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Hiring a Full-Time SEO and Internet Marketing Manager for your Dealership

Joe B, that is hilarious. Thank you for making me laugh so hard.

Tony, I can appreciate the fact that you are having to operate on a limited budget and I’m sure that based on your spend you are achieving great results. It is unfortunate that the decision maker at your store is not as forward thinking and open minded as you are. I guess the reason I took the time to post is because your comments seemed a bit like throwing stones in a glass house. This is a house that I have worked in for many years and there are many dedicated hard working professionals (like you) that are giving their heart and soul to this industry everyday. Maybe it was the word “stab” that triggered me, nevertheless I am glad that you are willing to admit that there are areas that we can all improve on.

You also bashed the training of one of the better providers in the marketplace. Unless you know different Cars.com does not charge extra for their dealer training and as you will see on this site they provide seminars dedicated to achieving better results on a monthly basis. The rep I know is constantly bringing in articles about best practices throughout the industry.

I try my best to adhere to the philosophy if I can’t speak positive about someone I just observe.
 
I agree with "Observer" that Tony Weaver needs to cjeck his ego at the door. I vistited this man's site and there are more pictures of him on there than there are cars! In addition, the picture quality is definitely less than impressive. Who takes 30 pictures of a single vehicle? Do we really need to see what the dash look like with the cup holder "in" AND "out"? Also, the video on the website instructs people on how to get the so called best price. However, any respectable consumer would quickly close the page after being instructed like they were some sort of idiot! "Observer" had it right. The picture placement is inconsistent and did I mention all the pictures of Tony and his other "Mob-Like" looking salesperson? Who would buy a car from either of those guys. They look like the characters from the Sopranos! I'm surprised that with all the pictures of opened car trunks, that there are no bodies in them! I could almost hear the Godfather theme song playing in the background as I researched the site! On the other hand, "Observer" mentioned the need for spell/grammar check on Tony's website. And while I agree with you ("Observer") that Tony's website is in desperate need of an English lesson, you may want to follow your own advice and check your posts for spelling/grammar errors. Don't take this as "bashing", but someone needs to inform you that there is no "g" in the word "and"; that there are 2 "o"s in the word "too" when using it as an adverb meaning 'more than is necessary or useful'; and that a comma does not replace the need for a PERIOD! My gosh, there are more commas in that run-on sentence filled paragraph of yours than there are pictures of Tony Weaver on his website!
 
Yes, we spend a lot of time working on grammar and punctuation. I was hired because of my English degree, and I receive a raise each time I dot an i. This isn't simply Web 2.0, it is Web 0.o - get with it!

Tony - thank you for making my day! This has been a hilarious string of comments. I agree with you in that it is good to be well-rounded in this line of work. That is true of anything...experience is king.

On a different note...how did Checkered Flag get so rooted in this conversation?
 
Mr., Ms., or Mrs. Another Observer... why so emotionally temperature?

OMG And how's could you mispell check? That's really blasphamy from the darkist depthes of hell... alL this gramatial erroring from these thread posts is making me nautiousical here.

No wondered the car businesses sales slumping are happening now right as we spoken!

C'mon Another, just uses Microsofts Word first, then second hits spellcheck, then copied every things and pasted it in to the Comments sectional Areas.

Its really vary simpical.

Piece Out.

Joe B. Observer
"Loosening that atmosphere on boreds every wear on line"
 
Snyder,
I don't know, someone mentioned your site and I think Jeff's as a comparison to mine, and how bad mine is!

From there it was comedy. I am going to have to put together some of my own thoughts, put through spell check and send them over to Jeff. Maybe an anti Web 2.0 article, or why 3rd part venders are hurting dealerships on the web... I am going to do it!

And to Observer, if you are a third party provider (not a dealer) your opinion means nothing to me.. As far as shattering glass houses, I got a lot more stones to throw, but next time I will do it in a format that will be acceptable. Love, peace, and gosh I am sorry that I got some people upset, Tony
 
Tony,

I held my breath a bit today reading your comments along with the others. Being on the road was a good thing becuase it helped me think of what I was going to say.

I hope my comments at least mean a little something to you as being a website vendor myself. I have been in your shoes (Internet Director/ Marketing, saleswoman etc). I can speak from the heart and understand your frustration. (I hope others see my comments as valuable information to absorb)...

"Think open minded"

Really, I think we fell of the track on this posting. Maybe from Tony's Kool-Aid he passed around. I am not sure.

Do they come in 6 packs?

It saddens me that many Dealership do not support the Departments ( Internet ) that are considered to be the "Golden Departments" these days.

Finding the right individual and investing in them is a hard task. Tony, I am not sure I would consider you being a valuable SEO/SEM/IT etc etc in my dealership after those fun stabs you threw out there.

All should be considered upper management and have the authorities to make those crucial decisions for the dealership. Oh yeah, let them be part of the weekly meetings too.

Tony, I didn't even go to your site and am glad that I did not. After these comments I am a little afraid to see the pictures. LOL.. No hard feelings... Lets stay positive :)

From so many pictures of you throughout your site, are you afraid the salesman are going to steal your leads?

Come on guys and gals, "What was this post about again?"......