Here's something for vendors to think about this year and as we prepare for NADA and other late-Winter/early-Spring conferences: Are you the vendor sales guy who makes dealer staff duck and cover? 

We've all experienced this to a varying degree, it doesn't need to be this way. As much as we all love the shiny new tools, the cool new gadgets and next hottest thing that will provide an eternity of well-qualified shoppers, we still don't like to be "sold."

Of course, we like to be challenged, educated & informed - but you know what we really like? We like being talked to first. Personally, I've enjoyed the relationships that have been created. Simple old adage: We buy from (& stay with) those we like. Here's a few of the characteristics & activities I associate with those I've worked with: 

• Be creative
• Be helpful
• Be real
• Be memorable
• Be available
• Be active in the off-line community
• Be a listener
• Be a strong communicator

Classic examples: Jeff Kershner, Joe Webb, Dennis Galbraith, Gary May, Alex Schoeneberger and Larry Bruce. (Go ahead, call me crazy) My point is these guys do all this stuff without any effort - it just happens. (I wish we had unlimited resources because I would have already assembled an All-Star cast of vendors & their products.) 

And yes, there are many more who can be mentioned, however this is about helping those who miss this mark and show up to the conference as if they busted into a saloon looking for an old-west gunfight. 

What else do you recommend?

Inspired by past events and reinforced by multiple vendor sales pitches received this morning.

Here's something for vendors to think about this year and as we prepare for NADA and other late-Winter/early-Spring conferences: Are you the vendor sales guy who makes dealer staff duck and cover? 

We've all experienced this to a varying degree, it doesn't need to be this way. As much as we all love the shiny new tools, the cool new gadgets and next hottest thing that will provide an eternity of well-qualified shoppers, we still don't like to be "sold."

Of course, we like to be challenged, educated & informed - but you know what we really like? We like being talked to first. Personally, I've enjoyed the relationships that have been created. Simple old adage: We buy from (& stay with) those we like. Here's a few of the characteristics & activities I associate with those I've worked with: 

• Be creative
• Be helpful
• Be real
• Be memorable
• Be available
• Be active in the off-line community
• Be a listener
• Be a strong communicator

Classic examples: Jeff Kershner, Joe Webb, Dennis Galbraith, Gary May, Alex Schoeneberger and Larry Bruce. (Go ahead, call me crazy) My point is these guys do all this stuff without any effort - it just happens. (I wish we had unlimited resources because I would have already assembled an All-Star cast of vendors & their products.) 

And yes, there are many more who can be mentioned, however this is about helping those who miss this mark and show up to the conference as if they busted into a saloon looking for an old-west gunfight. 

What else do you recommend?

Inspired by past events and reinforced by multiple vendor sales pitches received this morning.

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

Want to connect with a new group of professionals within your community, create greater awareness for your dealership(s) and drive them into your showroom?

Host an event for your local Chamber of Commerce.

Auction Direct USA hosted the first Victor Chamber of Commerce Social Media Breakfast. Chamber members love to network, they're always looking for new members and they're all looking for new ways to help grow their businesses.

I invited two other local business professionals to join me in doing short, 15-minute presentations sharing different tips, tricks & secrets any business can use to help promote themselves both online & offline. No selling - simply sharing our respective expertise to create credibility and share helpful information with the attendees.

Win-win for everyone involved:

• Guests picked up some great information
• Chamber Director gained new members
• Couple dozen people visited our showroom & had the opportunity to meet our GM & his staff.

Plus, one of the speakers already brought in a relative in to buy a new vehicle.  

Have you been involved with any other local, community based events? What worked for you? 

Want to connect with a new group of professionals within your community, create greater awareness for your dealership(s) and drive them into your showroom?

Host an event for your local Chamber of Commerce.

Auction Direct USA hosted the first Victor Chamber of Commerce Social Media Breakfast. Chamber members love to network, they're always looking for new members and they're all looking for new ways to help grow their businesses.

I invited two other local business professionals to join me in doing short, 15-minute presentations sharing different tips, tricks & secrets any business can use to help promote themselves both online & offline. No selling - simply sharing our respective expertise to create credibility and share helpful information with the attendees.

Win-win for everyone involved:

• Guests picked up some great information
• Chamber Director gained new members
• Couple dozen people visited our showroom & had the opportunity to meet our GM & his staff.

Plus, one of the speakers already brought in a relative in to buy a new vehicle.  

Have you been involved with any other local, community based events? What worked for you?