Search results

  1. Katie

    How Hard Do You Try To Convert?

    Some leads that come into our system are no-brainers. People who want cars, right now, and are willing to come into your dealership to get the best deal. Make them an appointment and then BOOM. Moving a car. One more notch on your white erase board. I love easy deals. My question lies in the...
  2. Katie

    Which CRM are you using?

    I'd be interested to see if anyone is using (and how they feel about) e-autobusiness' Aeros CRM. I was a fond user a few years back, and a few dealers that I know continue to utilize it. The reports had to be my favorite part at the time.
  3. Katie

    AVA (Automated Virtual Assistant): anyone used it?

    Bryan - I've been out of the front line of the BDC for a few years and I always hated the virtual representatives. I'm impressed to hear that the technology has improved. Though, I shouldn't be surprised, the last time I was sitting in front of a computer calling leads, I also had a Nokia phone...
  4. Katie

    Chat

    Of course, I may be biased since I am affiliated with an Automotive Live Chat provider. HOWEVER, I do come from a dealer background and I cal tell you that having assisted Live Chat is a great resource. It's my firm belief that you must interact with the people on your website, or else they can...
  5. Katie

    Books that changed who you are

    What a great topic! I'm a HUGE fan of The Catcher in the Rye for a Fiction Piece. I read it in High School and I remember I was quite awkward at the time. Reading about another awkward child helped. Also, QBQ - learning about personal accountability has saved my professional life.
  6. Katie

    Give Your Automotive Sales Leads The Attention They Deserve

    One of the great achievements in the automotive business is the ability to get repeat and referral business. It's really great to reap the benefits of a job well done for years to come. However, no business can survive solely on repeat and referrals alone. In order to generate new business...
  7. Katie

    How are your phone skills?

    Just wanting to give Carey a big *High Five*. Way to go, and I loved seeing your improvement!
  8. Katie

    Is SEO/PPC a Religion or a Cult?

    Ed, I saw an interesting cartoon, that I unfortunately can't find right now, but it said something like "You're a Social Media Specialist? So Am I!" A year ago, SEO Gurus and Specialists were few, but now everyone is a Guru or specialist. Kind of lost its glimmer. At least, IMO.
  9. Katie

    3 Main Reasons Why Dealerships Should Use Foursquare

    I have some close friends who are really involved in social media and as you know, it's all about 'who you know', so I put the message out there to see if any of them had a direct contact for anyone at the FourSquare headquarters....which is probably a college frat house. :rofl: I'll let you...
  10. Katie

    Free! 24/7 Live Dealer Chat Support, Staff, and Leads (Case Study 2 Months)

    Even though I could easily shoot you an e-mail and just ask what the dealer numbers are looking like, I still like the anticipation of waiting for the post to hit. It's the little things.
  11. Katie

    Buy Here Pay Here

    Hey, Brian (bandersen), that chat idea isn't bad, Maybe we should talk! ;-)
  12. Katie

    What Not To Blog

    Tim is a great writer, but I think his posts are more for a personal blog. I think it's important to remember that Tim's views are now the views of the dealership. I feel like it is dangerous water to tread. Should he be blogging? Absolutely! But about fashion and etc. on the dealership blog...
  13. Katie

    Critiquing A Live Dealer Chat Script -- Chat Tracks

    I was always one for "Jack Handy is now here to help!" or something of that sort. Great point you saw, though!
  14. Katie

    Critiquing A Live Dealer Chat Script -- Chat Tracks

    Asking Yes/No questions instead of open ended. Maybe should/could have said: "Okay, sir, what's your phone number, let me go over this over the phone with you right now so we can get you looking at the vehicles that you're interested in!" Wonder what the customer's name is? Should have/could...
  15. Katie

    What Not To Blog

    The more I listened to the posters reasoning (we had a brief exchange via Facebook), the more I understood where he was coming from. Maybe my fear of offending someone holds me back a little.
  16. Katie

    What Not To Blog

    Most dealerships and dealer service providers have a blog, right? And while you try to have engaging conversation that will promote folks to comment and revisit your blog, are there some topics that you just don't discuss? http://blog.marlboronissan.com/2010/07/19/variety-bad-for-business/ I...
  17. Katie

    Secret Shopping Chat Result - Acceptable or Detestable?

    Who Does Your BDC Consist Of? After chatting with a fellow auto biz member, I'm curious as to whether your BDC/Internet Department are: 1) One in the same? Or Separate 2) Simple a selected group of salesmen? And if you're feeling super proactive, if you could throw a few reasons out there of...
  18. Katie

    How are your phone skills?

    I enjoyed this phone call a lot. I come from a sub prime background and while it's similar, we had a lot more "selling points" that we could use. But this call was fabulous. I always found called customers who did internet inquiries were a bit harder than those who submitted an actual auto loan...
  19. Katie

    Hiring 2 New Management Positions @ Dealerskins - Sales and Serach

    Hey Joe, Would these positions be office based, or able to be done remotely? I have some connections that seem perfect for this position!
  20. Katie

    Do you have a BDC or are planning to add one?

    I answered on behalf of the dealership that I worked for almost a year ago because I know they're still working with an in house BDC. We did have an awesome business plan that we executed back in 2007 that enabled us to become an outsourced BDC and at one point we did BDC services for about 20...