Social Media for Dealers

A resource from HuebnerPetersen's Dealer Marketing Services

June 23, 2011 • 2:47 pm 0

Internet 101

As promised after our presentation at Jayco’s Homecoming earlier this week, here is the Internet 101 presentation for use in your dealership! The Social Media presentation will be posted early next week so check back in to access that one! Also, remember to leave questions in the comments or email us if you have any questions or interest in a specific topic!

Filed under: The Basics, Why social media?, , , , , , ,

May 26, 2011 • 2:40 pm 0

It’s all about the connections.

Sometimes it’s difficult to give every customer all the attention they need and deserve, but with the help of social media you are able to give your customers what they really want; your time. You now have the ability to connect with them in a different way and give them what they want.

If you’re still on the fence, keep these things in mind…

It’s Easy!

  • Social media sites are free – why wouldn’t you sign up and take advantage of these great sites to connect to your customers?
  • Time saver – spending 5 – 10 minutes everyday writing posts or responding to your customers can make a big impact. Customers will enjoy reading your posts and appreciate that you responded to their questions and comments.
  • Open 24/7 – customers can ask questions during non-business hours. Social media allows people to connect at anytime!

Connecting is Valuable!

  • If you put in the time and effort to get to know your customers on a personal level, they most likely will recommend your dealership to other people in their life.
  • Word-of-mouth is the best promotion you can get. People trust word-of-mouth!
  • Customers can answer questions on your behalf. They can communicate and share stories about their relationship with your RV dealership.
  • It’s about building relationships with people and helping them discover who you are in new and exciting ways.

Quick Tip: Remember to be consistent – try to post something everyday, if not more!

*Photo Credit: jeff_golden

Filed under: Why social media?, , , , , ,

October 27, 2010 • 10:49 am 0

Be a more connected RV dealership.

Is your RV dealership connected?

Why are you contemplating (or using) social media at your RV dealership?  Seems like a “no duh” question, but it isn’t.  You shouldn’t be doing social media simply because someone told you that you should or because it’s what everyone else is doing.  You need to have a clear understanding as to why your dealership should care about social media.

At its core, “social media is about being a more connected company” (via Lisa Barone).  For an RV dealership, what are the benefits of being connected?

The specific answers to these questions may vary from dealership to dealership, but here are our most basic thoughts on what the benefits of “being connected” are, and how social media can help your dealership be a more connected company.

Why be connected?
The Internet is changing the way customers give and receive information.  They are talking online (in social media).  You can either listen, learn, and participate with your customers or ignore this huge social shift.  You gain a huge edge if you’re connected to the conversations about your dealership, your community, the RVing industry, your competitors.  Social media allows you to be alerted to key conversations and gives your dealership an avenue to respond and provide input.  Social media connects you directly to the people talking about your business.

On top of that social media provides the perfect platform to listen and respond, social media also offers a wealth of information from which your RV dealership can learn.  Being connected allows you to learn about your customers (and potential customers).  Who are they? What do they like/dislike? Why do they RV? Where do they travel? What do the need?  If you’re connected, your insight into your audience will become deeper. Having a deeper understanding will allow you to build trust and connect with your customers beyond the RV sales floor.

Be connected so you can better serve your customers.

*Photo credit: baddog

Filed under: Why social media?, , , , , , ,

October 7, 2010 • 6:05 pm 0

RVDA presentation slides.

RVDA expo 2010

Thank-you to everyone who sat in on the RVDA “Social Media and Your Dealership” session.  It was great to talk with so many dealers and hear first hand what social media information is valuable to your dealerships.

As promised, here are the presentation slides.  Feel free to share and use freely and always, if you have any questions we’re here to help!

Filed under: Strategy, Why social media?, , , , , , , ,

September 29, 2010 • 2:00 pm 1

Social Media & Word of Mouth.

Using social media as your word of mouth tool

A lot of dealers swear by WOM marketing. Word of mouth. It trumps any other marketing medium and in some cases it’s all they use (or hope to use). Customers talking, sharing stories, having a positive memory of their experience and passing it on. Neighbors talking to neighbors, co-workers talking to co-workers, friends talking to friends. Spreading the word about your dealership via conversation.

Here’s the newsflash! That’s exactly what social media is all about! Social media platforms (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube) are word of mouth powerhouses.

There are a lot of questions about social media, fears associated with learning something new, and an overall uneasiness with getting started. But why? Why are you hesitating. Direct mail is down in a lot of markets, consumers are skipping TV ads with TIVO, newspapers around the country are dropping like flies… not only are your traditional marketing mediums not longer effective, they’re being ignored by your customers.

Social media and meaningful online conversations are causing a stir, they’re creating leads, businesses are marketing online and the best part is, they’re having success. AND social media harnesses the power of word of mouth.

Don’t let social media’s powerful word of mouth potential pass your RV dealership by. Start engaging and exploring! Start developing meaningful connections online. Up the ante with a word of mouth (READ: social media) strategy at your dealership.

Need info on how? Check out all of the rvsocialmedia.com archives or get in touch by commenting on any post!

*Photo Credi: ansik

Filed under: Why social media?, , , , , ,

Our recent tweets:

Brought to you by:

This information is brought to you by HuebnerPetersen's Dealer Marketing Services and Front Lines Marketing Programs. Please visit http://HuebnerPetersen.com for further information.

Click to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Never miss another social media tip for your dealership!

Join 25 other followers

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 25 other followers