There are four core aspects of business development in auto repair: in-person, email, phone, and social selling. In-person relationships will always matter most, but they only scale so far. Harris Fanaroff, founder and CEO of Linked Revenue, explains that shops lean on email because it is easy, avoid cold calls because they are uncomfortable, and dismiss LinkedIn because it feels difficult to master. That blind spot is costing shops real opportunities to build trust and grow.

In this episode of Maximum Octane, Kim Hickey and Jason Patel sit down with Harris Fanaroff to break down what he calls the fourth route to market. Harris explains why LinkedIn works differently from other platforms, why executives and ideal customers already live there, and why most shops completely ignore it. He shares a practical blueprint for using LinkedIn to stay top of mind, attract higher-quality customers, recruit better talent, and build genuine relationships without sending generic messages or relying on automation.

The conversation delves into founder-led content, why authenticity matters more than volume, and how consistent thought leadership distinguishes shops that blend in from those that stand out. Harris also explains how to track real ROI from LinkedIn activity, why AI should support your voice instead of replacing it, and how a shop owner can dominate a local market simply by showing up where competitors refuse to spend time.

Tune in to episode 136 of Maximum Octane if you are tired of crowded marketing channels and want a smarter way to reach the right customers. Let us help you change how you think about LinkedIn and your role as a shop owner.

04:50 The four routes to business development and why LinkedIn is the most underused

06:30 Why most sales teams over-rely on email and avoid harder but better channels

07:20 How consistent LinkedIn content creates long-term separation from competitors

08:15 Why your ideal auto repair customers already spend time on LinkedIn

10:00 How LinkedIn supports both customer acquisition and technician recruiting

11:05 A simple local LinkedIn strategy shop owners can implement immediately

12:10 Why connecting with local executives beats mass marketing every time

14:30 How LinkedIn replaces old school networking groups at scale

17:05 Why founder-led content outperforms generic shop marketing

19:10 How Harris creates content without ghostwriting or losing authenticity

20:30 The three parts of a LinkedIn system that actually produce ROI

22:30 Why tracking real people matters more than vanity metrics

25:00 The right way to use AI without sounding fake

27:15 Why most shops quit too early and never see results

32:15 Why holiday posts do nothing and executive visibility changes everything

Connect with Harris Fanaroff:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• X

Let's connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: info@maximumoctane.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most shop owners think their hiring problem is a technician shortage. According to Matthew Strom, founder of AutoShop Media, the real issue is visibility, messaging, and how shops present themselves in a crowded market.

In this episode of Maximum Octane, Jason Patel sits down with Matthew to unpack what is actually working in automotive marketing and technician recruitment right now. Matthew shares how his company shifted from customer marketing to technician hiring in 2020, why most job ads blend into the noise, and how shops can stand out without massive budgets or polished production.

The conversation digs into why proof matters more than promises, how video has become the most effective hiring tool, and why technicians respond to clarity over buzzwords. Matthew explains how data from thousands of ads reveals what technicians actually care about, from pay structure and growth paths to shop culture and leadership consistency.

They also explore the hidden leaks in most hiring processes, including missed interviews, slow follow-ups, and unclear expectations that push good candidates away. Matthew outlines simple changes shops can make today to improve response rates, treat applicants like customers, and build a hiring system that works even in competitive or rural markets.

Tune in to episode 135 of Maximum Octane If you are struggling to attract or retain technicians, or you feel like your marketing efforts are not converting.

Episode Takeaways:

04:30 Why desperation during COVID led to a smarter hiring strategy

06:50 Why proof beats polished marketing in today’s attention economy

09:50 What video ads communicate that job descriptions never can

11:35 How to restructure job ads so technicians actually read them

14:20 Why unclear pay plans kill motivation before day one

18:55 The data behind why social media outperforms job boards for hiring

22:25 How algorithm training impacts who actually sees your ads

25:50 Why long interview processes cost shops their best candidates

30:30 What shops in rural or competitive markets must do differently

38:05 Three immediate changes every shop can make to improve hiring results

Connect with Matt Strom:

• Facebook
• Auto Shop Media website
• Phone: 760-990-1692
• Email: support@autoshopmedia.com

Let's connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: info@maximumoctane.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most shop owners do not fail at marketing because they lack effort. They fail because their efforts have no clear purpose behind them. According to Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, CEO and founder of Turnkey Marketing, effective marketing is not about doing more. It is about doing the right things with intent, strategy, and a measurable goal.

In this episode of Maximum Octane, Kim Hickey and Jason Patel sit down with Carrie-Lynn to break down how shop owners can move away from reactive marketing and build campaigns that are aligned with who they are, where they operate, and what they want to achieve. Carrie-Lynn explains why shops waste money on random tactics, why “just doing what your buddy does” never works, and how to define what you want before you spend a dollar.

She also shares how Turnkey acts as a true director of marketing for shops, coordinating vendors, reviewing results, listening to calls, and helping owners stay focused on their strengths while the strategy gets handled. The conversation goes into real human psychology, why customers choose one shop over another, and how to attract the right people by understanding what they actually respond to.

Tune in to episode 134 of Maximum Octane if you want to learn how to do marketing that brings in cars, builds trust, and supports the life you want outside the shop.

Episode Takeaways:

4:10 Why most marketing fails when it starts without a clear goal

7:20 How Turnkey acts as a true director of marketing for shop owners

9:45 Why location, personality, and community involvement change your strategy

12:10 How to turn a difficult location into a destination

14:40 How human psychology shapes every marketing decision

17:00 Why cost, convenience, and clarity matter more than shop owners think

20:30 Why discounts only work when they are intentional and trackable

22:10 How high-end brands use specials without becoming discount shops

25:40 Why marketing only works if your shop has the processes to back it up

28:50 The real purpose of an irresistible offer and how to use it responsibly

33:10 Why shops with strong systems should not fear a low-cost oil change

34:25 How to bring in the right customers instead of more random customers

Connect with Carrie-Lynn:

• LinkedIn
• Turnkey Marketing
• Follow Turnkey Marketing on Instagram
• Connect with Turnkey Marketing on Facebook
• Turnkey Marketing on X

Let's connect:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Email: info@maximumoctane.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.