January 2012
23 posts
ADM Leaders - Automotive Digital Marketing... →
Become an ADM Leader - ADM Professional Community Leaders have been at the core of what makes ADM the most popular and visited automotive professional community in North America according to Compete, Inc. data. ADM Leaders are dedicated to this community and the success of its members. Their sole responsibility is to welcome and assist new ADM members, post blogs, comment on forum discussions,...
Flip It! Why spend more on Sales Marketing than... →
It is time for sales professionals to start collaborating with automotive service professionals in delivering a better experience to customers who choose to use a dealership’s service department… This includes presenting select service clients who may be in an “equity position” with their choices and opportunities to replace their current vehicle with a new or newer...
Invite A Friend To ADM Day - Jan 26th - Automotive... →
So, let’s all grow together! What we’re proposing is one day a month, the last Thursday, being a day that you invite other car people to join us here at ADM. Remember, your own personal growth depends on it!
Google Changes Algorithm; Affects Top-Heavy Ad... →
Ali Amirrezvani states; “So how does Google tell what is an ad and what isn’t? They have a “variety of signals that algorithmically determine what type of ad or content appears above the fold, but no further details to share. It is completely algorithmic in its detection…”. Not surprisingly, Google isn’t giving many details. Double check your landing pages,...
New Jersey Lexus - LexusGX470 walk around by Ken... →
I have watched HUNDREDS of Vehicle Presentation Videos and this is one of the best I have ever seen. Watch Ken beam in action and learn how to use VPV’s to sell more cars…
AutoUSA Internet Sales Solutions To Feature New... →
“Study after study has revealed that the wide variation between dealerships’ results with leads are due more to store process than the quality of the leads,” says Phil DuPree, President of AutoUSA. “We know the leads being submitted to independent auto sites are in-market customers and our lead sources are validated within the AutoNation stores. The goal with our new product line is to help...
CarChat24 Announces Free Premium Dealer Chat... →
Pilot Dealer Offer: Approved dealers who are willing to actively participate in our Extended Beta testing will be rewarded with the free use of our new premium dealer specific live chat software. Beta test dealers may also qualify for free 24/7 Staffed Back-Up support. All we ask in return is the dealers active participation and feedback to help us make our software #1. We think we have...
CarChat24 Announces Free Premium Dealer Chat... →
Pilot Dealer Offer: Approved dealers who are willing to actively participate in our Extended Beta testing will be rewarded with the free use of our new premium dealer specific live chat software. Beta test dealers may also qualify for free 24/7 Staffed Back-Up support. All we ask in return is the dealers active participation and feedback to help us make our software #1. We think we have...
Facebook Marketing Tips for Car Dealers -... →
Official Facebook Marketing and Advertising for Car Dealers; Tips, Tools and Resources
Does Your Website Pass All Google Diagnostic... →
Brian Pasch advises (and I agree): Dealers/GM’s should view their site’s GWT Reports Each Month. This article showcases just two of many important GWT reports that dealers should use to make sure that your website is configured properly and optimized for Google search. Another important report is “Links to Your Site” report (see image by using link) which will show...
Americans Forced To Drive Old Cars Because YOU Are... →
New-car sales fell sharply in 2008 from 16.2 million in 2007 to 13.2 million, according to AutoData Corp. And falling another 2.8 million, to only 10.4 million in 2009. Large traders General Motors and Chrysler fell into bankruptcy and Ford was forced to restructure itself to avoid the same fate. With close to 6 million fewer new cars on the road, the average age of cars on the road climbed. Polk...
ADM Professional Community Member Reception at... →
The 2012 NADA Reception for ADM Professional Community Members is at the Monte Carlo Hotel “The Pub” on Friday from 6 to 9 PM… Want to attend? Complete your RSVP at:
http://www.automotivedigitalmarketing.com/events/adm-member-reception-at-nada
From the Trenches – Is Your Reputation For Sale? -... →
Tom Gorham states: “I say, let the buyer beware. These companies will not be liable for your “false reviews”. You are and will be responsible and there are legal penalties involved. These companies will fade into the darkness as your reviews are removed by new Google policies aiming to protect Google’s reputation for providing real reviews. Your 250 great reviews will disappear...
Flip It! Why spend more on Sales Marketing than... →
Grow your service business to grow your sales, not the other way around. It is much easier to own the Service marketing space in your market than it is, as you know, to own the sales marketing space. This is not a hypothetical idea because there are a number of very successful stores that have adopted this strategy and have grown their monthly sales by over 100 units per month by growing the...
Richard J Bustillo's ADM Profile page - Automotive... →
What interesting insights can you contribute to the ADM Community? Are you PASSIONATE about anything? Tell us who you REALLY are!Richard responds: I love the automotive retail business. I am passionate about revlolutionizing the way we do business. I want to my customers to be raving fans.
Facebook Marketing Tips for Car Dealers -... →
Why Create a Conversation Calendar?
Think of your Page like a well-planned magazine with consistent, targeted content:
Post updates when fans are most engaged (this data can be found in Page Insights)
Offer weekly features and other regular content
Learn how to make a simple Conversation Calendar
Compete Data: Top 5 Auto Industry Targeted Site... →
It is interesting to note that when these Auto Industry Targeted Networks are compared based on total visits to each site during the month of December 2011, including repeat visits from loyal members and participants, the ranking order changes to: (click the link to see rankings)
Facebook Advertising Performance Rises 18% in 2011... →
CPC Rises in US - Data from TBG’s “Global Facebook Advertising Report” indicates that the average Facebook ad cost per click (CPC) experienced an increase of only 1% between Q3 and Q4 2011 in the major markets, although the US saw an increase of 10%. According to TBG insight, this could point to demand increasing as more brands are advertising on Facebook and supply plateauing as US user...
So how do you target/market your "Out-of-Season"... →
I absolutely love the way Ken Beam uses microsites combined with relevant keyword enriched URL’s… I recommend that other dealers pay attention!
AutoSuccess Announces Top 12 Companies to Watch in... →
The most profitable dealers are getting more aggressive in 2012 and are utilizing innovative digital strategies to attract, sell, service and retain more of their customers in a way that is more profitable. Many of these dealers have either created new technologies or utilized other companies’ technologies to improve their business.
Are You Buying Bogus Reviews? - Automotive Digital... →
Jeffrey Taylor asks: What Do You Think About Buying Fake Google reviews? I would love to hear from anyone that is currently using one of these fake review companies and tell me why it is a good long term business decision. Better yet, if there is a reader that is selling this service, please enlighten me as to how it is legal and within Google’s rules. (won’t hold my breath...
PARAGON HONDA & ACURA IS TOP-SELLING AMERICAN... →
Paragon attributes its success to a combination of innovative buyer programs, as well as a focus on providing continually increasing service standards. The company was among the first auto retailers in the US, for example, to create and market its own mobile app; the Paragon Honda App allows users to browse Paragon’s entire inventory from their own mobile device, create a...
Challenging Charles Kim From TrueCar.com And His... →
In response to Charles Kim - The ADM Professional Community is an open forum where you are free to express your opinions, present your recommendations and either agree or disagree with anything else that has been posted… Where you get off on debasing the ADM Professional Community is in many ways more telling about you than anything TrueCar represents as your employer. I have...
December 2011
40 posts
Learn about the Community Food Bank of NJ |... →
Ken Beam has provided us with a great example of a dealership using its resources to rally people in their local community to support a worthy cause. This is one of many ways car dealerships have become an integral part of so many communities across America.
True Car and ZAG - Cyber Bandits or Good for the... →
Jim Ziegler Guidance: Ten Areas We Need to Concentrate on to Bring This Monster to It’s Knees… 1. Government investigation of ALL Data Aggregators taking consumer information from dealers’ DMS. Sadly enough, dealers who do business with TrueCar are exposed to liability charges. Cut off all access to unecessary data, no matter who takes it from the dealers DMS and make it illegal...
Bankruptcy Good for Auto Industry - TrueCar's... →
Many thanks to Rob Fontano for the YouTube link to Scott Painter’s interview by Bimbo, er, Bambi Francisco (me bad). I am sorry, Bambi, but when you try to add color commentary about the auto industry, as if you know something about it, you sound like an idiot. Now, I am certain Bambi has never sold cars for a living, but HAS SHE EVER ACTUALLY PURCHASED A VEHICLE? Because, her inane...
5 Reasons It’s Not Your Breath - Automotive... →
Kurt Kubicki asks; So why then do customers leave without buying? Are the reasons they give to our sales staff for walking the real ones? It’s kinder to the ego to believe they left to check with a spouse or for other excuses than for the “Real Reason versus the False Excuse.”
Use the link provided to read the full article…
TrueCar Consumer Incentive to Report Dealer Sales... →
In my opinion, this is simply brilliant. The data provided by this sweepstakes will include sales made by dealers NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE TRUECAR VEHICLES SALES PROGRAM!
The "Number ONE" Profit Leak in our business...... →
Customers contacting dealerships via telephone continues to grow based on tap-to-dial smartphone adoption… If you do not get a handle on your handling of incoming phone calls, the phones will become your top profit leak in your dealership. Check out Chip King’s article to see what you can do about it.
ADM Professional Network Visitor Metrics - Two... →
For the past 4 years, over 2,000 automotive professionals each day visit the ADM Professional Community for a competitive advantage from the use of digital marketing strategies and tactics…
Virginia Speaks Out Against TrueCar Model -... →
So… Virginia Car Dealers could be assessed civil penalties or their license could be suspended or revoked if they compensate TrueCar or an other unlicensed entity under any and all of the scenarios that involve utilization of the TrueCar vehicle purchase program. That is a pretty heavy cross to bear just to get lazy and give all your data to TrueCar so they can figure out how to assess...
ADM Members - Is AutoTrader Your Secret Santa? -... →
Brian Pasch has published a fascinating automotive digital marketing strategy… My digital marketing teams have seen the connection between Online Display Advertising (ODA) and Google search queries for branded terms used in the display ads for years, but this article and the attached charts illustrate the consumer’s movement through the channel from seeing an ad, to doing a search, to...
Automotive Industry Message from Scott Painter,... →
Scott Painter states; “Is TrueCar good for all dealers? There will always be those that resist change. To our dealer partners, we applaud your understanding that truth, transparency, and customer service is at the center of success in our changing market. And, to those that still have questions, we invite an open dialogue. One of the great virtues of transparency is that we have nothing to...
Kansas Bans TrueCar - KANSAS AUTOMOBILE DEALERS... →
It is our understanding that a number of Kansas franchised new car and truck dealers are currently doing business utilizing the TrueCar/Zag format. It is also our understanding that several formal complaints have been filed with the Kansas Department of Revenue’s Division of Motor Vehicles requesting an investigation of those dealers who have been identified. Use the link provided to read ...
For Those of Us Not on ADM.... SMH - Automotive... →
70% of Americans are online daily, checking emails, facebook, google,etc. Google alone gets over 91 million searches daily. According to QVC.com, QVC expects that 50% of its sales will come from the internet by 2014. Facebook has over 320 million users. Understand that 70% of Americans online includes 70% of your previous customer, 70% of your future or potential customers and 70% of your service...
Top 20 Google Search Engine Advertisers of 2011 -... →
The top spender is IAC/InterActiveCorp at more than $174 million. IAC owns Ask.com, Match.com, Citysearch and several other companies that are all buying long-term non-used inventory from Google.
Other top players such as Amazon ($118 million), eBay ($70 million), and several car insurance agencies (State Farm, $54 million; Allstate, $50 million; Progressive, $46 million) invested several...
AutoData and Chrome combine forces - Now known as... →
“The combination of Autodata and Chrome will allow the North American automotive retail industry, including Internet portals, OEMs, lenders, automotive retailers, and solution providers, to benefit from one-stop shopping for their data and content needs,” said Mark O’Neil, chairman and chief executive officer, DealerTrack. “Each company has an established, trusted legacy of...
A TRUECar Christmas Carol- Trailer - Automotive... →
Brad did a great job of capturing Scott Painter as Ebenezer Scrooge in this Christmas Carol parody…
Colorado Bans TrueCar - Department of Revenue and... →
EDITOR’S NOTE: I have also attached the original Colorado Department of Revenue document to this ADM Forum discussion as a file attachment for ADM Members to download in its entirety… My questions for this discussion are as follows: 1. Does this ruling mean that TrueCar is not able to do business in the State of Colorado? 2. Will other state Departments of Revenue and Motor...
Facebook; Latest 15 Facts and Figures –... →
The first phase of he web started with portals such as Yahoo and AOL, providing sources of information from news to mega categories of information. The reason this occurred was that search engine technology was so immature that finding information was cumbersome and difficult. These platforms dominated from the mid 1990′s until early in the new century. The second phase was the rise of...
TrueCar Insider Information - Automotive Digital... →
Written by Larry Bruce - Mr. Painter my statements and questions to you: A fair price is one the customer accepts based on their own parameters not oneS you artificially create with the TureCar Curve…PERIOD!
Zag / TrueCar is a pass through middle man, your company is the very company the internet eventually eliminates. All you and TrueCar are effectively doing is creating a point for the dealer...
Scott Painter of TrueCar Discusses Data Sources,... →
This 14 minute video is Scott Painter’s response to recent auto industry criticism that TrueCar has received. He describes the TrueCar uses of data as well as sources and why car dealers should enroll in the TrueCar automotive retail sales program.
Los Angeles Times Reports Honda Fighting TrueCar -... →
Price negotiations are “the piece of the pie that shoppers say they are the most dissatisfied with,” said Arianne Walker, a senior director at J.D. Power & Associates, the automotive research firm. About 4 out of 5 shoppers now go to the Internet and seek out some sort of information about the autos they are interested in, including price data, Walker said. TrueCar “provides...
TrueCar Insider Information - Automotive Digital... →
I am posting this information that was sent to me by a TrueCar/ZAG insider to the ADM Forum section to generate discussions around the topics referenced in each section and the bullet points that follow… What is your opinion or insight on the listed sections shown?
Quality Grows As Top Factor in Car Buying... →
Women Want an Easy Transaction - Besides vehicle build quality… According to a separate CarMax survey conducted by Ipsos released in November, roughly 1 in 4 women said what was most missing from their last car-buying experience was a quick and effortless transaction. A fair trade-in value, trustworthy salesperson, or low, fair pricing (all at 15%) were most missing for relatively fewer...
DealerRater Leverages Adwords To Drive Traffic To... →
Chip Grueter and Brian Pasch exchange post and comment - I just wanted to comment on how much I enjoyed both the blog post and Chip’s response… Being fairly familiar and friends with both of you, I could not help but chuckle when I read Chip’s response. Also, I have to say that Chip’s response was enlightening in several aspects. Personally, I find the combination of...
How Dealers United Works - Automotive Dealership... →
When considering the Dealers United value proposition, there are at least two important points to identify and evaluate:
1. What is the problem being solved?
2. Who are the principals and can they be relied upon to deliver?
In the case of Dealers United, the problem the company seeks to solve is fairly easy to understand, it is simply one of economics and purchasing power… Large...
Honda Warns Dealers About TrueCar - Bad for the... →
Mike Warwick, director of digital marketing for the seven-store Kelly Automotive Group in suburban Boston, agrees with Honda’s policy toward TrueCar. “Honda’s trying to protect the gross profit in selling a car and trying to protect the salespeople who are the backbone of the industry,” Warwick said. Kelly, with a Honda store and two Nissan stores among its holdings,...
Ness: Smarter Than Google and Yelp? - Automotive... →
After reading this article, my question is whether or not Ness should be used in a dealer’s reputation management strategy and listed on review guidance dealer sites, such as http://www.FeldmannReviews.com - What do you think?
TrueCar Sales Process - Automotive Digital... →
Adam Barish’s list makes me want to thump my chest, do high fives and smack-downs… However, in all sincerity, if you work in a dealership that uses TrueCar or any other value-diminishing price focused based marketing strategy, once the vehicle is sold, the damage is done. The mistake was made long before the customer showed up at the dealership. Therefore, why punish the customer for...