EPISODE: 148 – A Genius Move – Playing Games With Your Community
Want to create marketing that actually excites your customers and keeps them coming back for more? In this episode, host Brian Walker and co-host Kim Walker sit down with Robert Morton from Panhandle Eurotech to uncover how a simple treasure hunt turned into a marketing powerhouse, boosting website traffic, improving SEO rankings, and creating a stronger connection with their community.
Robert shares how his shop designed a treasure hunt that got people actively searching for clues, engaging with their website, and following their business more closely than ever before. From increasing customer interaction to enhancing their shop’s online visibility, this strategy has proven to be a game-changer.
You’ll hear wild stories from past treasure hunts, how people got hooked, and why this strategy keeps working time and time again. Plus, we dive into the impact of gamification, creative ways to engage your audience, and how to build a marketing strategy that actually works for your shop.
Don’t miss this episode, tune in now and start thinking outside the box with your marketing! 🚀
Thank you to our friends at RepairPal for providing you this episode. RepairPal’s Certified
Network of shops are trusted by millions of customers each month. Learn more at RepairPal.com/shops.
Are you ready to convert clients to members? App Fueled specializes in creating custom apps tailored specifically for professional auto repair businesses. Visit Appfueled.com to get started today. Keep your shop top of mind on the mobile device they love.
Timestamps
Introduction to the Episode (00:00:01)
Brian Walker welcomes listeners and introduces the co-host Kim and guest Robert Morton.
Discussion on Treasure Hunts (00:02:19)
Robert explains the treasure hunt events organized by Panhandle Tech, involving clues and public artifacts.
Details of the Artifacts (00:03:17)
Robert describes the hidden artifacts, such as a medallion, and their significance in the treasure hunt.
Clue Posting Frequency (00:03:46)
Robert discusses the schedule for posting clues, aiming to keep participants engaged daily.
Initial Promotion of the Treasure Hunt (00:05:39)
Robert shares how they initially promoted the treasure hunt through Facebook and radio announcements.
Incentives for Participation (00:06:46)
Robert explains the prizes for participants and emphasizes that the game itself is the main draw.
Gamification and Community Engagement (00:07:09)
Robert highlights the collaborative effort among participants, emphasizing community engagement throughteamwork.
Comparison to Forest Finn’s Treasure (00:07:41)
Kim draws parallels between the treasure hunt and the famous search for Forest Finn’s treasure.
Business Benefits of the Treasure Hunt (00:09:26)
Robert discusses how the treasure hunt enhances community engagement and drives website traffic.
Website Traffic Metrics (00:09:51)
Robert mentions the importance of tracking website metrics to measure engagement and participation.
Impact on Google Rankings (00:10:55)
The discussion highlights how increased website traffic can improve search rankings and engagement.
Sponsorship Promotion (00:11:07)
Brian promotes RepairPal, discussing its benefits for auto repair shops and customer trust.
App Fueled Marketing Strategies (00:12:10)
Brian introduces App Fueled, emphasizing customer loyalty programs for auto repair shops.
Impact on Website Bounce Rate (00:12:58)
Kim discusses how increased engagement from the treasure hunt reduces bounce rates on the website.
Google Ranking Factors (00:13:14)
Brian explains how website traffic and user engagement influence Google search rankings.
Community Engagement Impact (00:14:12)
Robert shares how the treasure hunt helped improve community relationships and engagement.
Search Engine Success (00:14:26)
Discussion on how the treasure hunt boosted their Google search rankings significantly.
Emotional Stories from Participants (00:15:07)
Participants share personal stories of how the event positively impacted their lives.
Pioneering Community Events (00:15:37)
Robert reflects on being a trendsetter in his community with innovative events.
Fifth Treasure Hunt Event (00:15:48)
Robert mentions that they are organizing their fifth treasure hunt event.
Continuous Improvement (00:16:03)
Discussion on learning from past events to enhance future treasure hunts.
New Clue Strategies (00:16:37)
Introduction of a new clue strategy involving an Easter egg on their website.
Team Engagement (00:17:00)
Robert explains how the treasure hunt fosters team spirit among his staff.
Using Technology for Clues (00:17:24)
Robert discusses how his team utilizes ChatGPT to solve clues.
Clue Creation Process (00:18:01)
Robert emphasizes that Chris is primarily responsible for crafting the treasure hunt clues.
Clue Example Reading (00:18:19)
Robert reads an example of a clue used in the treasure hunt.
Clue Structure and Game Dynamics (00:19:05)
Discussion on how clues lead participants to the next steps in the treasure hunt.
Culmination of the Hunt (00:19:52)
Robert describes how the treasure hunt concludes when someone finds the hidden item.
First Treasure Hunt Experience (00:20:07)
Robert recounts a memorable story from their first treasure hunt event.
Inspiration for the Treasure Hunt (00:22:07)
Robert discusses the origin of the treasure hunt idea and its intended purpose.
Website Traffic Boost (00:22:36)
Robert shares how the treasure hunt significantly increased traffic to their website.
Community Engagement Strategies (00:23:01)
Discussion on various ways to engage the community through events.
Unique Marketing Approach (00:23:30)
Robert emphasizes the creativity and uniqueness of their marketing strategy.
Learning from Mistakes (00:24:33)
Robert highlights the importance of mistakes in learning and improving their approach.
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Lagniappe (Books, Links, Other Podcasts, etc)
Panhandle Eurotech
