Keep Your Audience Interested by Providing Fresh Content

Adding new content to your website is an important factor in SEO success. Blogging is a great way to add content and should provide information to the interested folks checking out your website. It should show that you and your team know your stuff. Blogging may sound overwhelming, but there are many different types of blog post formats, that it really should be somewhat easy to write unique, informational or entertaining content. Take time to think about what types of blogs match best with your shop’s philosophy and skillset. Below are several suggestions for formats of posts to keep your blog fresh.

1. How-To’s / Tutorials

How-to guides are a great way to show customers a maintenance process step by step. And after all, you’re the auto repair expert! If it’s important to your customer and it’s something they can do at home, show them how to do it. By doing this, your shop is providing an extra value to the customer.

For example, if you can help your customers extend the life of their engine by showing them how to properly check their oil, they will want to return. You are offering service right off the bat, and customers appreciate that. If you are having a hard time deciding what topic should to start on, think basic maintenance. Some great how-to’s that can get you started include:

• Checking tire pressure
• Understanding the numbers on the tire
• Caring for leather seats and installing new wiper blades

Empower your customers with a library of tutorials, and they will thank you by coming to your shop first for your mechanics’ expertise.

2. Checklists

Preparation is key in your shop as well as for the customer. Creating a checklist for customers gives them a heads up for what to be aware of. Let your customers know what they should be aware of so they will be prepared.  Is it almost winter?

IDEA: Include a checklist that includes a special offer to come into your shop for a winter vehicle inspection on their vehicle. The checklist could list what items to always keep in your car during the cold winter months as well as car maintenance to check on before the cold comes:

• Ice scraper
• Anti-freeze
• Tire tread
• Tire pressure
• Heater
• Thermal blanket

A checklist leaves your patients with a takeaway and keeps them aware and focused for what’s to come in a simple, useful and convenient manner.

3. Video: Instructional or Introductory

Videos are an engaging way to connect with customers while providing rich content for Google to better rank your site. Videos can be used as instructional or introductory tools. Show how your shop works, introduce your shop to the world or produce a how-to video. While creating a beautiful video does take some practice, you may be surprised by some of your employees’ talents. Ask your employees if any of them feel comfortable in front of the camera, or see if any of them have had prior experience creating videos. Couple this with the fact that there are many video editing softwares and apps that are available for download, it should be easier than ever to introduce your shop to your city.

A video is a win-win-win. It provides value to customers, drives traffic to your website and it is promoting your shop’s brand. Why not give it a shot?

4. Customer Interview

Your shop knows the importance of word-of-mouth. People talk about the great work that your shop does; that alone created your shop’s foundation. Not long ago, word-of-mouth could only be found at a lunch meeting or work, but now it can now be readily found online on third-party review websites such as Angie’s List or Yelp.

Here’s a secret: you can help to generate online what is still seen as traditional word-of-mouth. By interviewing loyal, charismatic customers, you can showcase to potential customers how your clients feel after an unbeatable experience at your shop. People want reasons to connect with your shop. By giving them a face or story they can relate to, customers can’t help but to give your shop a call.

5. Personal Spotlight

A blog provides a personal voice to your brand and shop. How many times have you talked with a sales rep over the phone and when you’ve met him you say, “It’s good to finally put a face to the voice.” In the same way, a blog provides a personal voice to your brand and shop. Highlight the people that are the heart and soul of your shop – your employees. A customer wants to trust the people working on their car, what is likely their most expensive asset after their home. Provide customers every reasonable opportunity to trust your shop by showcasing the best staff around.

By implementing these different formats in your blogging strategy, you will be able to create a blog that people will engage with and want to come back and visit. Trust us, by adding new content to your website, new customers will hear about your practice and your business will start to grow.

Do you want to grow your shop?

Scan your website today for a full report that will provide insight into how your can find more customers online!