10 things an auto dealer can do with social media: 1. Put a social media policy in place to guide employees' online actions. 2. Create a social media strategy with objectives, actions, and chosen platforms. 3. Ask customers to leave reviews on Google and follow up to thank them, as reviews influence potential customers. 4. Build real relationships on Facebook through engaging posts, questions, contests and listening to customers. 5. Start a blog to build authority, influence, community and help with search engine optimization. 6. Create an email newsletter to keep customers informed and encourage repeat business. 7. Run contests on Facebook to get people engaged both online and offline and

1. 10 Things An Auto Dealer Can Do NOW To Succeed With Social Media TODAYBy: Rob Hagen“Social media is not just about sales, it’s about your bottom line!”

2. What Is Social Media?Another common name is reputation marketing or managementPurest form of brandingDefinition of branding: Entire process involved in creating a unique name and image for a product (good or service) in the consumers' mind, through advertising campaigns with a consistent theme. Branding aims to establish a significant and differentiated presence in the market that attracts and retains loyal customers. (BusinessDictionary.com)

3. Core fundamentals of social mediaInformation sharingWord of mouthTop of mind awarenessTransparencyPermission based (vs. interruption based)Collaboration

4. Why Social Media?Influence people in your communityCreate brand ambassadorsRoughly 70% of Gen Y respondents say they are likely to sway a friend’s vehicle purchase; only 60% of Gen X and 50% of Baby Boomers claim the same.More than two-thirds (67%) of Gen Y respondents look for information on a vehicle brand or model on social networking sites, up dramatically from 25% in the 2009 survey. (Deloitte Automotive Survey)

5. Put A Social Media Policy In PlaceSocial Marketing Can Be A Double Edged Sword.Elephants Never Forget, Neither Does Google.People Are Forming Opinions, Without Having To Be A Customer.A Policy Lets Employees Know What They Can And Can’t Do.We Can Email You A Sample Copy, Email Me at RobH@NextGenDealer.com

6. Create A StrategyThe Difference Between Success And Failure is in The Strategy.4 Steps To Creating A Winning StrategyInvestigateDefine ObjectivesChoose ActionsPick Your Platforms

7. The Power Of Google ReviewsYou’re Customers Are Goggling Your Dealership By Name, What Are They Seeing?A Customer With A Bad Experience Has A Higher Level of Motivation Force than a Customer that a Good Experience.1 Peer Recommendation is Worth 200 Traditional Media Impressions.Non Negotiable: Ask Everyone of Your Customers to Leave A Review On Google.Follow it Up With an Email and a Phone Call.Thank Your Customer

8. The Proof is in The NumbersJune 20109 Reviews, 2 Stars

9. The Proof is in The NumbersJuly 201025 Reviews, 4 Stars

10. The Proof is in The NumbersSept 201044 Reviews, 4 1/2 Stars

11. Build Real Relationships On FacebookAsk Your Customers To Join You, Photo Tagging.Ask Engaging Questions, Get To Know Your Customers.Post Facebook Only Contests.Listen, Listen, Listen.20-20-60 Rule.The Less You Pitch The More You Sell.

12. Build Real Relationships On FacebookMonologue No, Dialogue Yes.It’s Not About You, It’s About Them.Humanize Your Dealership, Bring Your People To The Forefront.Sell Your Personality, Become One Of “US” Instead of Being Just One of “Them.”Join In The Conversation, Start Your Own.

13. Start a Blog, Become The ExpertBlogging Creates Authority.Creates InfluenceCreates CommunitySearch Engines Love Blogs.Builds Your Personal Brand.It’s The Hub Of Your Social Network, Everything Leads To The YOU.Create A Strategy And Stick To It.

14. Create A Company NewsletterTies In All Your Social Activity.Creates Top of Mind.Influences Repeat and Referral Business.Creates Anticipation, Your Subscribers Will Look Forward to Reading It… If Done Correctly. Put Signup Forms Everywhere.Use Third Party SoftwareAweber.comConstant Contact

15. Contests!Ex. Union County School Pride ProjectCommunity Driven ContentCaptain Metro HondaAdded 5000 local likes in a little over a monthGets people talking, both online and off!Creates brand ambassadorsHave fun!

16. Faceboook AdsMarket your fan page, an event or any other webpageVery specific demographics: age, distance, male or female, common interests, friends of friends, and more!Great reporting including respondents demographicsEasy budget management: set daily or campaign limitsHave a hook!

17. Facebook Ad case study – Midlands Honda Fan PageCriteria: Over 18, male and female, living within 50 miles of Columbia SCReach – 362,000 Facebook accountsTime frame: 3 monthsResultsImpressions: 11,527,158Social impressions: 50.2%Clicks: 2716Actions: 605Cost: $2517

18. Track What People Are SayingWhat are people saying?Search.twitter.comGoogle alertsSocialmention.comIceRocket.com

19. Facebook Analytics

20. Make your retail website more socialAdd share buttonsPut a link to your blogSocially bookmark new contentAdd a Facebook Like box to your websiteYou can do the same with TwitterPost videos on your site that link back to your Facebook page

21. Bonus tip!Slice off a little piece of your normalmonthly advertising budget anddedicate it to social media and reputation marketing!

22. Contact infoContact meNextGenDealer.comBlog: PersuasiveConcepts.comRob Hagen: RobH@NextGenDealer.comCell (225) 938-0993