Welcome to the “Third Party” Now go %@#& Yourself!
@Blake, I never said beware of venders that are pro consumer, we all need to be pro consumer. The issue is that the third party, "free" inventory hosts use our inventory to give their sites relevance and then writing articles telling the consumers th...
Welcome to the “Third Party” Now go %@#& Yourself!
If you are in a market with CarMax, then you know first hand how powerful being perceived as a transparent consumer-friendly dealer can be. CarMax is typically the first or second-most visited inventory site in their markets (beating AutoTrader and ...
Welcome to the “Third Party” Now go %@#& Yourself!
If you are in a market with CarMax, then you know first hand how powerful being perceived as a transparent consumer-friendly dealer can be. CarMax is typically the first or second-most visited inventory site in their markets (beating AutoTrader and ...
Welcome to the “Third Party” Now go %@#& Yourself!
Though your article does have some valid points, I think as a whole, it doesn't really help your points. You say to watch out for certain vendors because they are pro-consumers...? So dealers should just stick with vendors that are pro-dealers? If...
Las Vegas, NV - June 15, 2010 – Auto Dealer Monthly announced the 2010 Independent Retailer of the Year, along with corporate sponsor AutoTrader.com, at the 2010 NIADA Convention in Las Vegas. John Iannone, CEO of Auction Direct USA in Victor, N.Y., was on hand at the convention to receive the 2010 Independent Retailer of the Year Award, which was awarded to both him and COO Todd Hoagey for their stellar retail performance in 2009, during which time their group of dealerships retailed 6,165 pre-owned vehicles.
Iannone said, “While I'm honored to accept this award, the achievement itself is the result of our passionate employees and our incredibly supportive customer base. The focus has always been to create a memorable automotive buying experience; these results truly help validate our mission of changing the way people buy quality used cars.”
In 2005, Iannone and Hoagey founded Auction Direct USA, which includes four rooftops (two in Victo
Here an Interesting graphic showing the comparison between referral traffic received from social media channels vs. Google, for eight very diverse major brands.
Sure, it may not be the perfect apples to apples comparision to our industry, the point being made here is how the referring site traffic mix has changed & the power of a diversified mix of online channels can impact your referral traffic source. (Note: Referral traffic is different than search traffic)
...
How is the advent of the mobile browser & mobile marketing campaigns changing the way people interact with social sites & the Internet in general? How will these trends continue to affect automotive social media?
Are you tracking how many of your Facebook Fans hide your content?
Whether you grow fans organically or via sponsared ads, you should monitor how many people hide your content from their content stream.
On your Fan Page, click the "See All" link within your insights box on the left sidebar
On your insights page, scroll to the bottom left graph & uncheck "Total Fans"
The graph shows the total number of fans who hide your page's activity
(Default drop dow selections may need to be changed if these steps don't show the info)
If the percentage of people hiding your content is high, you may want to rethink what you're pushing to your fans.
And, if you're paying for fans, this may be an item you want to pay attention to...
Our fan base is a lot lower than many dealers as its cultivated organically - no ads, no invites - people "like" us on their own. (FYI: ~495 total fans as of today; 5% elected to hide our cont...
The Social Media train left the station a long time ago. Stop chasing it. Stop trying to "decide" if its for you.
A new train has been pulling away and it's headed everywhere. Everywhere consumers are that is. It can be in the form of Foursquare, Gowalla, Loopt, Rally Up, Whrrl, SCVNGR, MyTown, Miso, Mopho or Google's geolocation API.
Confused about location? Curious about it's utility? Simply tired of reading stale SM content? Here's a great presentation deck showing 20 excellent examples of brands leveraging location beyond a special for the Mayor. (Credit to: David Stutts - Digital Enthusiast)
20 Interesting Things: FoursquareView more presentations from David Stutts.
What do you think? Interested in your thoughts on location based marketing......
OK, you joined Driving Sales, you've read everyone's blogs & discussions and you finally wrote your first blog post.
Then you waited anxiously for the comments; checked for email notifications and refreshed your browser. Nothing.
Here's 9 things to help you write an effective blog post and generate more comments and discussion around your topic.
Add your picture to your profile - People want to see who you are - without it you're reduced to a witness-relocation silhouette outline avatar.
Complete your Driving Sales profile - Use your LinkedIn profile to copy/paste your info to your online bios, simple & consistent.
Write your blog post title in the form of a question or a numbered list - See above if you've already forgotten the title of this post:)
Share a tip, trick or a secret - Sharing great content is the basic premise of the Driving Sales community; everyone loves to learn something that can make them look good to other peo...
GM made sure everyone heard the good news - they paid back their TARP funds in full and ahead of schedule.
Instantly, company naysayers do an about face upon learning this. This has to be a good thing. Maybe things are turning around for GM. But are they? Do you recall hearing how they were able to accomplish this? Here's an interesting explanation of how things went down.
Can Foursquare be an effective social media communications tool for retail car dealers?
Foursquare is a location-based social networking site which requires the use of your mobile phone or device to check in to venues.
To “check in” requires you log in to Foursquare, pull up a list of places or venues that have been added to foursquare.com by other users and use the Check In button. If the venue doesn’t exist you can add it by entering the name and address. Beyond the individual aspect lies an intriguing marketing opportunity.
I’ll share some of the activities used within the Auction Direct USA Foursquare Venue during the next AC Social webinar Thursday May 13 at 11:30am EST.
Some of the topics covered will be:
New-school engagement using “location-based marketing” concepts
Creating memorable, interactive experiences for guests
Leveraging our networks w/regards to surrounding businesses for promotions & the breadth of ou...
Listening.
Individuals and businesses alike work so hard at trying to engage, interact, promote, distribute, create link-bait, re-tweet etc.
Sure, those items need to be done and should find their place within the communication mix. Yet, listening is consistently overshadowed or just missing.
If your goal is effective social media, start listening more. Listen to your buyers, your industry influencers and anyone else willing to share their feedback & experiences.
These gems will improve user experiences while also teaching you incredible lessons about the people you think you know so much about.
Are you actually listening to the people who will make the biggest impact on your business?...
Michael Stelzner recently published a new White Paper: 2010 Social Media Marketing Industry Report.
The purpose of this paper was to understand how online marketers are using social media today. He does a nice job of digging deep into the activities, tools and other subtelties within this segment:
The top 10 social media questions marketers want answered
How much time marketers invest with social media activities
The top benefits of social media and how time invested impacts results
The most used social media tools
Marketers future social media plans
And much more!
For more info about Mark, check out his site here: SocialMediaExaminer.com...
Need another reason why your business should have a Foursquare Venue Page? Take this one to your boss, or whoever else is stone-walling your efforts to provide your company the most cost-effective methods of getting your business in front of more people.
Bing is developing a system to provide access to real-time Foursqaure check-ins and to-do lists within their maps feature. Now people will be able to see what others are saying about different places on the map. Bing is positioning this as: “An interactive day planner, designed to help find the best things to do in that area.”
Very interesting note: They’re also developing a way to rank tips based on the user’s reputation. Foursquare users unlocking more achievement badges and checking in more frequently will be able to boost their own authority.
Appears a deal like this will create more ways to connect with your network, better ways to find current user opinions & reviews and even ...
I always enjoy ringing in the new year - the thought of working with a fresh slate to create bigger and better things is both refreshing and exciting. I'm curious to see how the newest technologies adapt to become viable solutions and strategies for progressive companies and individuals.
Here's my list of the technologies with incredible potential for creating new solutions for automotive consumers and professionals in 2010.
Real time Search: Google and Bing are squaring off in the first round of real time search results by providing real time results from the likes of Twitter and Facebook. While we don't see these results in the same format as regular search results now, this will move from being a silo to being a primary search result visual. Search Engines such as Topsy will help the competition ramp up improved methods of displaying real time results from relevant and influential sources; other players in this space: Collecta and OneRiot.
A lot of people are beginning to play with Google Wave - even some of us within the car dealer social network community.
Many are confused as to what it is, what it does and how it can help you.
In a nutshell, it can be whatever you need: A clunky chat-room, a private workspace to share rich content or something even more engaging by using installable gadgets such as napkin, brainstorming and HTML...
I like the simple features over other sites like Basecamp.
A Google Wave iPhone app is also available for $1.99 - it is't an official Google app, but it looks and feels like the full application - just smaller. It seems to run slow - but does allow the same basic functionality.
Here's The Complete Guide to Google Wave to help with pretty much anything you may need to know. Hope it helps...
Image via CrunchBaseToday’s social media technologies make it easy to connect with great people. Last year, I met Jason Kintzler, Founder of PitchEngine.com and was immediately impressed with his new start up.
Jason is shaking up the PR world with his Social Media Release solution. The SMR is a cost effective, easy to use solution that I recommend every company should consider; I created a social media newsroom for Auction Direct USA.
Not familiar with PE or Jason? Here’s a few questions Jason answered that will open your eyes about the exciting things he’s doing.
Share your own quick pitch about PitchEngine.com…and a brief overview of your unique proposition.
PitchEngine is PR for the social web. We make it easy for you to share PR assets like video, images and more with media, friends, fans and followers via Facebook, Twitter and more!
What prompted you to go in this direction? What was the problem you aimed to solve?
Initially, it was purely about giving PR pros and...
Image via Wikipedia
Its great to see the discussions about the different strategies being used to drive traffic and get noticed online; the best laid SEO, SEM and SMO plans won't be able to execute at their full potential if your site lacks key design and usability standards.
Color themes, page layout, content elements...all items that trigger a subconscious response for the visitor within the first couple of seconds of arriving to your site. Since these are items you can control, why would you want to discount the efforts that are going to represent your brand online?
Conventional wisdom says to pack the pages with content and graphics; brochure style page copy, eye-catching graphics and plenty of "stuff that's cool."
Don't fear the white space. Use it to balance the page and direct the viewer's attention where it needs to be. White space lends itself to creating an open, free flowing and comfortable visual experience. Design studies have also demonstrated that white space helps i...
Image via WikipediaCar Czar. That's got a cool ring to it...who wouldn't want to have "Czar" in their job title?
Congress is calling for someone to be named "Car Czar" to manage the estimated $7 billion-plus marketing budget allocated to the big three.
Whoever gains control of this $7 billion advertising windfall will instantly trump Proctor & Gamble and become the nation's single largest advertiser. The problem? Who the hell do you put in this position?
To start, cross off all the automotive advertising guys. They're among the latest adopters of new marketing solutions and have proven they don't get the cost effective structure of the new media landscape.
Next, cross off the traditional agencies & Madison Ave. folks. The traditional channel choices are ineffective, expensive and unaccountable.
Lastly, cross off the politicians and those out of touch with anything A.G. (After Google) Paul Volker is one name being tossed around. Granted, he's an intelligent guy - but stil...
Image via WikipediaThis is one of many upcoming posts about the changes occurring in the Automobile industry.
With all the buzz about change needed within the retail automotive business, there is more happening than people may realize.
One micro-trend I've noticed: Individuals and organizations reaching out to the public; Twitter is one creative method being used to build confidence, increase communication and simply listen to what consumers have to say.
The automobile industry needs some serious help. Here's my short list of the Top 11 people you should be following on Twitter. They're doing their part to bring about positive changes needed within the automobile industry.
MissMotorMouth | Bright, enthusiastic car fanatic with a passion for making great things happen in the car business.
TomWhitejr | Smart retail industry pro; customer focused & committed. You'll learn a thing or two following Tom.
BobinOregon | Bob clearly enjoys what he does - helping his customers find w...
How New Media Helped Auction Direct USA Boost Sales 40%
by Kimberly Smith
Case study published on 10/28/2008
Company: Auction Direct USA
Contact: Eric Miltsch, IT/Web Director for Auction Direct USA
Location: Victor, NY; Jacksonville, FL; Raleigh, NC
Industry: Automotive, B2C
Annual revenue: Confidential
Number of employees: 300
Thanks to MarketingProfs.com for the great article. Be sure to sign up for more of their premium content like this! You can follow Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer for MarketingProfs, on Twitter as well.
While auto dealerships across the nation struggle to survive in the new economy, Auction Direct USA's business is expanding.
Annual sales are up 40% for the young company that established its first location in Rochester, New York, in 2005. Three years later, that outlet boasts 14% of the area's used car market.
Stores in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida, were added within the last year, and the Raleigh dealership is already the t...
Car dealers are always looking for new ways to reach potential customers and retain existing relationships. Newspaper rates continue to rise while readership and reach are dropping; radio and TV results are difficult to track and expensive when compared to newer alternatives.
Social media channels offer extremely low cost solutions for visitor communication, sales messages and marketing efforts.
I'll begin this series with an overview of Twitter and a few short-cuts to help keep things moving efficiently. By now you've probably heard of Twitter, but are still asking yourself "What's the deal?"
For those of you not familiar with this micro-blogging phenomenon, Twitter combines the functionality of instant messages, text messaging and social networking by letting you send out messages limited to 14O characters.
Your messages are centered around the basic theme of answering a simple question: "What are you doing?" Before you get started, choose your voice. Deci...
Image via WikipediaUsed car shoppers all agree that doing your research online is a must. Dealer websites, photos, videos, mileage figures, reviews, CARFAX history reports…they will seek all the major resources. Even turning to friends, family and even the guy down the hall at work who claims to know everything.
The major difference between all shoppers is how this information is processed and actually absorbed. Many buyers will tell you what they want and how much research they did. But did they?
Most car buyers eventually buy something that is closer to what they want rather than what they need. I’ve done it. I blame it on Maslow.
Shoppers need to use the resources available to make the best choice rather than just taking the easy route and selecting the familiar choices. I see a striking similarity in the the choices automotive shoppers make and the decisions voters make. And those choices tend to be based on comfort versus the decision that actually shares their current n...
Image via Wikipedia
Want to add a little extra value to your customer's buying experience? Have them drive away from your dealership with additional information that makes them feel even more comfortable. Tell them to be sure they have a AAA membership - for that extra protection. A lot of people may not know the benefits available...
Did you know that an early form of an automotive social network took root in 1902? A bunch of car fanatics got together in Cleveland, OH to create some maps and directions for drivers because they simply didn’t have enough roads available.
The club quickly rose to over 1000 members and was called the American Automobile Association; demand escalated from there. Over the years they began creating hotel guides, driver safety programs and even acted as an official backer of professional automobile racing, including the Indianapolis 500 up until the 1950’s.
Everyone is familiar with the typical AAA services such as unlocking your doors and helping wit...
Image via WikipediaA nimble, constantly evolving online marketing strategy helps keep CarsDirect dealer partner Auction Direct USA on the cutting edge of the Internet – and on top of the competition
A drive to innovate permeates every department of Auction Direct USA. The Victor, NY-based chain of used car superstores has built a thriving business largely on being different.
The differences stood out from the first day Auction Direct USA opened its doors in 2005. Specializing in late-model, low-mileage used cars and trucks, the company offers no-haggle prices on every vehicle and a three-day, 500-mile money back satisfaction guarantee. It established an exclusive 85-point quality inspection process, operates certified service departments, and encourages a relaxed atmosphere that emphasizes personalized customer service. Early success allowed Auction Direct USA to open additional stores in Raleigh, N.C. and Jacksonville, Fla. over the next two years. More locations are in the planni...
Interview from WhyBuyUsedCar.com [WBUC]
Everyone wants the best price on a used car. Up to 80% of used car shoppers are looking for their next deal online; shoppers visit over 10 different car sites before even visiting a dealership. Knowing this, a consumer may ask why car dealers don't try harder to price their inventory more competitively. A new company is shaking up the used car market with the first and only solution to an old problem.
Only three years old, vAuto is making a strong impact on used car dealers. Their revolutionary system helps dealers price, appraise and stock pre-owned vehicles. The winners? Dealers AND consumers.
I spoke with vAuto's Chairman and Founder recently, Dale Pollak. His enthusiasm, knowledge and passion for changing the used car industry rings loud and clear.
WBUC: What was your driving motivation in creating vAuto's used car pricing solution?
Dale Pollak: I quickly saw the huge disconnect between the way traditional dealers price their vehicles a...
I see the paradigm shift within the used car industry more and more every day. The consumer behavior and activity is being noticed by new players within the industry - finally.
CarTango is a unique online venture with an extremely interesting concept: Social matchmaking targeting female automotive customers. The power of Web 2.0 is finally making its way to the automotive sector.
Talking with Daniel Osborne recently, CEO of CarTango, he enthusiastically shared his thoughts about his company and the industry. Automotive consumers deserve better ways to shop online - CarTango is making great strides by offering online shoppers, especially women, a creative approach to shop for the best used cars available.
WBUC: What was your driving motivation behind the launch of CarTango?
D.O: Creating a better car shopping experience for women. What we found is that by enhancing the consumer experience we were also providing dealerships with more opport...
I was fortunate enough to meet the founder of a new online automotive community.
Unique sites can easily be traced back to their equally unique founders. I’m referring to Wei Yang – a very cool and talented entrepreneur. [Follow his Tweets & you’ll quickly see…]
Wei was kind enough to share his thoughts on the auto industry with WhyBuyUsedCars.com…and our job is to provide online auto shoppers with the best used car information.
WBUC: So Wei, what’s your newest online initiative all about?
WY: EasyAutoSales.com is a free, ad-supported autos web 2.0 service which helps private sellers and dealers sell cars online. The EasyAutoSales team consists of a group of serial entrepreneurs with various backgrounds in programming, marketing and sales.
WBUC: Share your online career background and highlights.
WY: All of us have worked on other startups in one form or another and our team has a rather complementary set o...
Interview from WhyBuyUsedCars.com [WBUC]
Crackberry, Sidekick, Smartphone - whatever you want to call them, they’re in everyone’s hands and people aren’t just talking.
We’re doing a lot more than just talking and taking pictures now. With over 1 billion text messages sent daily, the practical applications are being recognized and implemented by businesses more frequently.
I was fortunate enough to meet Shuki Lehavi, CEO of Gumiyo recently; It didn’t take me long to recognize we shared the same fervent enthusiasm for all things tech related…and our kids.
My position gives me a unique perspective on some of the changes to the infrastructure to the car business - some at a snails pace while others in the blink of an eye.
Check out some of Shuki’s comments from our conversation. I see things getting easier for both automotive consumers and dealers as they both embrace the changing landscape of car shopping…
WBUC: Describe your background and experiences which lead up ...
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Auction Direct USA Wins 2010 #1 Independent Retailer of the Year Award