All Blog Posts (12,645)

Barking up a different tree

Approximately 63 percent of all US household own a pet. Now how many of those households have cars? On a recent episode of Top Gear on BBC, Jeremy Clarkson (one of the hosts) says about a quarter of British households have a dog, and a car that can’t handle a dog is basically useless. That means there is a lot of opportunity for you the dealership to expand your marketing. Why you ask? Well many of these customers take their animals into consideration when purchasing a vehicle.

For… Continue

Added by Paul Potratz on July 4, 2011 at 9:30am — No Comments

Charging into the Electric Car

As of right now California has the most electric car charging stations. But other states are not far behind. In fact, a key legislative committee in Connecticut is about to act on legislation intended to improve the infrastructure for electric cars. Basically it will require an update to state building codes to address electric car needs, develop a plan to promote electric car use, and encourage installation of charging stations. The bill would create a sales tax exemption for hydrogen fuel… Continue

Added by Paul Potratz on July 3, 2011 at 9:30am — No Comments

Acceptance

Acceptance

~ Regina Hill

Acceptance means that you can find the serenity within

to let go of the past with its mistakes and regrets,

move into the future with a new…

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Added by Jack Higginbotham on July 2, 2011 at 12:00pm — 2 Comments

Is Your Website Traffic Down? Google Says So.

I popped open my DealerKnows email this morning and saw that Google Analytics sent out a Benchmark Newsletter. (See below). If you recall, when signing up for your Google Analytics account, you were offered to "opt-in" to anonymous data-sharing with Google. Well they've consolidated the data and are making some modifications to their standard benchmarking report. The information is revealing, but how does the…

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Added by Joe Webb on July 2, 2011 at 12:00pm — No Comments

How Green is your Dealership?

A lot of car advertising is now focusing on “green” cars. Hybrids, electric, hydrogen all of these vehicles help the environment and help the wallet. When purchasing goods consumers are also looking at the company itself. They want to support “green” companies.

Consider becoming an Energy Star rated building/dealership. This way as you focus your automotive marketing campaigns on the “green” cars you can also mention you, the dealership, are environmentally friendly.… Continue

Added by Paul Potratz on July 2, 2011 at 9:30am — No Comments

The Three Happens

In my 29 years of retail experience…and in coaching…literally…thousands of individuals…

I have come to notice… an individual will fall into one of three categories… of happens…

And that is H-A-P-P-E-N-S…happens…

A person will either…MAKE things happen…

Or they will…WATCH things happen…

Or…they will look around and ask…WHAT HAPPENED???

Now obviously…there is a clear and distinct difference… between…

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Added by Jim Kristoff on July 2, 2011 at 7:20am — 1 Comment

Dive into Google+ … Here’s How

Earlier this week, Google caused a stir when it launched Google+, the new social sharing service that’s currently available only to those lucky members who receive an invitation. Unlike other social sharing sites, Facebook being the first that comes to mind, the all-new Google+ begs its users to practice sharing decorum.

First Things First

Whether or not you have received an invitation to Google+ -- it’s the only way to use the service, and due to the high…

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Added by Sean Wolfington on July 1, 2011 at 4:30pm — 6 Comments

Facebook app to BranchOut on its own

The Facebook app BranchOut is shaping up to become a new venue for professionals to connect. What can this mean for the automotive marketing field? Well, this app could help increase professional network connections and boost discussions between the customers and the automotive marketing industry. By understanding your customers background and work environment you can better tailor your automotive marketing and advertising to fit their passion points.

BranchOut is an app that enables… Continue

Added by Paul Potratz on July 1, 2011 at 3:30pm — No Comments

Please help 14-Year-Old Sayshae Findley as She Battles with Cancer

I consistently post automotive related content onto the Dealerelite.net website on a consistent basis. I don't ask for much but if you could help promote this blog which will raise awareness for 14-year-old Sayshae Findley, who is battling cancer, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

Have you ever wondered how you can make a difference in someone’s life? Please join us in our efforts to support the family of Sayshae…

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Added by Rob Gehring on July 1, 2011 at 3:20pm — No Comments

What is the best way to get started in Automotive SMM

Start with a strategy so you can create a simple manageable measurable campaign, which serves your dealership’s goals. Define your goals, what do you need? Traffic to your website? New customers? Repeat business? Launching a new vehicle or service?

Next you will need to conduct research to determine the most appropriate social media platforms relevant to automotive marketing. No two dealerships are alike in this respect and the results of this kind of research always turns up…

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Added by Paul Potratz on July 1, 2011 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Great article on Google +1

http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Get_Started_On_Google%2B?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wired%2Findex+%28Wired%3A+Index+3+%28Top+Stories+2%29%29&utm_content=My+Yahoo

Added by Sean Wolfington on July 1, 2011 at 10:02am — No Comments

There Might Be An "App for That"

Applications (apps) for phones are big right now and we see them being advertised for various goods and services in almost every industry. Essentially, there are apps for just about anything; there is even a restroom locator app for those long car rides. The question is, how can an app affect you, the dealership and your automotive digital advertising campaign?

Currently Kelley Blue Book and cars.com both offer apps for the iPhone and Android. These apps allow car buyers to research… Continue

Added by Paul Potratz on July 1, 2011 at 9:50am — No Comments

Energizing the Deal.

I find that to many Sales People start off on the wrong foot. It starts with the meet and greet.

I see a widespeard approach with lack-luster entiuasm, energy, excitment, professionalism. It seems the

Sales-Person has already looked at the trade, made a determination that the Guest is buried alive in it,

and that God, the Pope and Jesus cannot get them out of it.

The Salesman has looked at the Customers clothes and has already made…

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Added by Scott Charles Collins on July 1, 2011 at 8:00am — No Comments

Why is customer retention important?

Customer retention…. It’s the single most important item…. that any Dealership can concentrate on….

Let me start with an NADA statistic

NADA did a survey…. And it showed that customers that service their vehicle… at the dealership…. are 17 times more likely to purchase another vehicle from you.

17 TIMES more likely!!!

Not twice as likely….

Not 5 times more likely….

Not even 10 times more likely…

Seven…teen times… Continue

Added by Jim Kristoff on July 1, 2011 at 7:59am — 3 Comments

Cutting Wasted Distrubution

Cutting wasted distrubution.pdf

Added by Liz Krewson on June 30, 2011 at 1:51pm — No Comments

Building a Social Network Brand Image for Your Company

The word “social” in social network can be a bit misleading when building an online brand for your company. Social networking was born out of the concept of sharing one’s personal life and not professional endeavors. Today, people as well as companies are using social media to drive personal and professional branding. Social networking is still a format that is deeply embedded in personal…

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Added by Stephanie Young on June 30, 2011 at 11:30am — 18 Comments

How Likely Is Your Online Community To Recommend You?

That's what it's all about isn't it? To get people to talk about and recommend you to others? So how are you doing? All this work you've been doing with social media and building community, is it working? That is, are you developing the kinds of relationships with people that influences them to want to tell others about you?…

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Added by David Johnson on June 30, 2011 at 11:28am — 1 Comment

Silence Of The Lam's

It’s time for the silence of the LAM’s (Lazy As* Managers). The Hannibal Lecter’s of this industry have feasted on the flesh of our customers and drank the blood of our employees to the brink of disaster. MOM’s (Managers On the Move) have to rise up and get back into playing shape. The train has left the station; get onboard or get out of the way. It’s time to…

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Added by Marsh Buice on June 30, 2011 at 9:00am — 11 Comments

4 Social Media Legal Issues Dealers Can’t Afford to Ignore

It was bound to happen. The tremendous growth of digital marketing and social media was an invitation for government regulation. For instance, the Federal Trade Commission recently updated its truth-in-advertising guidelines, which were last revised in 1980, to address the commercialism of the Web. Federal and state regulators are taking the position that social media is not a loophole for deceptive marketing practices and are actively enforcing and cracking down on social…

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Added by Jim Radogna on June 29, 2011 at 10:26pm — 1 Comment

Grand Theft Auto - Customer!

Grand Theft Auto - Customer: It’s not a video game—it’s your real profits. How do other dealers steal your customers?

They park a PPC campaign on your dealership name. They use your dealership name in their SEO work. They hijack your Google Places results (just found and undid one of those!). …

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Added by Keith Shetterly on June 29, 2011 at 2:00pm — No Comments