I am often challenged by my affiliated automotive advertising agencies to predict future trends in automotive advertising.  I am comforted by the fact that I was ahead of the curve -- or at least riding the first wave ---  of the shift from conventional automotive advertising media like radio, T.V., newspaper / print and direct mail to inter-active dealer websites, online digital marketing, data based targeted marketing, social media/networking, email, mobile marketing platforms, texting, online apps and cutting edge internet powered technologies and applications that integrate real world selling systems with virtual world processes; so far ... so good!

 

My latest future vision turns more inward as I reflect on the varied resources -- like DealerElite-- that have provided me with some of my best ideas.  Networking has taken on a new meaning and value as its online viral component has exponentially increased my spheres of influence. I often advise my auto dealer client's sales/service staff and my automotive advertising agencies account executives that they don't need to know everything -- they just need to know where to find it out.  That used to suggest a working knowledge and access to a brochure but in today's internet driven world access to information is only a click away if you know where to look.

 

Of course search engine algorithms have contributed to the ease of access to relevantly filtered information, however, I have discovered that a more concentrated pool of resources can be found on specialized social networking communities like ADM, DealerElite.Net, DrivingSales.Com,  InternetSalesManager.Org, Auttr.Com, AskPatty.Com, ScotytMonty.Com, DealerRefresh.Com -- and the list goes on.

 

I believe that the future value of social networking/media for automotive advertising agencies and auto dealers will be much like it is for today's consumer.  It will be a way for auto industry insiders to share best practices -- such as on my own network of networkers featured in a special section on AdAgencyOnline.Net and on our blog talk radio show appropriately named Auto Industry Insiders.

 

I am already developing individual specialized social networking community projects for some O.E.M.s and large vendors with established communities of likeminded auto dealers that are willing to share best practices with the understanding that a rising tide floats all boats. Access to information specific to their group is job one, however the true value of these portals will be realized by the reciprocal links to other auto industry information resources to surface solutions to common problems that might not have even surfaced yet. 

 

I would appreciate some insights and input from my DealerElite friends to either confirm or challenge my assertion that social media has similar values for the automotive advertising agency, auto dealer and auto industry focused vendor as it does for their car buying customers.  I also am curious to know what other online resources and networking communities are out there that I should add to my shopping list for new ideas.

 

NOTE: Specialized social networking communities are not limited to the Internet Super Highway as the relationships and shared opportunities developed online often extend into the real world! 

 

I will be hosting a session at The 6th Annual Chrysler Southeast & Southwest Business Center Service & Parts Business Conference in Orlando September 22nd - 24th, 2010 -- Social Media And Fixed Operations; What Was - Is And Will Be!, as well as at The 9th Digital Dealer Conference & Exposition at The Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas October 12th - 14th, 2010 -- C2C + B2B - B2C SQUARED, and I will be joining Jared Hamilton and some friends at his DrivingSales Executive Summit at The Encore Hotel in Las Vegas October 18th - 20th, 2010. 

 

I would love to meet with you all there and then to listen and learn so I can continue to presume to teach.  After all, what are friends for!