Social Media News for the Week of November 23

Brand-New Google+ 

Google will look different for users due to its latest updates to Google+. Latest improvements focus on Communities and Collections, placing those features front and center for Google social media users to access and use more easily. Communities alone averages around 1.2 million new joins per day, and although Collections is the newer of the two, it is growing even faster. Communities and Collections serve as gathering places to share common interests, and the redesign by Google makes them easier to access and more streamlined. Google+ is now focused around interests and is more user-friendly, as well as mobile-friendly. Working to make the experience more consistent across web, Android, and iOS, Google has rebuilt it to offer users a pleasant experience, no matter what screen device they’re using. Dealerships with an online presence can strategize to spark conversations about your brand on these popular platforms. Optimize word of mouth advertising by engaging consumers in relevant conversations regarding subjects that affect them and link them to your brand.

GIF Creation Simplified on Tumblr

The latest update from Tumblr allows users to GIF, edit, or post any video on their iOS devices via the Tumblr app. Not yet available for Android, this functionality should be following soon. For iOS users, however, look for simplified GIF (and burst) creating capabilities. Previously, it was more of a hassle to make GIFs, but with Tumblr’s latest update, users can simply open a photo post, choose a video or burst, and make a GIF. From there, it can be cropped, trimmed, looped, sped up, or slowed down at the user’s discretion. For dealerships looking for a fun way to spice things up online, try creating fun GIFs to catch consumers’ eyes. GIFs are easy to consume, shoppers are used to seeing them in their online media, and they add a bit of fun to the everyday messaging most businesses send out. Get creative and find ways to incorporate your message grab attention with a GIF.

Hello, Vine Remix!

Vine recently introduced remix to the social media world, giving users the opportunity to recreate, remake, and collaborate with audio from any Vine on the network. When Vines gain popularity, users want to recreate their own versions of them, and now, with Remix, users can create their own Vines using any audio simply by tapping the “…” under a Vine and selecting “Make an audio remix.” Additionally, users can now discover more Vines that use the same audio clip, allowing the source Vine to be located as well as the many Vines that may have stemmed from it. Song metadata has also been added to Vine search, allowing users to search for specific songs via the Explore page. Dealerships, consider using Vine to introduce sales promos, incentives, and service specials. Don’t underestimate the power of video sharing when it comes to getting your brand recognized by a broad consumer base.

YouTube Translation

In an effort to make content more accessible to a broader international audience, YouTube introduced translation tools available in 76 different languages. Translation features include community-contributed subtitles and CC (crowdsourced video subtitles), translated titles and descriptions, and translation marketplace (ability to order professional translation services directly from Video Manager). According to YouTube, 60% of a channel’s views come from outside the creator’s home country, meaning that potentially 2 out of 3 people who access that channel might speak another language. In early testing, translation features doubled watchtime—and even tripled in some cases—depending on language and demand. Dealerships, think about leveraging any multi-language tools and capabilities at your disposal, as there is a high demand for multilingual services. Start by ensuring your basic content and communications are available in the core languages of your local consumers to build better relationships and earn shopper trust.

Tip of the Week—Make Your Customers the Heroes of Your Story

Keep your customers in mind when you’re posting updates to your social accounts, and you’ll be sure to keep them coming back for more. No one wants a social media feed that’s log-jammed with nothing but sales pitches and offers, so instead, provide quality content that offers information on relevant topics of interest. Check out some tips to get you started when it comes to posting information that keeps your followers interested and looking for your online content:

• Post reviews and comparisons. Do some research and post quality reviews of the most common vehicle comparisons and reviews.
• Update consumers on financing trends. When something’s new in the financing world, update shoppers so they get trustworthy information regarding purchasing and leasing options.
• Give seasonal tips. Write posts that include safety and how-to tips for seasonal travel or vehicle maintenance.
• Post industry news. Stay up-to-date with what’s going on industry-wide and share highlights, links, and articles with your followers.
• Share community service activities. Let your followers know you’re interacting with the community and helping those around your dealership by posting stories that highlight your community activities.

Remember to ensure that your posts add value rather than pressure consumers to purchase, and you’ll be well on your way to earning loyal followers who enjoy and benefit from what you have to say. Be creative and think of new ways to reach and broaden your audience via your social posts. In doing so, you’ll position yourself as an industry leader and be the go-to dealership when the time comes for consumers to buy.