News for the Week of 1.6 

Pinterest Privacy Policy

Pinterest recently updated its privacy policy in order to make the user experience feel more personalized and be more useful.  Users can now connect their Pinterest accounts to different apps to Pin directly from an app to Pinterest, and Pinterest has also been working with advertisers to make ads more relevant.  Users can see changes in the privacy policy, which details exactly what’s been updated and built, as well as how Pinterest will be working with partners in the future to improve the overall user experience.  Dealerships that are using Pinterest can up their game by interacting on the platform and building relationships with industry influencers in order to gain even more attention from their target audience.  In addition to regularly posting, be sure to like and share others’ Pins and observe what influencers are posting and sharing.

Pablo Google Chrome Extension

With this new Google Chrome Extension, users are able to create social media images from anywhere on the web.  While the image-creation process may have previously been more complicated or time consuming, now with just the click of a button, users can easily and seamlessly create images.  There’s no need to download or upload pictures; instead the Pablo extension cuts image-creation time in half by skipping these steps.  With the Pablo extension, users are able to simply right-click an image and select Pablo, and then create.  Additionally, with Pablo, users can save customer logos and create social images without text.   Dealerships that are engaging consumers online know the importance of visual imagery when it comes to impacting and capturing the attention of consumers, so be sure to check out the Pablo extension to help you quickly and easily create social images.

Twitter for Mac App Updated

Users have been eagerly awaiting the Mac app update, known as Twitter 4.0, and with its arrival come several new features.  The updated app now includes support for inline video playback, timeline GIFs, muting capability, group Direct Messages, “quoting” tweets, and other options that offer Mac users the enhanced Twitter features that were previously available on other applications.  In addition, users can also choose a darker theme and a Today Center Widget that allows Twitter highlights to appear on the desktop.  The Mac app will also finally be updated to display hearts instead of stars to highlight user-favorited Tweets.  The new features are accompanied by an updated design that includes changes to icons, buttons, and interactions, making Twitter 4.0 quite noticeably enhanced.  Dealerships can lean into Twitter to expand their audience by focusing on two-way conversations and engaging influencers and potential customers.  Consider participating in Twitter Chats to discuss specific topics with your target audience.

Update to Twitter Rules

Twitter recently introduced updates to Twitter Rules that are intended to protect users from abuse and harassment while expressing themselves on the popular social platform.  Twitter Rules have been updated with language that clarifies that Twitter “will not tolerate behavior intended to harass, intimidate, or use fear to silence another user’s voice.”  Twitter continues to encourage diverse voices and conversations and is working to protect users and protect them from abuse.  Additionally, throughout the past year, Twitter has given users the ability to block and mute other users, as well as report abusive behavior, in order to protect its online community.  Dealerships, continue to leverage your reach on Twitter.  As one of the top most relevant social media platforms, especially for younger consumers, it is smart marketing to listen, interact, and share content where your potential shoppers are gathering.

Topic-Based Feeds for Facebook

Instead of one main News Feed, Facebook is testing the idea of dividing News Feeds into topic-based feeds on its mobile app.  While it’s not widespread yet and many users won’t yet notice the updates, keep your eyes open as the social media giant continues to update based on user preferences.  In October of last year, Facebook began allowing some users to see specialized interest feeds via the web, and this latest update stems from that functionality.  The newest mobile testing automatically sorts posts from people and pages followed and puts them into different sections or feeds.  The traditional News Feed remains in place, however, the topic-based feeds have been added as secondary feeds that can be accessed with a simple swipe.  Dealerships, your followers will soon have yet another way to cut through the clutter on their News Feeds, so be sure you’re providing them with quality content that educates, entertains, and highlights what’s going on in your dealership and in your life.  Remember to refrain from overselling, as this is a quick way to get organized right out of a follower’s News Feed!

Tip of the Week – You’ve Heard it Before…

…but I’ll say it again.  Remember that social selling is all about building relationships; it’s not about overtly selling.  When you position yourself as a trusted resource and online confidante, your followers will be more likely to turn to you when it’s time to buy.  When posting online, avoid clobbering people over the head with sales and deals, and instead, offer up timely insights, helpful tips, and frequent interaction that lets them know you’re listening to what’s being said.  When you contribute quality content and show that you’re a good online listener, the relationships you forge will carry over onto the showroom floor! If you’re committed to building your personal brand, improving your professional brand, and becoming a great social salesperson, remember not to post:

• Negative comments or content.
• Curse words.
• Strong political or religious opinions.
• Embarrassing pictures—or yourself or anyone else.
• Things intended to make others envious.
• Negative opinions about your job.

However, some great things to post include:

• Links to relevant or industry-specific articles.
• Rich content about your goods and services.
• Requests for advice or suggestions regarding movies, books, restaurants, etc.

Remember you are working toward becoming an influencer, and as you do that, every piece of your content will contribute to your online reputation.  Be sure to keep your posts and comments professional and directed toward the reputation you want to create.  By doing that, you’ll build a broader and more loyal audience, and you’ll master the art of social selling.