Should Dealers or Ad Groups Wait until the Perfect Moment to Jump in on Social Media?

Gary Hayes at @GaryPHayes Personalize Media, created this killer Flash App to show how quickly Social Media is advancing.

If you're a Dealer or Ad Group and still think Social Media is a temporary phase, you might want to reconsider your stance. Numbers like these will get anyone thinking.

Out of the Box

Interested to see an fascinating and effective marketing campaign OUTSIDE the automotive space? Here you go... click the banner and check it out. And no, you don't have to vote for me...and in fact, I'd prefer you didn't. :)

Flash Point Named Ford Motor Company's Preferred Social Media Vendor

We couldn't be more excited! After more than 10 years of working with FLM Dealers from around the country, we recently received word that we were Ford's Preferred Social Media Vendor.

But with all the excitement, there's also a lot of questions. Why is Social Media Important? How are Dealers or Dealer Ad Groups using it? And why Flash Point Communications?

Why Social Media for Ad Groups?
As you already know, according to most studies, roughly 80%-90% of car shoppers turn to the internet prior to visiting a showroom. So the question is: when they DO search online, will they find your store? Getting found is where Social Media can help. Why? In a word: “visibility”. By publishing information about your Ad Group or Store via Social Media (Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Flickr, etc.), you’re populating the internet with useful information about your store, about your vehicles, about your great customer service, and even how wonderfully you stack up against your competition. And if they can’t find you, they’re less likely to buy from you.

Even better? Consider testimonials from customers about a new purchase or a great service experience. Which do you think is more persuasive? Your latest ad? Or an authentic testimonial from a happy customer?

How are Dealers or Dealer Ad Groups Using Social Media?
Everything from online retention, conquesting and reputation management, Dealers and Ad Groups can benefit from social media. Want an example? Go to Youtube and search the term “Ford Customer Service”. Know the first organic search you’ll find? Yup. The video we did for the NW Ford Dealers, “Showroom Rap” about the Ford Focus. Now Google “Camry vs Mercury Milan Hybrid”. You’ll find the videos we did for the New England LM Dealers in the top position. So if it’s retention or conquesting, Social Media can play a huge role.

Like to see a few examples?
We built an entire platform (Flickr, Youtube, Facebook and Twitter) for the Northwest Ford Dealers. Click Here.
Interested in following along on a Road Trip through the Desert with the AZ/NV Ford Dealers? Click Here
Interested to see how the SW Lincoln Mercury Dealers are making life better for their residents via charitable endeavors? Click here.

So, Why Flash Point?
Maybe it’s our 10 years of digital marketing for Dealer Ad Groups. Maybe it’s our proprietary Facebook tools like our Dealer Inventory, Locator or Offer feeds. Or maybe that it's we're driven to innovate, push the envelope and over-deliver for our Dealers.



The bottom line: if you’d like a full presentation on how Social Media can benefit you, all you need to do is drop us a line or give us a call. We’d love to talk to you. But one way or another…get started today.

How to Sell with Social Media?

How do you use Social Media to sell? Can you use it to sell?

This quick post is in response to that very question.

We've had phenomenal success on behalf of our clients with our social media efforts lately. And the key for us and our clients has been to create a unique and compelling opportunity for people to engage in a deep and meaningful way with our client brands. So, whether it's their love of California ,
or desire to contribute to their community , or just a plain old itch to roadtrip to Vegas...while getting a chance to drift Mustangs and race F150's, we've found success in the simple idea of creating unique content, relevant to the group who we intend to attract and engage, always hold our client's brand in high esteem and creatively and thoughtfully integrate interesting and useful product knowledge. It's hard work...but if you check out the pages, you'll also see how much fun it can be.

For more information on "The Best of California" check out: http://bit.ly/BestofCA
For more information on "We Love our Southwest Community" check out: http://www.facebook.com/southwestlm
For more information on "Desert Adventure" check out: http://www.facebook.com/yourlocalforddealers

Prodding from a Friend

Friend and car dealer, Chris Lemley just gave me a friendly nudge and reminder to get my tail in gear regarding my blog. Truth is, I didn't forget about it so much as I just got swamped with other things.

Well, now the truth is, I'm just as swamped but I've got a few things to say.

New things like...new hires at Flash Point. Still a secret. New clients New services (BunkBedTM New challenges (if you know me, or follow me on twitter, you know what they are, new opportunities and even a new baby.



Still amazes me how much has transpired in the last 7 months. Hmmm...Is it me or has sooooo much changed in the last 7 months?

I look forward to catching up with everyone again. :)

Our New Youtube Channel

Introducing our new Youtube Channel. Lot's of stuff to talk about. I think we're going to have lots to talk about.

Exponential Growth in...Everything?

Worth watching. Mind blowing.