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Social Networking is more popular than emailing! What does that mean?

Hey you peeps got it going on. Thinking digital age. I like that.

Coming from a serious social networking guru... I suggest you dealers don't over inflate the ROI on social networking alone.

Spread your Internet departments jar of mustard thick, and on the regular in those social networks. It's free you know! But I offer some suggestions on how to be effective in not turning peoples off from subscribing to your Fan page. Yes your fan page. You don't want a profile. Because profiles are for people silly. Start fan pages. Use yourself or a team of people in your dealership on facebook as your catalyst.

Getting fans is like becoming a rockstar on facebook. Look at how Skittles.com uses facebook. They have a kick ass fan page that everyone wants to subscribe to.

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Blogs... are your channels. But strategize your use of them.

Warning! I unsubscribe from a lot of f'n birds on twitter because they tweet to f'n much.

You starting to catch my drift. I stumbled upon this blog because I followed a facebook update, which lead to a twitter page, which lead to a tiny url link to this blog. PWN!

Your Internet Sales dept needs to be your digital army with all the right tools.

This is the general speaking.
 
Engage users, build your network and keep users coming back for more with Windows Live Messenger! Use the Windows Live Messenger Web Toolkit to connect users and let them communicate with hundreds of millions of Windows Live Messenger users all over the world. Use the Windows Live Messenger client (v. 7.0 and later) to develop a single- or multi-user application through the Windows Live Messenger Activity API.
 
Regardless of the methods for advertising on social media, social networks are here to stay, growing by leaps and bounds. We have just launched a new Social Value Network website, our goal is to help all members achieve success and give advertiser's the opportunities to advertise. Because of the diversity of audience visiting social networks, its becoming a prime target for reaching their targeted market.
 
Um... uh... where did I take a wrong turn???
When I need to buy a car I go to a dealer, take look at a few cars and then buy one.
How did all of this become such a tangled web of Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Blogs, Windows Live Messenger! You poor poor dealers and car buyers... how did you turn something so utterly simple into something so damn complicated??? I was in sales for 16 years, selling a product that didn't need any special "devices" to get customers because the product was exceptional. What is up with all this anxiety and frantic search for the "magic bullet"? Seems like you've all lost your minds and it's very very sad to observe. Lord_Finesse: you are the SCARIEST of the bunch.
 
@Joe, you obviously did take a wrong turn. You made a left turn down the yellow brick road when you were supposed to yield right onto I2009.

I recommend we all take Joe's advise, screw differentiating ourselves and finding out how to speak to our customers rather speaking at them. Let's roam the showroom floor and wait for the bus of customers that are lined up and dieing to purchase our exceptional products without building some type of relationship first.
 
When I'm buying a vehicle I'm not looking for a "relationship" I just want to buy a car (as long as I'm treated with respect from the salesperson) and leave. The more a store, dealership or corporation etc. speaks of "relationship" "family" "honesty" "integrity" etc., the less likley those values are actually being displayed. Just do it, don't talk about it or put up banners with the pretty words.
 
I'm sorry Joe, I forgot..everyone buys the same way you do. Silly me.

You are right though..the word "relationship" can be thrown around loosely. I don't mean that in the sense that you should have a new BFF by end of the transaction.

Eitherway you're NOT going to purchase your car from someone that is not professional and is not willing to listen to what you want and need.

I find it hard to believe that you sold something for 16 years and never had to build a relationship EVER with anyone nor did you ever have to network outside of your 1 degree. Social Media/networking is no different...you just need to know how to do it right.

"The more a store, dealership or corporation etc. speaks of “relationship” “family” “honesty” “integrity” etc., the less likley those values are actually being displayed. Just do it, don’t talk about it" - Totally agree with you there!
 
I treated my customers with absolute respect, never attempted to "convince" them they needed anything which they indicated they didn't want. Never attempted to change their minds in order to increase the sale, and therefor, my commission. I sent them thank you cards for each sale and a card to celebrate their birthday; a follow-up call after each sale (not to sell more to them) simply to thank them for the purchase already made. I'm retired at a young age, enough money to live a simple and modest life (a very small home, nothing fancy at all about my life; just extremely happy), due to the great products I sold.