You already know that there is more to auto repair marketing than simply hanging out a shingle and hoping for the best. Local competition is fierce, specialization creates leads, and social media engagement with the consumer is no longer optional. But if you are not yet up-to-date on blogging for marketing purposes, you are still losing out on leads.
Wrong Approaches to Blogging
You don’t have to be Shakespeare to put together an engaging blog post. There are, however, some pitfalls to avoid.
For starters, don’t follow a boilerplate approach that makes every post blend in with the next. Readers want variety and new ideas that they can actually use.
Another mistake is reposting common or widely known ideas. For example, you don’t need to write a post about why it’s important to change the oil in your car. Every car owner knows this, and they’re probably not visiting your blog to read something they already know. Your readers won’t see any value in your content, and search engines will not recognize it as unique.
How to Blog for Auto Repair Marketing in 4 Steps
Now that we have covered what not to do, here are the steps that promise success.
- Blog frequently and consistently. Brief 250-word posts a couple of times a day is good. Three 500-word posts per week is another good approach. Whatever you decide, do your best to stick with it.
- Include links. If you have followed our general advice about adding video content, include links to tutorials and similar videos in your blogs. When tracking your website visitors’ behaviors, you will notice that more clicks originate from organic links than from paid ads.
- Vary content. Feature how-to content, offer product reviews, provide a first-person experience with a tool or vehicle, and do not shy away from self-promotion. As long as you vary the content, the blog not only gives you search engine ranking points but also garners new readers, who easily turn into customers.
- Write for your audience. Who is the ideal customer to visit your repair shop? Where do they live? What are they interested in reading? What are they searching for when they’re looking for auto repair information? This group is the audience you write for. Target your content (and keywords) to reach this group online.
Blog Idea: Professional Memberships
A great starting point for your blog is your shop’s certification. RepairPal-certified professionals comply with stringent quality control protocols, which builds trust with consumers and greater interest in your business. If you are not certified, contact us today to find out what it takes—and then blog about it!
