social media how-to « Social Media for Dealers

January 12, 2012 • 9:00 am 0

What Is a Hashtag? And Why Should I Use It?

Often, when dealers begin using social media, they become overwhelmed at the new vocabulary that is used on Facebook or Twitter. It’s confusing at first, for everyone!

One of the most common trip-ups is Twitter’s hashtag. Most dealers new to Twitter have no idea what a hashtag is, so they end up using it incorrectly or not using it at all. We are here to help you. Let’s begin with: hashtag = #. A hashtag is simply the number sign.

Hashtags are used in Twitter to categorize topics. Since Twitter’s setup is pretty simple, they developed the hashtag so people file their “tweets” under particular topics.

Example: You post a comment telling everyone to pop into your dealership this weekend. “Hey guys, check out our new inventory this weekend before you head out on your adventure! #camping”

What the #camping does:

Since you placed a “#” before “camping” it will automatically make it a link.
You (or anyone) can click on that link and it will take you to a page of every other Tweets that used “#camping”.
Your tweet will be held in this archive of all other tweets mentioning #camping.

The hashtag is a powerful tool because it allows people who are not following you to see your tweet. A person who has never heard of you but is interested in camping will search #camping and see your tweet. This helps expose your dealership to a wider audience, and it helps establish you as a key leader on topics.

Want to know more? There are tons of websites promoted to helping you understand social media vocabulary. If you are still a little fuzzy see how Twitter describes hashtags. Also check out this blog post that describes more Twitter vocabulary. Happy #Tweeting!

photo by ccsdteacher

Filed under: Twitter, Getting started, hashtag, social media how-to, social media language, social media presence, tools, Twitter, Twitter tools

June 22, 2010 • 3:25 pm 0

Jayco dealer homecoming presentation: social media.

Thanks to all of the dealers who attended our social media breakout session at Jayco Dealer Homecoming in Schaumburg. We hope that our presentation provided you with new information and gave you tools that you can integrate into your RV dealership’s social media strategy. Below is are the slides from the presentation. Please feel free to contact us with any questions, we always welcome your feedback!

Filed under: Jayco, Strategy, The Basics, Why social media?, Blogging, Facebook, how to, Jayco, Jayco dealer, presentation, rv dealership, RV sales, search engine optimization, slide share, social media, social media how-to, social media monitoring, social media stats, social media strategy, social media tools, Twitter, YouTube

June 4, 2010 • 7:44 am 0

Don’t just post your RV inventory.

Social media is not simply an advertising platform. Businesses that are successful with tools like Twitter, Facebook, Four Square, and blogs aren’t simply pushing out an advertising message. They’re connecting with customers. Before you can sell, you have to connect.

Frequently posting your units and inventory in your Twitter stream or on your Facebook page will work against you. Constantly shouting a sales message will bore people. Failing to connect to your customers will make social media pointless.

Marketing through social media requires balance – to be successful, you must do much more connecting than selling. Pushing your inventory will do little to help you connect and build relationships with your customers. Instead of posting an inventory stream, focus on getting to know your followers. Listen to what they talk about, what they’re interested in, and learn how to contribute. Be interesting (trust me, 20 inventory updates a day is not interesting). Provide tips, join in conversations, and offer resources (Need topic ideas for Twitter or Facebook? Check out this, this, and this). Before you can push a self-serving message out in the social media world, you need to build trust and credibility.

Once you’ve established a bit of credibility, you can begin to sprinkle in promotions. Follow a 10 to 1 rule. For every 10 tweets/posts, 1 can be a promotion for your dealership. And by “promotion” I don’t mean a piece of inventory. Announce sales events, share images of special (unique, worthwhile, extra interesting) units, and highlight great deals. Promote, but keep it interesting and do it in moderation.

If your RV dealership is simply using social media to post your inventory, you’ll never truly connect. In fact, you may end up getting blocked by many potential customers (a constant stream of inventory can get annoying). Instead of trying to sell on social media, shift your thinking. Connect first.

*Image via Bill Ward’s Brickpile’s photostream

Filed under: Quick Tips, Strategy, The Basics, what to write, Why social media?, Consumers, customers, Listening, promotion, Resources, RV advertising, RV customers, rv dealership, RV inventory, RV marketing, RV sales, RV social media, sharing, social media, social media how-to

Social Media for Dealers

What Is a Hashtag? And Why Should I Use It?

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Jayco dealer homecoming presentation: social media.

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Don’t just post your RV inventory.

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