks to our Partner, AppFueledToo many shop owners start their businesses because they're great at fixing cars, not because they're accountants, tax experts, or financial strategists. Unfortunately, that's where a lot of costly mistakes begin.Brian sits down with Eric Joern of Kaizen CPAs for an honest conversation about the financial side of running an auto repair shop. From common bookkeeping mistakes and tax planning myths to the real difference between a bookkeeper, CPA, and fractional CFO, this episode is packed with practical advice that can help you build a stronger, more profitable business...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledJoe Marconi believes one of the biggest mistakes auto repair shop owners make is assuming that more advertising will solve declining car count. In reality, marketing can make the phone ring, but what happens after a customer walks through the door determines whether they'll ever come back. Brian Walker and Joe dive into the critical difference between customer acquisition and retention, why hospitality should be at the center of every auto repair shop, and how internal processes, culture, leadership, and customer experience ultimately drive long-term growth. If you've ever...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledEvery day, auto repair shops leave valuable marketing opportunities on the table without even realizing it. From missing website essentials and weak SEO to underperforming Google Ads, Local Service Ads, and inconsistent social media, Kim Walker and Shop Marketing Pros' Market Service Advisor Michael Doherty break down the most common issues uncovered during digital marketing inspections. They explain why these overlooked details matter, how they impact your visibility and growth, and the practical steps you can take to fix them. If you want more qualified customers finding and choosing...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledWinning the Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo Best Place to Work Award isn't something that happens by accident. It’s the result of years of intentionally building a culture where people want to come to work, grow, and succeed.In this conversation, Brian and Kim sit down with Matt Mevert of Mevert Automotive & Tire Center to unpack what it really takes to create an award-winning workplace. Matt shares the emotional story behind receiving the recognition, explains why culture has to be designed, not left to chance, and discusses th...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledHave you ever looked at a customer who spent thousands with you, loved your shop, left great reviews... and then just disappeared? You know- that head-scratching moment. We’re going to unpack it for you today!Kim Walker explores the real reasons loyal customers disappear after what seemed like a great visit and shares seven practical insights to help auto repair shop owners create memorable experiences that keep clients coming back. From strengthening follow-up systems and building genuine relationships to creating emotional connections that extend beyond the re...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledThis week, Caroline Legrand and Hallie Wasinger take over the mic to break down one of Meta's biggest changes for businesses in years: Meta One. They explain what this new subscription service is, how it differs from Meta Verified, and what it could mean for auto repair shop owners who rely on Facebook and Instagram for marketing. From enhanced account protection and advanced analytics to increased visibility and AI-powered features, they discuss which shops may benefit, which features are worth watching, and why being an early adopter could provide...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledToday, we're tackling a challenge that almost every shop owner faces. You know social media is important. You know your marketing performs better when it's authentic and showcases your people, your culture, and the incredible work happening inside your shop every day. But somewhere between the excitement of getting started and the reality of running a busy shop, the photos stop coming, the videos stop coming, and suddenly your marketing team is chasing you for content.The good news? Creating great content doesn't have to be complicated...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledAI is moving fast, but most shop owners are still trying to figure out where it actually fits into their business. Joe Schindler has gone far beyond experimenting with ChatGPT and is putting AI to work in ways that save time, improve processes, and create better experiences for both customers and employees.In this conversation, Joe joins Brian Walker to share how he's using AI-powered tools inside his shop, from predictive maintenance scheduling and call analysis to custom-built AI agents that act as digital assistants. They also...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledSome shops sponsor a Little League team and call it community involvement. Others build their entire business around serving people.Patrick Weidman and Jean Bradley have spent decades creating a culture where giving back is simply part of how they do business. From Ladies’ Night educational events and teen driver workshops to supporting local food pantries, cancer research, and holiday giving programs, their commitment to the community has become one of the biggest drivers of trust, loyalty, and long-term growth.What started with lessons learned fr...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledLet’s be real. Your team probably needs a break more than they need another meeting.Brian and Kim Walker talk about their fifth annual team retreat, why they intentionally do almost no work during it, and how getting away together has helped their remote team reconnect, rest, laugh, and build real culture. Whether you take your shop team to the beach, the mountains, a conference Airbnb, or just your backyard for a barbecue, this episode will get you thinking about what it looks like to truly re...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledAI isn’t just changing SEO. It’s changing the way people choose an auto repair shop.Brian Walker sits down with Michelle Travis to talk through what shop owners need to understand about AI-first SEO, zero-click search, brand trust, reviews, content depth, and why website traffic may go down while lead quality goes up. They also dig into why the old SEO foundations still matter, why AI cares about your brand across the web, and why chasing every shiny new AI tactic is a mistake.Li...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledAI is no longer something that’s “coming.” It’s already changing the way auto repair shops get discovered, build trust, and attract high-value clients. In this conversation, Brian Walker sits down with Doug DeLucca and Chris Luoma to talk about what happens when an auto repair shop embraces an AI-first SEO strategy and starts creating the kind of content AI platforms actually want to recommend.From ChatGPT and Claude to Grok and Gemini, both shop owners share real stories of customers finding their businesses through AI searches...

Thanks to our Partners, Shop Boss and AppFueledLet’s be real, nothing feels better than when your marketing is firing on all cylinders. Phones ringing, bays full, your team moving fast. And then… it just stops.No warning. No clear reason. Same budget, same ads, same strategy but the results? Gone.In this episode, Kim Walker breaks down exactly why that happens and, more importantly, what to do about it. She walks through the real lifecycle of marketing, from the early wins of launch, to the momentum of growth, to the frustrating plat...