Social Media Works! Think Integration.

September 30th, 2011 -

The discussion taking place regarding social media is fascinating.  It’s a very predictable conversation as a business jumps into this new exciting media channel.  

It goes something like this.

“WE HAVE TO GET INTO SOCIAL MEDIA!”

“I agree we can’t be left behind and it might be a silver bullet!”

“HOW DO WE DO IT?”

“I have a friend who’s into social media or we can use our internet guy.. he’s a wizard on Facebook.  Let’s get one of them to set it up and run it.”

“HAVE WE SOLD ANYTHING?”

“No not  yet.  I’ve been posting deals of the week and nothing sold.  But, I haven’t looked at it in a few days.”

“HOW COME WE ONLY HAVE A FEW LIKES?”

“I don’t know.  I told  you this was a waste of time!”

This scenario has taken place thousands of times.   All you have to do is look and you’ll see Facebook skeletons littering the internet.  All the sights look the same, very few likes and no post for months.

Here’s the problem!  Narrow thinking and a lack of social media knowledge.  It’s not the media!  It’s the driver.  It’s a new media AND very few people  understand how to make it work.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS

1) Review your social media platform.

2) Integrate your blog into digital and traditional media!

  • The blog  gives you great content every month for an e-newsletter.  Put 4 blogs into the newsletter and send it out.  Add fixed ops offers and encourage them to engage your social pages.
  • Each blog you publish enhances your Organic search rankings.  You’re becoming more relevant!
  • The blog gives you editorial content  to run in local newsletters for churches and other local organizations, community newspapers, and internet sites. Everyone needs free content!

3) Integrate Social Media into your sponsorships!

  • Don’t sponsor one more event or organization without creating a social media event out of it.
  • For the first time you can actually get value out of every donation you make.  In fact  you’ll see returns you never thought  possible.  When one of these opportutinites goes viral look out.   The added exposure of  TV, radio or newspaper exposure can be significant.

4) Integrate Social Media into your media negotiations.

  • Social Media should be apart of every media negotiation you do in the future.  Look for opportunities to tap into the media’s social networks.  Ask how do we create a dynamic social program with this promotion.  If you really want some added value out of your next media buy include social media.

OK… Social Media WORKS!  The problem is  the discussion is usually centered around the wrong topics.  

You shouldn’t be asking is it working.  You should be asking…..

 ”How do I Integrate Social Media into everything we do?”

Last thought>>> Stop thinking of Social Media as a stand alone media.  It’s a critical communication channel for your customers.  Make it a big part of yours.  Integrate!

 

 

 

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Leave a comment   Blogs, Cross Promotions, Events, MEDIA, Search Engines, SOCIAL, Uncategorized   , , , ,  

Wake Up!.. Marketing Is About To Get Really Hard!

August 23rd, 2011 -

 

Put a Post-It note right where you can see it and write down:

Marketing Is About To Get Really Hard!  What Am I Doing About It?

It’s the calm before the storm.  

Are dealers about to be caught unprepared?  The answer is a resounding YES!

If you thought marketing was challenging in 2009 watch the next few years closely!

HERE’S SOME BREAKING NEWS

There’s a dealer or two in your market who is preparing to dominate your market.  They’re developing an integrated marketing strategy that focuses on relevancy.  They understand the change in the air.

Here’s what they know!  The market place wants you to be relevant to their information needs and their communication preferences.

Many experts are calling it circle marketing or small town marketing.  Either way the consumer wants more relevant information and on their terms. 

For example this is going to affect:

  • How you approach Google Ad Words
  • Where you send  your consumers
  • What offers  you make
  • How you connect via Social Media, Digital or Traditional Media

Every message and path needs to be Integrated!

Social Media has forever changed the landscape.  It has empowered people to get relevant information and to share their experiences.  They’ve  discovered they can dictate how they wish to be communicated with.

Stop and write down  Social Media is my friend not my enemy.  It’s the missing link.  The link that will allow you to fully integrate your marketing efforts.  It will allow you to reach the circles and to be the leader in small town marketing.

Don’t think I’m talking about Facebook.  Facebook is only a tool.  I’m talking about the entire social media world.  It’s a place not a tool.

Integration strategists understand by expanding your frequency and interaction between media channels,  you’ll expand both your reach and your frequency while maintaining your brand and retail message.

Remember this>>> “The early adopters of integration strategies are thrilled about the reluctance of it’s competitors to keep pace.”

Don’t stick your head in the sand.  Marketing is about to get REALLY, REALLY HARD!

If your automotive ad agency is not taking to you about integration they might just be too old school.  Don’t let their lack of vision affect your future.  Ask about small town marketing. Ask about relevancy.  

Give me a shout if you want to talk integration.. I love it!

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How To Integrate Social Media Into Media Negotiations

August 1st, 2011 -

Traditional negotiations of a television buy consisted of the number of spots you could get for your budget. You’d also look at reach and frequency in an effort to hit some minimum numbers. You’d look at the cost per thousand as you targeted a specific demographic. Finally, if you didn’t like the programming it was usually eliminated.

It’s time to now integrate social media into your television, radio or print negotiations.

Yes, social media is a high priority with most local media properties. The obstacle for most stations is how do they leverage thier media with advertisers most auto client don’t have a vibrant social program?

The answer is they can’t!

This is great news for you!  (You do have a social media program don’t you?)

If not check out Social.Motive.

There are two dynamics working here. The stations are looking for partnerships with dealers who have a social media program  and a media budget.  The stations have two strong motivating factors.

1) To get your ad dollars
2) To show some value in their social networks

For example WFAA here in Dallas Fort Worth has over 23,000 likes on facebook and over 18 twitter accounts.  About 16,000 on one account alone.

Here’s how you do it… ASK!  

Ask how can we tie  your social network into theirs. Can we do some joint social promotions? Can we tie into some events you have scheduled? Can we tie into your local programing? Can we offer your social networks something exclusive?

For no extra cost you’re  potentially connecting into another 40,000 targeted individuals simply by participating in social media.  Just ask!  You have a motivated partner.

Integration of social media into your media negotiations is a must. Leverage, leverage and more leverage!

Integration is the name of the game.

Look to integrate everything you do.  You really can’t afford not to!!!!

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30 Top Integration Thoughts For Better Marketing

July 6th, 2011 -

Integration should be on your mind at all times.  

It’s without a doubt the key to marketing today and in the future.  If you’re not integrating you’re falling behind.

I created a list of 30 Integration starter idea’s for you!   Read the entire list and you’ll begin to feel the power that integration can deliver.

Remember it’s just a starter list… ENJOY! 

1) Integrate you call recordings with a service to review and flag missed opportunities

 

2) Integrate Facebook ads into your fixed operations offers

 

3)Integrate seasonal or promotional language into your Pay Per Click ads

 

4) Integrate hotspot technology and your landing page creative for digital

 

5) Integrate unique URL’s into your landing page program

 

6) Integrate site reports from Google analytics to lower bid prices

 

7) Integrate used digital ads with specific make and model on website

 

8) Integrate your blog with twitter and tweet 6 times per day

 

9) Integrate facebook and texting and gain valuable opt in cell numbers 

 

10) Integration of floor traffic and texting

 

11) Integrate your floor traffic and  texting

 

12) Integrate expandable banner ads with your live website

 

13) Integrate your traditional media buys with association ads

 

14) Integrate more emphasis on website in TV ads

 

15) Integrate the power of mass media social network with yours

 

16) Integrate media events in the community with your twitter and facebook

 

17) Integrate specific URL’s in print with dynamic digital landing pages

 

18) Integrate your blog content and make a great e-newsletter

 

19) Integrate your organic search efforts with your blog content and copy

 

20) Integrate your key search terms in your social content

 

21) Integrate outside experts to your social sites to add relevancy for search

 

22) Integrate texting into  your TV campaigns

 

23) Integrate QR Codes into all print and showroom materials

 

24) Integrate your blog with website home page

 

25) Integrate point of sale and  your social networks

 

26) Integrate be back strategies with texting

 

27) Integrate a tracking system that tracks traditional, digital and social

 

28) Integrate lifestyle data into your  media buys

 

29) Integrate zip code data for better digital results

 

30) Integration of free posting site with digital

 

Everyday be looking for ways to integrate and stretch your marketing dollars.  Take a look at what a day of integrated marketing looks like by clicking on this Integrated Marketing link.  

 

Please share some of your integration idea’s with us.  If your automotive ad agency isn’t integrating quickly share this list with them.

 

 

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Leave a comment   Banner Ads, Budgeting, Cross Promotions, LIFESTYLE MARKETING, Search Engines, SOCIAL, Text Messaging   , , ,  

Integration Drives Dealership Traffic

June 17th, 2011 -

What does Integration mean to  you?  

More Traffic

More Traffic, Less Spend

More Traffic, Less Spend, More Prospects

More Traffic, Less Spend, More Prospects, Greater Market Share

MORe Traffic, Less Spend, More Prospects, Greater Market Share, and a

HUGE Competitive Advantage!

The results are in.  Integration of traditional, digital and social media is the perfect storm. Yes, the market will always be fluid but when you harness the power of integration you really have something.

Integration requires you to look at things differently.  You must stop evaluating traditional, digital and social media as independent silo’s.  They can no longer be single tools.  They must interact!  They must be connected.  

The power of integration is simple. You stay connected with your prospect and customer through the buying cycle.  Your marketing is more viral, more interactive, more responsive and more effective.

Here’s how Wikipedia describes integration.

Integrated marketing communications – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) is the coordination and integration of all marketing communication tools, avenues, functions and sources within a …..
You Get The Picture!
Here’s your starter rules to get started.
  1. Stop treating each media channel as a stand alone tool.  
  2. Ask your self how can I integrate this.
  3. Live by the motto… I Integrate Everything!
Believe me there’s a way to integrate everything.  All  you have to do is ask the question!
Ask your automotive ad agency or search google for more help.  But what ever you do start integrating today!

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One comment   BRANDING, Cross Promotions, INTERACTIVE, Planning, Research, SOCIAL, USED CARS   , , , , , ,  

Our Nation’s Obsession with Facebook- and Why You Need to Capitalize on

April 18th, 2011 -

Facebook is apart of everyone’s life- that’s a given.  But how much so?  How has it tangled it’s way into the daily life of a American?  The numbers shown on this fantastic infographic below, go into detail on the staggering number of people logging into Facebook everyday and how it has changed news, photos, and communication all together.

With the sheer volume of people connecting online everyday, businesses have already started capitalizing on the connections that can be made through Facebook.  Are you one of the businesses that communicates daily messages to your customers and target audience?  Do you have contests, prizes, discounts and incentives to keep your customers happy?  If not, then you are missing an integral piece of your marketing plan.  If you still doubt the power of social media and what it can do for your business, take a look a the numbers from the infograph, and I am positive you will see why it is a must-have in your personal and business life.

Give us a call 800-678-7822 if you would like to understand more how social media can help your business.

Or if your RV advertising agency is not giving you the results you need.

Via: Online Schools

 LEAVE A COMMENT | CATEGORY: FACEBOOK, SOCIAL ,
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Marketing Guru’s… I Bet You’re Not Here Yet!

November 12th, 2010 -

Integrated marketing is here!  And it’s more powerful than you can imagine.

Talk about a competitive advantage!

If  you want to know what it looks and feels like watch this video from Social.Motive.

Traditional Advertising + Digital Advertising + Social Media

Hold ON!

If you’d like  more thoughts on how to make integrated marketing work just drop me a note.  It will be interesting to see how many Automotive Ad Agencies can connect with this new world.

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Leave a comment   Banner Ads, Blogs, CREATIVE, Cross Promotions, INTERACTIVE, Search Engines, SOCIAL   , , , , ,  

How To Have Your Automotive Ad Agency Achieve Some Terrific ROI

September 6th, 2010 -

 

One of my basic rules for social media:

  • Inject social media into traditional advertising. 

Although digital marketing might not be as old as television and radio it gives you a great opportunity to reach out to your customers.  Creating a newsletter using your Blog content will connect with your database.

These three examples are taken from a Social.Motive sldie show.  They demonstrate regardless the size of your database you can expect some great results.  Each of these newsletters would cost $500 to $ 1,000 if created from scratch.  In a good social media program they are just an added benefit.

  • Open rate in these three examples ranged from 18% to 32%.   You really should be doing this once a month if you want to effectively own your customers and grow your market share.  This is great ROI! 

If your Automotive Ad  Agency or staff is not prepared to execute give us a call.  We put in the game  in a very short order.

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The Key To Social Media Is The Blog… Have Your Automotive Ad Agency Take This First Step

September 2nd, 2010 -

There’s no doubt  the anchor to a successful social media plan starts with a dealer blog.  

Use this video blog to ensure  you begin with the right platform.

If your automotive ad agency isn’t getting you ahead of the social media wave give me a call.  I promise I’ll get you pointed in the right direction.

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How To Get Your Automotive Advertising In Touch With The Digital Customer

August 31st, 2010 -

The world of automotive advertising is changing quickly.  

No longer can you afford to ignore the development of a  comprehensive strategy for today’s digital customer.  

This video blog will provide some  insight into today’s customer and how you can connect with them.

If your automotive ad agency is not prepared or ready to attack this new world give us a call.  This is what we do.

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Leave a comment   BRANDING, Budgeting, CREATIVE, INTERACTIVE, Planning, SOCIAL   , , , ,  
 
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