Three Tactics To Beat The Competition When Automotive Sales Decline
Automotive News recently reported that September 2016 sales fell about 2 percent, a decline for the second consecutive month. J.D. Power and LMC Automotive reported that this is the fifth month in the past seven to show an overall retail sales decline. As we head into the final quarter of 2016, auto dealers are understandably nervous that they
Customer Retention Doesn’t Just Happen
Have you noticed how “customer retention” is the new buzzword? For many years, it was “improved CSI” that manufacturers pushed for via incentives. Dealers quickly complied and, after a while, realized that improved CSI scores were good for the manufacturer (which is why they are willing to pay incentives), great for the customer (thanks to
If You Think You Know Your Customers, You May Be Wrong
Consumers want to love the car buying experience just as much as the vehicle they’re purchasing. There is no sacrificing one for the other. Transparency is crucial in making the experience worthy of their trust, their confidence and, ultimately, their business. However, newly released data tells us that there is an alarming disconnect between dealer
Make It Great – Make It Matter
As the Thanksgiving season draws near, my thoughts center around things for which I am grateful — family, loyal friends, my work family and our clients and business partners. I’m especially grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge and expertise with the automotive community and dealerships. Time is a valuable commodity, so for
Fast Forward: Predictive Analytics
In theory, direct marketing has always been future based. After all, it typically happens before any dealing in the showroom takes place. But today, intelligent direct marketing based on predictive analytics amounts to so much more than the “good old days” of sending out a bunch of mail and waiting for the up bus to
How To Rank Your Dealership At The Top Of Google Searches
I use Google in the title, because they are the 800-pound search engine, but you can substitute Yahoo, Bing or others if you desire. The secret is: There is no secret recipe. Depending on a variety of factors, every recipe is slightly different. But, there are some basic core ingredients you can master that will
Three Steps To Making Sure Your Email Messaging Doesn’t Miss The Mark
It’s no surprise that 2017 will be more competitive than ever, and the right email campaigns can mean the difference between prospects buying from you or from the dealer next door. That’s why segmenting customer data in your CRM is critical, because it’s a cost-effective way to target customers in your database, deliver personalized messaging
Eight Easy Ways to Build Your Personal Brand Online
The idea of personal branding can be overwhelming or daunting, but once you start getting out there, you might be surprised how your referrals will grow and your online presence will spread.
Your Service Department and Video
Why does video work? Since we, as humans, are physically hard-wired to respond to movement, the pitch of voices, and body language, all of which create strong emotional connections, video accomplishes this.
Optimize the Vendors and Services You Already Have
These days, every dealership uses a variety of technology. However, from their CRM to various marketing partners, to the DMS and the smallest widget on their Website, we often find that, while they have all of this technology at their fingertips, many dealers aren’t using it to its maximum potential.
