Facebook, Twitter, Skype and Collision Repair?

You might be asking how collision repair fits in with social media and Skype, and you would not be the only one asking that. In the past year as a social media specialist, it is easy to see that social media is good for any company, even an auto body shop.

The hardest part about doing social media for an auto body shop is proving the worth to the shop owner. Many shop owners whom I have talked to have not used either Facebook or Twitter on their own accord let alone in a business setting. Needless to say, when confronting auto body shop owners and telling them that they need to use these social platforms, you might expect to get some confused faces and questioning eyes.

It is important to let these owners know the overall importance of social media for business. Social media is the new website for businesses. Ten years ago businesses may have had a website, or they may not have had one. Now that it is 2013, if you do not have a website, then you may not be found...ever. It seems that now, almost as with websites, that consumers will look to find and "like" a businesses Facebook fan page either before or immediately after they find their website. Needless to say, it is an important asset to have for all types of businesses.

"How does Skype fit into this?"

Well, I am glad you asked. The auto body and collision repair industry is having to keep up with the times, just as any business has to. These businesses are now turning to Skype to do estimates for customers. This is an idea that is brilliant but can also be intimidating for shop owners. If they are not used to the technology then they have to not only learn it but feel comfortable enough to be able offer it as a service.

The newest technologies are great for all types of businesses but it has become apparent that social media and systems like Skype can be very useful for businesses like auto body shops but it takes time for some owners to feel comfortable with the idea before they will implement them. So it is up to a person like me to show them that they are not scary and that they can be very useful to CONNECT with their patrons on a level that they have never known before.