Now that you know what social media is all about, let's move on to learn how we can use it to benefit your shop.

Let's start with Facebook. We can take advantage of this free resource to help us build stronger relationships between you and your customers. Creating an effective Facebook page is easy, just follow these steps:

1. Open an account and set up your business page.

• Go to https://www.facebook.com/ and fill out the form with your name, email, etc.
• Find friends by entering your email or Skip the Step (bottom right corner)
• Enter profile information and upload a picture of yourself or shop (optional)
• You will be sent to the main feed page next, where you can click "Create Page" under "Pages" in the left hand column
• Select the local business or place option and enter your shop's information

Putting Your Facebook Page to Work.

Now that your Facebook page is set up, it's time to add content. The MechanicNet apps are a good start and we will be happy to help you add them to your new page.

2. Content. Many people struggle with this step. How do I create or find content that my customers will like?

• https://www.facebook.com/bobbyandstevesautoworld
• https://www.facebook.com/SacEurotech
• https://www.facebook.com/JKAutomotiveCamarillo
• https://www.facebook.com/EagleTireCompleteAutomotiveRepair
• https://www.facebook.com/ProTechTireAuto

Remember, copying is the highest form of flattery! Chances are that content that works for them will work for you. Of course, keep it personal, as in SOCIAL. Here are some examples of content that we think works:

• Fun Contests – Send a picture of your favorite car
• Local Events – Especially if you are participating or sponsoring
• Education – Ladies Night at the shop

3. Best Practices. Check out local mechanic shops in your area to get ideas. If they have a lot of followers, check out what types of postings their customers respond to and what type of content they post in general. This can be a great start to get ideas to create your own content.

Again, you never have to write a single thing – unless you're giving back to the community or advertising specialty training – post that. Humour is popular, but steer clear of political or religious topics; you don't want to ostracize any customers. This should be enough information to help you get started, and if not, contact your Marketing Experts at MNG for help. As mentioned, "Like" our page – we're constantly posting, so it will be easy to start sharing our content and get a jump start!

Click here https://www.facebook.com/MechanicNet get to MNG's Facebook page.

Posted on October 8th by Jesse Deol

Countless businesses have turned to social media to connect with more people and advertise their organization—how about you? Have you tried social media?

Many of those who have tried social media started with Facebook, worth a couple hundred billion dollars and the most popular social media site out there. Facebook is a safe choice with benefits that include: increased exposure to potential customers, building customer loyalty, and increased sales.

Getting started is easy, but before we do, let's cover some social media basics.

1. Social media is not about advertising or direct sales; it is about connecting people. Customers will be drawn to your site if you have interesting content that is unique to your shop. This can include a number of things, such as news about your employees, customers, and local community; fun contests; new services that benefit your customers; or shop events that benefit your customers. A good example is the Facebook page of Bobby and Steve's Auto World at https://www.facebook.com/bobbyandstevesautoworld. Their Facebook page is well done with content that is relevant to their customers.
2. Running a social media site takes time. Content must be fresh and updated often. Yes, you can hire a service to maintain your Facebook page but that will only work if the service understands your business and your customers.
3. Promote your site and encourage your users to "Like" your page. The primary benefit of any social media site is the ability to network. The larger your network, the wider audience you will reach.
4. Review your stats. Facebook provides a monthly report card telling you how many people have visited your site.

Next month, we will show you how to create a Facebook page that your customer will love. In the meantime, please go to our Facebook page and "Like" us: https://www.facebook.com/MechanicNet. Not only will you learn about upcoming MechanicNet promotions, but you will find content that you can add to your new site. Stay tuned for Part II.

Posted on Friday, Sept 5th by Jesse Deol

You may have already be using on-line appointment scheduling with MechanicNet, but here are some tips and tricks for getting the most out of the MCal Service Calendar:

Promote

• Make sure that your website promotes on-line appointments. We recommend putting the Request Appointment button at the top of your website and on any custom pages you add.

Change behavior

• Booking on-line is easier for the customers and for your staff. Consider offering an incentive for booking appointments on-line. Once your customers see how convenient it is to book on-line they will thank you for this new service.

Capture more business

• Don't miss out on a job because your shop is closed. With on-line appointments your consumers can book appointments 24/7. No phone tag, and no frustration. Our automatic response gets back to the customer in seconds.

Keep your customer in the informed

• MCal keeps your customer in the loop! You and your clients automatically get an email update when appointments are booked, changed or cancelled. Once you confirm the appointments in the calendar, your clients will receive an appointment alert the day before their scheduled service.

Of course, the MCal Service Calendar is easy to use and manage.

If you aren't already utilizing the appointment system offered by MechanicNet, call your marketing experts. There's no reason to miss out on potential profit, so contact us today!

Posted on Friday, Sept 5th by Jesse Deol

Technology opens the doors to convenience, efficiency, and profitability—a perfect example is online appointment scheduling. Here are just a few of the many benefits of online appointment scheduling:

View your appointments anywhere, anytime

• Why limit access to your schedule with a paper-based appointment calendar or a single computer? An online appointment system grants you more convenience by allowing you to access your schedule from any internet connection.

Reduce labor

• An online appointment scheduler frees up time for your service writers and techs to provide better quality service to clients in the shop since it does the work for you.

Capture more business

• Don't miss out on a job because your shop is closed. With on-line appointments your consumers can book appointments 24/7. No phone tag, and no frustration. Our automatic response gets back to the customer in seconds.

Customer friendly

• Clients can request appointments at their convenience 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• They do not have to sit on-hold, waiting to book an appointment.

Reduces no-shows

• MCal automatically sends email reminders to your clients to remind them about the upcoming appointment. Plus, they have enough time and the ability to reschedule as needed, opening up the time slot for a different client. Decreasing no-shows increases shop efficiency and profits.
• Most customers consider a booked appointment as a commitment and are less likely to stray to the competition. Make sure you have your online scheduling system set up – if not, call your marketing experts at MechanicNet to get set up!

Posted on Friday, Sept 5th by Jesse Deol

Do you ever wonder why a good customer stopped coming in for service? Did he move away, sell his car or, heaven forbid, go to the competition? In fact, most shops lose a significant number of customers every year, and most don't know they are gone until it is too late.

You don't have to bid your lost customers farewell forever. MechanicNet's new Customer Recovery program tracks customer visits, spotting regular customers that have stopped coming in while there is still time to bring them back. Then the program automatically sends a "We Miss You" promotion to these customers giving them a reason to schedule their next service at your shop.

Bringing back these customers just makes economic sense. Our data tells us that a regular customer is worth an average of $936 in revenue per year. In contrast, a one-time customer generates only $260 in revenue. Enrolling in our program can help lost customers find their way back to you. Even retrieving a mere 25 lost customers is gaining $23,400 in revenue!

Your experts at MechanicNet Group have developed a Customer Recovery Program to help recapture your repeat clients. It's easy to enroll and your promotions will be sent out automatically on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending upon your needs. The control is in your hands – stop losing customers!

What are you waiting for? Sign up today and gain the revenue you deserve!

Posted on Friday, Sept 5th by Jesse Deol