What were the most Googled cars in 2011?

Hat tip to VJ for this gem.

Source: Most Googled Cars Of 2011

What were the most Googled cars in 2011?

Hat tip to VJ for this gem.

Source: Most Googled Cars Of 2011

Whether you've already created a Google Plus Business page for your dealership or plan on doing so eventually, here's two simple things you can do to help make sure it stands out. One is for esthetics, the other for search. 

G+ Business pages allow for a profile image and five window panes to display images from your scrapbook. Why not dress it up a bit? 

Use this tool to create custom profile images with G+ banners, logos and landscape shots for the window panes: Make Google Plus Banners

Once your page is set up, be sure to add a link to your site in the about page. You'll need a link on your G+ page pointing to your website and then from your website back to your G+ page to complete the loop required to have your page indexed properly and included within Google Direct Connect. (G+ Pages don't have custom URL's)

You'll also need to confirm ownership of your G+ page by adding a short snippet of code to your website. Just as Google created the new "author" attribute for individual G+ pages, they also created the "publisher" attribute for these pages.

Get the proper attribute information and the G+ badge code snippet here: Google Webmaster Tools - Google+ Pages

I hear a lot of people wish they had set up their other social properties much earlier. (Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn) - here's your chance to plant a few seeds early.

Enjoy.

Whether you've already created a Google Plus Business page for your dealership or plan on doing so eventually, here's two simple things you can do to help make sure it stands out. One is for esthetics, the other for search. 

G+ Business pages allow for a profile image and five window panes to display images from your scrapbook. Why not dress it up a bit? 

Use this tool to create custom profile images with G+ banners, logos and landscape shots for the window panes: Make Google Plus Banners

Once your page is set up, be sure to add a link to your site in the about page. You'll need a link on your G+ page pointing to your website and then from your website back to your G+ page to complete the loop required to have your page indexed properly and included within Google Direct Connect. (G+ Pages don't have custom URL's)

You'll also need to confirm ownership of your G+ page by adding a short snippet of code to your website. Just as Google created the new "author" attribute for individual G+ pages, they also created the "publisher" attribute for these pages.

Get the proper attribute information and the G+ badge code snippet here: Google Webmaster Tools - Google+ Pages

I hear a lot of people wish they had set up their other social properties much earlier. (Facebook, twitter, LinkedIn) - here's your chance to plant a few seeds early.

Enjoy.

One of the things I love to do is find the newest ways for people to connect with Auction Direct online. Here’s two ways that will become increasingly popular.

Everyone on the Internet is looking for Information. What’s the best information we can find? Information from trusted sources such as our family, friends and co-workers. When our friends tell us about a restaurant, a clothing store or even an accountant, we listen to those recommendations because we trust the review.

Word of mouth marketing is one of the most effective methods for any business to increase sales; Facebook and Google have introduced two of the most revolutionary online word of mouth marketing tools.

Facebook understands one simple fact: People love to share the stuff happening in their life. Now, they’re making it even easier to for people to share life events – social consciousness. Items such as getting engaged, getting a new pet or even a new home will be shared even easier within Facebook’s new profile features. The ability for customers to update their status with “Bought a Car” can help us tremendously. Knowing the average Facebook user has 125 friends, having our customers share their new car purchases online will help increase exposure – and build trust. Click image to enlarge

Google also understands the principle behind the value of a trusted connection’s recommendation. Their new social search feature, Google Plus, let’s you show a form of visual word of mouth by clicking on the +1 buttons next to the search results. (You need to be logged into your G+ account to see this this feature within your searches) Click image to enlarge

When the people within your Gmail address book search for things online, they’ll see the items you have +’d and vice-versa. Notice the thumbnail images below the listings when I search for Auction Direct in Google. I can see who else +’d the result. Social validation, trust and influence will become more important to online shoppers as your connections begin to visually endorse their Facebook activities and the content they find within Google’s search results.

Are you using either of these yet?

Originally posted on WhatDidEricSay.com

One of the things I love to do is find the newest ways for people to connect with Auction Direct online. Here’s two ways that will become increasingly popular.

Everyone on the Internet is looking for Information. What’s the best information we can find? Information from trusted sources such as our family, friends and co-workers. When our friends tell us about a restaurant, a clothing store or even an accountant, we listen to those recommendations because we trust the review.

Word of mouth marketing is one of the most effective methods for any business to increase sales; Facebook and Google have introduced two of the most revolutionary online word of mouth marketing tools.

Facebook understands one simple fact: People love to share the stuff happening in their life. Now, they’re making it even easier to for people to share life events – social consciousness. Items such as getting engaged, getting a new pet or even a new home will be shared even easier within Facebook’s new profile features. The ability for customers to update their status with “Bought a Car” can help us tremendously. Knowing the average Facebook user has 125 friends, having our customers share their new car purchases online will help increase exposure – and build trust. Click image to enlarge

Google also understands the principle behind the value of a trusted connection’s recommendation. Their new social search feature, Google Plus, let’s you show a form of visual word of mouth by clicking on the +1 buttons next to the search results. (You need to be logged into your G+ account to see this this feature within your searches) Click image to enlarge

When the people within your Gmail address book search for things online, they’ll see the items you have +’d and vice-versa. Notice the thumbnail images below the listings when I search for Auction Direct in Google. I can see who else +’d the result. Social validation, trust and influence will become more important to online shoppers as your connections begin to visually endorse their Facebook activities and the content they find within Google’s search results.

Are you using either of these yet?

Originally posted on WhatDidEricSay.com

Here's my location based marketing presentation from the 2010 DrivingSales Executive Summit - many thanks to Jared for including me on such an incredible event!

Location Based Marketing: Hottest Segment  in Social Media

Here's my location based marketing presentation from the 2010 DrivingSales Executive Summit - many thanks to Jared for including me on such an incredible event!

Location Based Marketing: Hottest Segment  in Social Media

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?

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?