Shares of Facebook stock are still trading below 40% of the social media company’s initial public offering of $38, but CEO Mark Zuckerburg’s announcement of a Facebook search engine serves as a light at the end of a tunnel for many investors. According to research firm eMarketer, search engines are an $18 billion industry. Now Zuckerburg says that Facebook has more personal data than any other website, which puts him in an ideal position to transform the social network into the world’s first true “social search engine.”

This article by CNET refers to Facebook’s search practices as “friend mining,” extracting specific answers to your questions by diving into your friends’ opinions. Speaking to a crowd at the TechCrunch Digital SF conference, Zuckerburg described how a Facebook user could instantly find restaurants based on friends’ past status updates, reviews and likes. The same holds true for auto dealerships; with this Facebook Search application, every comment, status update, and “like” that your dealership receives are logged in a database and retrieved when a shopper searches for you.

The implications for this kind of search engine are enormous. With this development, Facebook can seriously contend with social review companies like Yelp while monetizing search results in the same vein as Google. Perhaps the most ingenious thing about Facebook’s proposed search engine is that users don’t even know they’re participating in the search process. “If I write on Facebook that I had a phenomenal meal, Facebook could have a text box pop up that would ask me if I would like to rate it, give it a thumbs up,” said Michael Pachter, a Wedbush Securities Internet analyst.

This news isn’t just making Wall Street investors reevaluate their low estimation of Facebook – it’s also making business owners realize the importance of every customer review that is posted. Facebook will be able to summarize public opinion of your business – and the best strategy is to leave a positive social media footprint.

Follow our ActivEngage blog for more industry updates on cars, marketing, social media, entertainment, and more!

Shares of Facebook stock are still trading below 40% of the social media company’s initial public offering of $38, but CEO Mark Zuckerburg’s announcement of a Facebook search engine serves as a light at the end of a tunnel for many investors. According to research firm eMarketer, search engines are an $18 billion industry. Now Zuckerburg says that Facebook has more personal data than any other website, which puts him in an ideal position to transform the social network into the world’s first true “social search engine.”

This article by CNET refers to Facebook’s search practices as “friend mining,” extracting specific answers to your questions by diving into your friends’ opinions. Speaking to a crowd at the TechCrunch Digital SF conference, Zuckerburg described how a Facebook user could instantly find restaurants based on friends’ past status updates, reviews and likes. The same holds true for auto dealerships; with this Facebook Search application, every comment, status update, and “like” that your dealership receives are logged in a database and retrieved when a shopper searches for you.

The implications for this kind of search engine are enormous. With this development, Facebook can seriously contend with social review companies like Yelp while monetizing search results in the same vein as Google. Perhaps the most ingenious thing about Facebook’s proposed search engine is that users don’t even know they’re participating in the search process. “If I write on Facebook that I had a phenomenal meal, Facebook could have a text box pop up that would ask me if I would like to rate it, give it a thumbs up,” said Michael Pachter, a Wedbush Securities Internet analyst.

This news isn’t just making Wall Street investors reevaluate their low estimation of Facebook – it’s also making business owners realize the importance of every customer review that is posted. Facebook will be able to summarize public opinion of your business – and the best strategy is to leave a positive social media footprint.

Follow our ActivEngage blog for more industry updates on cars, marketing, social media, entertainment, and more!

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.” However, we doubt that Franklin had considered the freedom to browse the web while driving. As in-car technology grows exponentially, the potential to offer consumer convenience is seemingly limitless. Full Internet access from within a vehicle? Totally possible. Apps that allow drivers to use social networks like Facebook and Yelp already exist. But as today’s roadways become increasingly perilous, automakers need to ask themselves if American drivers really need another distraction in the car.

Carmakers say customers are demanding these features, according to a recent New York Times article. Hyundai attracts over 100,000 subscribers per year for its Blue Link connected car system. Cadillac boasts about its CUE dashboard screen as “an iPad on wheels.” The redesigned Lexus system features a 12.3-inch screen – practically asking for drivers to get lost in the foot-long liquid crystal display.

But roadway regulators aren’t going quietly. PC Mag reports that the Department of Transportation has proposed guidelines that would block all in-vehicle communications by a driver, including texting, dialing, Internet browsing, and even entering a GPS address by hand. Auto manufacturers insist that consumers are accessing these features with their phones anyway, but the DOT also hinted at restrictions on smartphone and tablet use, too.

These restrictions have huge implications for the future of connected cars, as well as navigational GPS systems and map applications. But technology is evolving so rapidly that any legislation will likely become obsolete before it can even be enforced – which means that, for better or worse, our drivers will become more connected with the Internet and less aware of the road in front of them.

What do you all think? Will the connected car usher in a new era of road recklessness? Or do you have faith in the common sense and decency of American drivers? Weigh in on the debate by leaving a comment below.

Benjamin Franklin famously said, “He who sacrifices freedom for security deserves neither.” However, we doubt that Franklin had considered the freedom to browse the web while driving. As in-car technology grows exponentially, the potential to offer consumer convenience is seemingly limitless. Full Internet access from within a vehicle? Totally possible. Apps that allow drivers to use social networks like Facebook and Yelp already exist. But as today’s roadways become increasingly perilous, automakers need to ask themselves if American drivers really need another distraction in the car.

Carmakers say customers are demanding these features, according to a recent New York Times article. Hyundai attracts over 100,000 subscribers per year for its Blue Link connected car system. Cadillac boasts about its CUE dashboard screen as “an iPad on wheels.” The redesigned Lexus system features a 12.3-inch screen – practically asking for drivers to get lost in the foot-long liquid crystal display.

But roadway regulators aren’t going quietly. PC Mag reports that the Department of Transportation has proposed guidelines that would block all in-vehicle communications by a driver, including texting, dialing, Internet browsing, and even entering a GPS address by hand. Auto manufacturers insist that consumers are accessing these features with their phones anyway, but the DOT also hinted at restrictions on smartphone and tablet use, too.

These restrictions have huge implications for the future of connected cars, as well as navigational GPS systems and map applications. But technology is evolving so rapidly that any legislation will likely become obsolete before it can even be enforced – which means that, for better or worse, our drivers will become more connected with the Internet and less aware of the road in front of them.

What do you all think? Will the connected car usher in a new era of road recklessness? Or do you have faith in the common sense and decency of American drivers? Weigh in on the debate by leaving a comment below.

Social media marketing is a time-consuming endeavor, and not all of us are hip to the language of tweets and likes. But that’s okay – you can find young professionals who are already devoted to social media – and they’ll often work for free! I’m talking of course about interns, a magical breed of ambitious, tech-savvy students who can offer you free labor in exchange for experience.

We all know that twenty-somethings spend their entire day on Facebook anyway – why not use their social media skills to your advantage? The question is, how can you find these eager employees? ActivEngage has a lot of experience with grassroots hiring techniques, and dealers are constantly asking us how to handle the marketing challenge of social media. We have some tips to share with you on our best hiring practices.

• Partner with local colleges.

ActivEngage has brought on numerous employees by working with educational institutions in our area. We hand pick from the University of Central Florida and renowned design academy Full Sail University, just to name a few. You, too, can recruit your ideal social media marketing team from the colleges in your area. Contact your local schools today to find out about how they can help.

• Challenge prospects in creative ways.

ActivEngage CEO Todd Smith knew that marketing was a creative and unorthodox field – that’s why he tasked prospective social media candidates with a video challenge. Applicants were challenged to create a video, like this zombie video,  showcasing who they were. You can also get a feel for the capabilities of your young hires by challenging them in the same way. Social Media interns will also need to draft a lot of content, so it is good to also have them include a writing sample with their applications. Even better, ask them to draft a Facebook post or blog for your dealership to see how good their marketing and writing skills really are!

• Promote awards and achievements.

Trust me – nothing attracts young hires like prestige. Millennials aren’t interested in just another 9-to-5 job. They want a career path, a work environment that they can feel invested in. That’s why you should make your laudations and awards clearly visible to all applicants. If you haven’t won any – start applying for them! Our recent award as one of Orlando’s Best Places to Work has help ActivEngage’s hiring process tremendously.

• Build career paths. 

Millennials struggle to understand what it is they really want to do for the next 20 years. In order to overcome this uncertainty, provide them with an outline of what career paths are available at your dealership within the Marketing department and beyond. Showing that you care about the candidates happiness within your dealership, will draw in those applicants committed to working for YOUR dealership, not those just looking for a paycheck.

Social media management requires tech-savvy, marketing educated employees who can invest the time and care to make your marketing campaign blossom. Start smart hiring practices – build your dream team from the ground up!

You can follow the ActivEngage blog for more cutting-edge marketing techniques and commentary.

Social media marketing is a time-consuming endeavor, and not all of us are hip to the language of tweets and likes. But that’s okay – you can find young professionals who are already devoted to social media – and they’ll often work for free! I’m talking of course about interns, a magical breed of ambitious, tech-savvy students who can offer you free labor in exchange for experience.

We all know that twenty-somethings spend their entire day on Facebook anyway – why not use their social media skills to your advantage? The question is, how can you find these eager employees? ActivEngage has a lot of experience with grassroots hiring techniques, and dealers are constantly asking us how to handle the marketing challenge of social media. We have some tips to share with you on our best hiring practices.

• Partner with local colleges.

ActivEngage has brought on numerous employees by working with educational institutions in our area. We hand pick from the University of Central Florida and renowned design academy Full Sail University, just to name a few. You, too, can recruit your ideal social media marketing team from the colleges in your area. Contact your local schools today to find out about how they can help.

• Challenge prospects in creative ways.

ActivEngage CEO Todd Smith knew that marketing was a creative and unorthodox field – that’s why he tasked prospective social media candidates with a video challenge. Applicants were challenged to create a video, like this zombie video,  showcasing who they were. You can also get a feel for the capabilities of your young hires by challenging them in the same way. Social Media interns will also need to draft a lot of content, so it is good to also have them include a writing sample with their applications. Even better, ask them to draft a Facebook post or blog for your dealership to see how good their marketing and writing skills really are!

• Promote awards and achievements.

Trust me – nothing attracts young hires like prestige. Millennials aren’t interested in just another 9-to-5 job. They want a career path, a work environment that they can feel invested in. That’s why you should make your laudations and awards clearly visible to all applicants. If you haven’t won any – start applying for them! Our recent award as one of Orlando’s Best Places to Work has help ActivEngage’s hiring process tremendously.

• Build career paths. 

Millennials struggle to understand what it is they really want to do for the next 20 years. In order to overcome this uncertainty, provide them with an outline of what career paths are available at your dealership within the Marketing department and beyond. Showing that you care about the candidates happiness within your dealership, will draw in those applicants committed to working for YOUR dealership, not those just looking for a paycheck.

Social media management requires tech-savvy, marketing educated employees who can invest the time and care to make your marketing campaign blossom. Start smart hiring practices – build your dream team from the ground up!

You can follow the ActivEngage blog for more cutting-edge marketing techniques and commentary.

It’s true that the live chat adoption rate is growing astronomically among auto dealers. The ability to greet your online shoppers and walk them around your virtual showroom has proven to be an invaluable technology, driving more customers to physical dealerships and ultimately selling more cars. You know all of this already, but one question remains: Do I manage my own website chat, or should I allow a vendor to take over for me?

Call us biased, but we’ve dug deep into our customer database, and we found some interesting statistics. Using a trusted managed chat solution leads to a blissful, relaxing paradise. Cherubs whisper lead information into your ear as you stroll carelessly through gardens of unicorns and rainbows. Your fully-staffed website professionally greets all of your customers for you – while converting 80% of all chats into qualified leads with a phone number and email. Your chats are answered within 6 seconds while you bask in the warm glow of the sun, and all you have to do is collect the pot of gold.

But we know that some of you guys try to deal with chat on your own, using other vendors who have left you in the wilderness to carry the burden of live chat. These poor souls are embroiled in a fiery hellscape, agonizing over missed web chats, haunted by the demons of poor response times. As they scramble around their dealership website, they shed sweat and tears over their lost sales and failed customer service. These dealers still hold on hope – hope that one day, the end of the world will spare them from their eternal torment.

And no, we don’t think we’re overstating things.  We’ve even illustrated your predicament for you:

No dealer deserves such cruel punishment. That’s why ActivEngage is here to help. Let us work with you to reach your managed chat nirvana – check out our new eBook, In-house vs. Managed Chat  to get the full story on how you’re missing out.

It’s true that the live chat adoption rate is growing astronomically among auto dealers. The ability to greet your online shoppers and walk them around your virtual showroom has proven to be an invaluable technology, driving more customers to physical dealerships and ultimately selling more cars. You know all of this already, but one question remains: Do I manage my own website chat, or should I allow a vendor to take over for me?

Call us biased, but we’ve dug deep into our customer database, and we found some interesting statistics. Using a trusted managed chat solution leads to a blissful, relaxing paradise. Cherubs whisper lead information into your ear as you stroll carelessly through gardens of unicorns and rainbows. Your fully-staffed website professionally greets all of your customers for you – while converting 80% of all chats into qualified leads with a phone number and email. Your chats are answered within 6 seconds while you bask in the warm glow of the sun, and all you have to do is collect the pot of gold.

But we know that some of you guys try to deal with chat on your own, using other vendors who have left you in the wilderness to carry the burden of live chat. These poor souls are embroiled in a fiery hellscape, agonizing over missed web chats, haunted by the demons of poor response times. As they scramble around their dealership website, they shed sweat and tears over their lost sales and failed customer service. These dealers still hold on hope – hope that one day, the end of the world will spare them from their eternal torment.

And no, we don’t think we’re overstating things.  We’ve even illustrated your predicament for you:

No dealer deserves such cruel punishment. That’s why ActivEngage is here to help. Let us work with you to reach your managed chat nirvana – check out our new eBook, In-house vs. Managed Chat  to get the full story on how you’re missing out.

Pop-up advertising has gotten a pretty negative rap over the years. Maybe that’s due in part to the 90s, when pop-ups would frequently flood your browser window, unfettered by blockers or anti-virus software. Perhaps pop-up ads deserve their negative connotation; they’re intrusive, gaudy, and difficult to escape from. But when properly implemented, pop-ups can effectively direct your Web traffic to a particular Web page, generate more lead information, and spread brand awareness.

Since the Internet boom, marketers have tried to figure out a way to send a message to consumers without alienating them with annoying and flashy ads. Pop-under advertising is a slightly different (and less intrusive) take on the same concept. These ads are hidden behind your browser window and are only seen when the visitor exits a Web page. Netflix, Orbitz, and Priceline are famous, current examples of companies that use this kind of advertising – and they’ve historically frustrated their audience with these tactics. But do they work?

As the automotive industry’s premiere live chat provider, we utilize a variety of tools to increase visitor-to-chat conversion. One of these tools (ActivInvite) is a personalized, talking pop-up message that invites visitors to engage us in a chat conversation. We decided to test the effectiveness of our own pop-up invitations. After comparing before-and-after data from the hundreds of dealers who use our pop-up invitation, we found an average increase in chat conversion of 23% –  and some dealers saw an increase of almost 70%!

The moral of this story is that pop-up ads – though universally despised and reviled – actually work, proving once again that empirical testing of web strategies is the only way to evaluate them. Though you might hate pop-ups, don’t discount them as ineffective or useless. The most successful marketers are data driven; they embrace new ways to reach their goals.

Pop-up advertising has gotten a pretty negative rap over the years. Maybe that’s due in part to the 90s, when pop-ups would frequently flood your browser window, unfettered by blockers or anti-virus software. Perhaps pop-up ads deserve their negative connotation; they’re intrusive, gaudy, and difficult to escape from. But when properly implemented, pop-ups can effectively direct your Web traffic to a particular Web page, generate more lead information, and spread brand awareness.

Since the Internet boom, marketers have tried to figure out a way to send a message to consumers without alienating them with annoying and flashy ads. Pop-under advertising is a slightly different (and less intrusive) take on the same concept. These ads are hidden behind your browser window and are only seen when the visitor exits a Web page. Netflix, Orbitz, and Priceline are famous, current examples of companies that use this kind of advertising – and they’ve historically frustrated their audience with these tactics. But do they work?

As the automotive industry’s premiere live chat provider, we utilize a variety of tools to increase visitor-to-chat conversion. One of these tools (ActivInvite) is a personalized, talking pop-up message that invites visitors to engage us in a chat conversation. We decided to test the effectiveness of our own pop-up invitations. After comparing before-and-after data from the hundreds of dealers who use our pop-up invitation, we found an average increase in chat conversion of 23% –  and some dealers saw an increase of almost 70%!

The moral of this story is that pop-up ads – though universally despised and reviled – actually work, proving once again that empirical testing of web strategies is the only way to evaluate them. Though you might hate pop-ups, don’t discount them as ineffective or useless. The most successful marketers are data driven; they embrace new ways to reach their goals.