10 Things An Auto Dealer Can Do NOW To Succeed With Social

Media TODAY

By: Rob Hagen

“Social media is not just about sales, it’s about your bottom line!”

What Is Social Media?Another common name is reputation marketing

or managementPurest form of brandingDefinition of branding: Entire process involved

in creating a unique name and image for a product (good or service) in the consumers' mind, through advertising campaigns with a consistent theme. Branding aims to establish a significant and differentiated presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers. (BusinessDictionary.com)

Core fundamentals of social mediaInformation sharingWord of mouthTop of mind awarenessTransparencyPermission based (vs. interruption based)Collaboration

Why Social Media?Influence people in your communityCreate brand ambassadorsRoughly 70% of Gen Y respondents say they

are likely to sway a friend’s vehicle purchase; only 60% of Gen X and 50% of Baby Boomers claim the same.

More than two-thirds (67%) of Gen Y respondents look for information on a vehicle brand or model on social networking sites, up dramatically from 25% in the 2009 survey. (Deloitte Automotive Survey)

Put A Social Media Policy In Place

Social Marketing Can Be A Double Edged Sword.

Elephants Never Forget, Neither Does Google.

People Are Forming Opinions, Without Having To Be A Customer.

A Policy Lets Employees Know What They Can And Can’t Do.

We Can Email You A Sample Copy, Email Me at RobH@NextGenDealer.com

Create A Strategy

The Difference Between Success And Failure is in The Strategy.

4 Steps To Creating A Winning Strategy Investigate Define Objectives Choose Actions Pick Your Platforms

The Power Of Google ReviewsYou’re Customers Are Goggling Your

Dealership By Name, What Are They Seeing?A Customer With A Bad Experience Has A

Higher Level of Motivation Force than a Customer that a Good Experience.

1 Peer Recommendation is Worth 200 Traditional Media Impressions.

Non Negotiable: Ask Everyone of Your Customers to Leave A Review On Google.

Follow it Up With an Email and a Phone Call.Thank Your Customer

The Proof is in The NumbersJune 2010 9 Reviews, 2 Stars

The Proof is in The NumbersJuly 2010 25 Reviews, 4 Stars

The Proof is in The NumbersSept 2010 44 Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars

Build Real Relationships On Facebook

Ask Your Customers To Join You, Photo Tagging.

Ask Engaging Questions, Get To Know Your Customers.

Post Facebook Only Contests.Listen, Listen, Listen.20-20-60 Rule.The Less You Pitch The More You Sell.

Build Real Relationships On Facebook

Monologue No, Dialogue Yes.It’s Not About You, It’s About Them.Humanize Your Dealership, Bring Your People

To The Forefront.Sell Your Personality, Become One Of “US”

Instead of Being Just One of “Them.”Join In The Conversation, Start Your Own.

Start a Blog, Become The Expert

Blogging Creates Authority.Creates InfluenceCreates Community

Search Engines Love Blogs.Builds Your Personal Brand.It’s The Hub Of Your Social Network,

Everything Leads To The YOU.Create A Strategy And Stick To It.

Create A Company Newsletter

Ties In All Your Social Activity.Creates Top of Mind.Influences Repeat and Referral Business.Creates Anticipation, Your Subscribers Will

Look Forward to Reading It… If Done Correctly.

Put Signup Forms Everywhere.Use Third Party Software

Aweber.com Constant Contact

Contests!Ex. Union County School Pride ProjectCommunity Driven Content Captain Metro HondaAdded 5000 local likes in a little over a monthGets people talking, both online and off!Creates brand ambassadorsHave fun!

Faceboook AdsMarket your fan page, an event or any other

webpageVery specific demographics: age, distance,

male or female, common interests, friends of friends, and more!

Great reporting including respondents demographics

Easy budget management: set daily or campaign limits

Have a hook!

Facebook Ad case study – Midlands Honda Fan PageCriteria: Over 18, male and female, living

within 50 miles of Columbia SCReach – 362,000 Facebook accountsTime frame: 3 monthsResults

Impressions: 11,527,158Social impressions: 50.2%Clicks: 2716Actions: 605Cost: $2517

Track What People Are SayingWhat are people saying?Search.twitter.comGoogle alertsSocialmention.comIceRocket.com

Facebook Analytics

Make your retail website more socialAdd share buttonsPut a link to your blogSocially bookmark new contentAdd a Facebook Like box to your websiteYou can do the same with TwitterPost videos on your site that link back to

your Facebook page

Bonus tip!

Slice off a little piece of your normal

monthly advertising budget anddedicate it to social media and

reputation marketing!

Contact info

Contact meNextGenDealer.comBlog: PersuasiveConcepts.comRob Hagen: RobH@NextGenDealer.com

Cell (225) 938-0993