5 days 'til Vegas!
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riverside
Apr 13, 2009, 11:51:35 AM4/13/09
to FordBDC
Anybody going to the Digital Dealer Conference?
BROOKE CANTY
Apr 13, 2009, 12:54:55 PM4/13/09
to sa...@riversideford.net, FordBDC
I wish I was going. Anyone going that finds out some great information
please share via FORDBDC!
Brooke Canty
BDC Manager
Route 23 Automall
please share via FORDBDC!
Brooke Canty
BDC Manager
Route 23 Automall
fivestarfordga
Apr 17, 2009, 4:49:28 PM4/17/09
to FordBDC
Wish I was going as well - share some details for us!
Daniel Jester
Website Coordinator
Five Star Ford
Daniel Jester
Website Coordinator
Five Star Ford
Ford BDC
Apr 23, 2009, 5:14:27 PM4/23/09
to FordBDC
Digital Dealer Conference - Social networks, blog sites, dealership
videos and reputation management, where does a dealership start?
From April 19th to the 21st automotive dealerships from all over the
country sent team members from their dealerships to the Digital Dealer
Conference to learn the latest and greatest techniques to drive web
traffic, engage online customers and close more deals. There is no
doubt that among the hot topics was online guerilla marketing
techniques.
Guerilla marketing is a term often used to describe the use of free or
nearly free services to attract and market a dealership by improving
it's web presence. Sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube
allow a dealership to generate online content for free. This content
is indexed by search engines that can improve a dealership's presence
and be used to supplement dealerships websites and email campaigns.
The challenge for a dealership isn't finding a place to put dealership
content. The big question is, where do you start and how do you make
the investment in time pay off. Here a few tips you should consider
before you jump into Internet marketing:
Don't forget your leads: Internet Sales Consultants and Internet
Managers seem to be the natural choice to manage a dealership's online
marketing campaigns, yet they could already have their hands full with
leads. Before a dealership expects an Internet Manager to lead the
online guerilla marketing campaign they should consider the effect it
might have on their current Internet sales results. Don't let the
quest for new traffic cost the dealership sales they already have.
Find out where you are: Before you start spending time and money to
drive traffic to your dealership, check your web stats. Your Dealer
Connection website and most likely any other dealership site you have
comes with a compete set of site performance statistics. If you aren't
sure what those stats are telling you, call your website provider or
the team at Dealer Connection.
Start with what you know: If you already have Facebook account, you
have experience uploading to YouTube or you are a Twitter addict then
consider starting with what you know. This will allow you to focus on
content. www.ping.fm is one site that will help in getting content to
multiple sites in a timely manner.
Content must come from the top: Keep in mind your dealership's
reputation is on the line. The dealership should consider this content
as important as anything else the dealership publishes and nothing
should be posted or uploaded with out top management's knowledge and
approval.
Outsource the hard stuff: If you are considering search engine
marketing or display advertising and you aren't comfortable going out
and making advertising buys then consider using a reputable agency to
help you make your advertising investments. The Ford Digital
Advertising program was designed to give dealerships of all sizes
access to Digital Advertising experts. If you would like to know more,
you can go to www.FLMDIGITAL.com for free search engine analysts.
The Internet is still growing and evolving; dealerships that sit on
the sidelines and wait to market online could lose valuable time and
sales. The biggest mistake a dealership could make is not starting off
without a perfect strategy; the biggest mistake a dealership can make
is not starting at all.
videos and reputation management, where does a dealership start?
From April 19th to the 21st automotive dealerships from all over the
country sent team members from their dealerships to the Digital Dealer
Conference to learn the latest and greatest techniques to drive web
traffic, engage online customers and close more deals. There is no
doubt that among the hot topics was online guerilla marketing
techniques.
Guerilla marketing is a term often used to describe the use of free or
nearly free services to attract and market a dealership by improving
it's web presence. Sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube
allow a dealership to generate online content for free. This content
is indexed by search engines that can improve a dealership's presence
and be used to supplement dealerships websites and email campaigns.
The challenge for a dealership isn't finding a place to put dealership
content. The big question is, where do you start and how do you make
the investment in time pay off. Here a few tips you should consider
before you jump into Internet marketing:
Don't forget your leads: Internet Sales Consultants and Internet
Managers seem to be the natural choice to manage a dealership's online
marketing campaigns, yet they could already have their hands full with
leads. Before a dealership expects an Internet Manager to lead the
online guerilla marketing campaign they should consider the effect it
might have on their current Internet sales results. Don't let the
quest for new traffic cost the dealership sales they already have.
Find out where you are: Before you start spending time and money to
drive traffic to your dealership, check your web stats. Your Dealer
Connection website and most likely any other dealership site you have
comes with a compete set of site performance statistics. If you aren't
sure what those stats are telling you, call your website provider or
the team at Dealer Connection.
Start with what you know: If you already have Facebook account, you
have experience uploading to YouTube or you are a Twitter addict then
consider starting with what you know. This will allow you to focus on
content. www.ping.fm is one site that will help in getting content to
multiple sites in a timely manner.
Content must come from the top: Keep in mind your dealership's
reputation is on the line. The dealership should consider this content
as important as anything else the dealership publishes and nothing
should be posted or uploaded with out top management's knowledge and
approval.
Outsource the hard stuff: If you are considering search engine
marketing or display advertising and you aren't comfortable going out
and making advertising buys then consider using a reputable agency to
help you make your advertising investments. The Ford Digital
Advertising program was designed to give dealerships of all sizes
access to Digital Advertising experts. If you would like to know more,
you can go to www.FLMDIGITAL.com for free search engine analysts.
The Internet is still growing and evolving; dealerships that sit on
the sidelines and wait to market online could lose valuable time and
sales. The biggest mistake a dealership could make is not starting off
without a perfect strategy; the biggest mistake a dealership can make
is not starting at all.
riverside
Apr 25, 2009, 10:58:12 AM4/25/09
to FordBDC
The Digital Dealer Conference was fantastic! I came away with tons of
information and ideas, way to much to put into words here. The two
biggest things I took away from this are:
1. We are very lucky to be with Ford. They were the only OEM
represented at this conference. That really shows how much they
understand the future of car sales is related to the internet and
digital media. And they are not just standing still; new things are on
the way from Ford on the digital front, like SalesPoint v10, already
in a couple regions but should be nationwide soon. I had a chance to
chat with Doug Mitchell for a while, and he has some really great
insight into building a winning Internet Team.
2. The other thing I heard from a lot of different speakers and people
attending the conference is how we aren't that far away from Internet
"Departments" not existing any more. Soon all sales people will need
to be internet salespeople to survive, as that is the direction
customers are trending. So what does that mean for us as Internet and
BDC Managers? I guess that we are at the front of the pack in terms of
knowledge and skills for the future of our industry.
Video was another big topic, as well as social networking. These are
two areas I'm really looking forward to getting into, so if anybody
wants to chat about this, let me know. Good luck and happy selling!
> > Anybody going to the Digital Dealer Conference?- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
information and ideas, way to much to put into words here. The two
biggest things I took away from this are:
1. We are very lucky to be with Ford. They were the only OEM
represented at this conference. That really shows how much they
understand the future of car sales is related to the internet and
digital media. And they are not just standing still; new things are on
the way from Ford on the digital front, like SalesPoint v10, already
in a couple regions but should be nationwide soon. I had a chance to
chat with Doug Mitchell for a while, and he has some really great
insight into building a winning Internet Team.
2. The other thing I heard from a lot of different speakers and people
attending the conference is how we aren't that far away from Internet
"Departments" not existing any more. Soon all sales people will need
to be internet salespeople to survive, as that is the direction
customers are trending. So what does that mean for us as Internet and
BDC Managers? I guess that we are at the front of the pack in terms of
knowledge and skills for the future of our industry.
Video was another big topic, as well as social networking. These are
two areas I'm really looking forward to getting into, so if anybody
wants to chat about this, let me know. Good luck and happy selling!
>
> - Show quoted text -
LaurieC
May 1, 2009, 2:29:16 PM5/1/09
to FordBDC
We have been considering using videos. How are you using videos? Any
information you can pass on would be greatly appreciated.
Also, we have recently started passing out internet leads to
salespeople. Is anyone else doing this? Is anyone having success with
it?
> > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
information you can pass on would be greatly appreciated.
Also, we have recently started passing out internet leads to
salespeople. Is anyone else doing this? Is anyone having success with
it?
Joe Ingram
May 1, 2009, 6:36:25 PM5/1/09
to sa...@ashleyford.com, FordBDC
Have had no success with farming out the leads to sales people. It takes a different kind of person to handle internet. With internet the focus is building value, our price quotes usually separate us from our competition, but if you want a chance to make any money, you have to build up the true difference between you and your dealership - YOU.
I have added video capability to our website, I have generics videos in the gallery, and also in the vehicle descriptions. I have seen a huge increase on the click through rate from the inventory page to the vehicles with video - I am beginning to incorporate a video walk around on all the pre-owned vehicles we have in stock!
I plan on making it fun, and also uploading them onto you-tube or metacafe.com because that helps with search engine optimization (so I have been told).
Joe
I have added video capability to our website, I have generics videos in the gallery, and also in the vehicle descriptions. I have seen a huge increase on the click through rate from the inventory page to the vehicles with video - I am beginning to incorporate a video walk around on all the pre-owned vehicles we have in stock!
I plan on making it fun, and also uploading them onto you-tube or metacafe.com because that helps with search engine optimization (so I have been told).
Joe
riverside
May 2, 2009, 12:17:44 PM5/2/09
to FordBDC
We use videos a couple of different ways. I'll do custom videos for a
specific customer on the vehicle they are interested in, I've done
some general information videos that would apply to anyone (post those
on youtube) and then I try to do some fun ones as well to keep things
fresh.
As far as passing out leads to salespeople, I think you'll start to
see that become the way it is in a few years. With more and more
customers using the internet to shop and not driving to the lot to
look around, eventually the "lot lizard" salesperson will become
extinct. All salespeople will have to learn how to use the internet to
sell, so why not start learning now.
specific customer on the vehicle they are interested in, I've done
some general information videos that would apply to anyone (post those
on youtube) and then I try to do some fun ones as well to keep things
fresh.
As far as passing out leads to salespeople, I think you'll start to
see that become the way it is in a few years. With more and more
customers using the internet to shop and not driving to the lot to
look around, eventually the "lot lizard" salesperson will become
extinct. All salespeople will have to learn how to use the internet to
sell, so why not start learning now.
Chan Whiting
May 4, 2009, 9:07:30 AM5/4/09
to sa...@ashleyford.com, FordBDC
Internet leads should be handled either by the B.D.C or 1 designated person. The whole idea of a lead is to make an appointment. Sales people try to sell over the phone...
Regards,
Chan Whiting
General Manager
Crest Lincoln-Mercury
586-838-4688
ch...@crestlm.com
-----Original Message-----
From: for...@googlegroups.com [mailto:for...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of LaurieC
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 2:29 PM
To: FordBDC
Subject: [FordBDC] Re: 5 days 'til Vegas!
Regards,
Chan Whiting
General Manager
Crest Lincoln-Mercury
586-838-4688
ch...@crestlm.com
-----Original Message-----
From: for...@googlegroups.com [mailto:for...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of LaurieC
Sent: Friday, May 01, 2009 2:29 PM
To: FordBDC
Subject: [FordBDC] Re: 5 days 'til Vegas!
Bobby Malatia
May 4, 2009, 5:21:46 PM5/4/09
to for...@googlegroups.com
I agree, if at all possible I would not have these opportunities going to
the floor. Unfortunately, the reality is sometimes this is necessary. If
you find yourself in this position you need to look at it as a band aid
short term approach. I will tell you that if you do have to go down this
road you will want to make sure you have a lot of manager supervision.
These leads need to start and end with the managers as they pass them out
(and if they can make initial contact even better) and require the sales
people report back to the managers with updates. If this is not done you
can expect a 2-5% closing rate from your leads because you will have about a
two day at most lead handling process with the typical floor salesperson.
Regarding Video, our clients are having great success with initial video,
taking a 30-45 sec. video of themselves outside with a vehicle that closely
matches what the prospect is asking about. It is also great with prospects
you have made contact with but were not able to appoint them. Use the video
to sell yourself and then get them excited about a real vehicle and not a
virtual one. Just make sure you keep them short and do not worry about it
having to be production quality. Using a flip video is fine. Just hold the
video outstretched facing you introducing or reintroducing yourself, and
then tale about 15 sec. of the vehicle. Keep it simple.
Bobby Malatia
KainAutomotive.com
Internet Sales Training and Solutions
214-228-7930 Cell/Text
248-928-5237 Fax
Need some good ideas? - join our Idea Exchange at
http://kainautomotiveideaexchange.ning.com/ or follow me on Twitter at
twitter.com/bmalatia
the floor. Unfortunately, the reality is sometimes this is necessary. If
you find yourself in this position you need to look at it as a band aid
short term approach. I will tell you that if you do have to go down this
road you will want to make sure you have a lot of manager supervision.
These leads need to start and end with the managers as they pass them out
(and if they can make initial contact even better) and require the sales
people report back to the managers with updates. If this is not done you
can expect a 2-5% closing rate from your leads because you will have about a
two day at most lead handling process with the typical floor salesperson.
Regarding Video, our clients are having great success with initial video,
taking a 30-45 sec. video of themselves outside with a vehicle that closely
matches what the prospect is asking about. It is also great with prospects
you have made contact with but were not able to appoint them. Use the video
to sell yourself and then get them excited about a real vehicle and not a
virtual one. Just make sure you keep them short and do not worry about it
having to be production quality. Using a flip video is fine. Just hold the
video outstretched facing you introducing or reintroducing yourself, and
then tale about 15 sec. of the vehicle. Keep it simple.
Bobby Malatia
KainAutomotive.com
Internet Sales Training and Solutions
214-228-7930 Cell/Text
248-928-5237 Fax
Need some good ideas? - join our Idea Exchange at
http://kainautomotiveideaexchange.ning.com/ or follow me on Twitter at
twitter.com/bmalatia
Carol Hunn
May 4, 2009, 4:47:36 PM5/4/09
to FordBDC
We handle all our leads by pushing them out to the normal sales people.
We have tried BDCs and internet sales teams. Neither worked for our
company. However, we are distinct with the one-price, no haggle concept.
We have trained all of them and they seem to understand how to handle
these leads differently than walk-ins or phone ups.
We have tried BDCs and internet sales teams. Neither worked for our
company. However, we are distinct with the one-price, no haggle concept.
We have trained all of them and they seem to understand how to handle
these leads differently than walk-ins or phone ups.
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