How to move on with integrity and brand intact After conference season, you’re probably considering yourself a bit more advanced than you were earlier this month and planning your next move.  If you’re not already, you’re actively looking at how to improve your social media strategy.  Included in that strategy needs be how your dealership intends to deal with a social media blunder. I’m Sorry: Say it, and mean it and don’t follow it with an excuse.  Own up to what happened and fix it, quickly.  The disgruntled customer will appreciate hearing it and future customers will also appreciate seeing a brand acknowledging the hiccup.  An apology doesn’t mean you’re accepting full responsibility for it, you’re simply acknowledging an issue has been brought to your attention and you’re actively working on it. Customer: “Downtown Repair still has my car; I can’t believe it’s taking t...

    With Google’s more recent algorithm change which shuns third-party review sites, it has never been more important to take advantage of your free directory listing on Google Places.  With Google being the juggernaut  in the search engine industry, reported over 90 percent market share in UK for August 2011, a lot of weight will be put on Google’s own directory, Google Places.  This holds true with car dealers especially, where competition is tight and sales numbers are consistently inconsistent.  Follow these five steps and help separate your “Google Places” listing from the competition.  1. CLAIM-First you need to “claim” or create your listing. Simply search for “places” in Google, click on “Google Places” and then “Get Started.” Google will ask for your phone number, make sure to use local number, type it in and Google will see if your dealership already has a listin...