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Where's your money going?

Could it be time to switch more budget away from paid search on Google to social media? You asked - I listened!

Switching to using only social media platforms for promotions could hurt you in the long run, seeing as Google is a "destination place" for many users. Increase your brand awareness by using both in your marketing campaign!

In this week's Think Tank Tuesday, Paul will answer this question and explain how you can use both Google's paid search feature, multiple social media platforms, and dynamic retargeting to increase brand awareness for your business.

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

Snapchat: PotratzAgency

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Developing Your Brand

I'm re-launching my Think Tank Tuesday series next week.  Until then, I've been encouraging business owners, entrepreneurs, and dealerships to watch the last 4 episodes on branding.

How important is a brand? Critical.  Without a brand, your business will lack trust in its followers and won't gain loyal customers or increased sales.

Watch these episodes to help develop your brand and become a successful business!

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

Snapchat: PotratzAgency

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Setting up Google User Explorer

Google's User Explorer lets us identify individual users by client ID and isolate data.  That way, we can evaluate the user and identify the path that they're taking so we can better personalize the experience for them.

You can also create segments to narrow down users who performed a certain action or engaged with specific content.  From these discoveries, you can personalize your website based on relevance.

User Explorer allows you to get a 360 view of your current and perspective clients.

If you're an entrepreneur or business owner, subscribe for our channel for free marketing tips every week! 

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

Snapchat: PotratzAgency

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How to Tell Your Brand Story

For this week's Think Tank Tuesday, I interviewed Ray Bleser: owner of Northeastern Fine Jewelry.

Ray introduces a different way that he portrays his brand to instill trust in his customers. Many business owners still use price to advertise their brand; storytelling is a unique method that Ray uses to make sure that he is giving his customers the best service that they've had.

If you're a small business or an entrepreneur, this is the episode you want to watch in order to grow your brand and make sure your business is successful.

I want to hear your thoughts! Comment below:

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

Snapchat: PotratzAgency

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Using Twitter to Grow Your Brand

Use Twitter to its fullest potential! In this week’s Hard Facts, Samantha talks about how you can use Twitter to search for potential customers and engage with clients. Using this resource will ensure that you’re expanding your brand and business.

If you're an advertising or marketing agency, this is definitely a Hard Facts episode that you should be watching. Let us know what you think! Comment below:

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

Snapchat: PotratzAgency

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Can you create a timeless brand?

What are you doing to make sure your business stands out? On this week’s Think Tank Tuesday, I spoke with Andy Heck about what makes Alpin Haus such a distinct brand.  It’s more than a slogan or the logo that comes with any business. Watch now to see what Andy had to say about branding: 

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

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How do you define your brand?

On this week’s Think Tank Tuesday, my team and I visited Ryan Norris on a production trip to Toyota of Easley.  In that experience, I got Ryan’s interpretation on what makes a brand…and it’s more than just a logo or a jingle. 

I want to hear your ideas! Leave a comment here or connect with me on Facebook and share your thoughts.  You may get a free POTRATZ Coffee Mug Strategy!

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvert...

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

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How to be... Everywhere!

You have to be everywhere, but how do you maintain everything? Making sure your Yelp, Yellowpages, Facebook, Twitter, Super Pages, and YouTube are all up to date with your correct phone number, address, dealership name, and other important details can become an overwhelming task. Samantha will cover some tips to be everywhere.

If you want a copy of the Quick Tips Sheet, then email HardFacts@ppadv.com

I want to hear your ideas! Leave a comment here or connect with me on Facebook and share your thoughts.  You may get a free POTRATZ Coffee Mug Strategy!

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvert...

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

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Great Leaders Must Let Go...Sometimes

The people who work at Potratz have shaped us into the brand awareness and engagement agency that we are today.

Potratz is comprised of multiple companies that all work together to form one brand. In this week’s Think Tank Tuesday, I introduce you to the people that Potratz is comprised of and give you one important tip that you should be using for your team and business.

I want to hear your ideas! Leave a comment here or connect with me on Facebook and share your thoughts.  You may get a free POTRATZ Coffee Mug Strategy!

Website: http://www.ppadv.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvert...

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz

Instagram: @Potratz

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Why are Instant Articles beneficial? Facebook provides a guide to Instant Article configuration so that you can use their content management system.

• Instant Articles are 10x faster than traditional mobile web articles
• They’re read 20% more often 
• Clients are 70% less likely to leave the article once they’re there.

Watch this week's Hard Facts now for more info!



Website: http://www.ppadv.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvert...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz
Instagram: @Potratz

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Are you capitalizing on your blog?

Make sure your utilizing your blog to the fullest extent! On this week’s Hard FactsSamantha explains how your blog can not only boost traffic to your website, but also creates demand for your products and services! Watch this week’s Hard Facts to learn about some things you should know before hitting the publish button on your blog that will drastically effect its reach and performance.

Website: http://www.ppadv.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz
Instagram: @Potratz
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Are New Opportunities a Distraction?

Will new opportunities set you apart from the competition or will they be a distraction? In order for you to stay relevant and grow in your industry, you can't remain stagnant.

In this week’s Think Tank Tuesday, I tell a personal story about a serial entrepreneur that you might want to hear. Watch now for more info.

Comment below for future Think Tank Tuesday ideas!

Website: http://www.ppadv.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PotratzAdvertising
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Potratz
Instagram: @PotratzAdv
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Why aren't dealers seeing enough ROI in Social Media

4 Tips for Bridging the Gap with Dealers and Social Media

The gist of the article was that dealers don’t see enough return on their investment in social media.

Why do you think this is?

Is this because people aren’t interested in their local dealers on social media, or is it because campaign effectiveness in social media lacks?

2014 survey of more than 10,000 active car buyers found that social media ranked far below dealer websites, web searching and the automotive news media as a source of information when they are shopping.

In the NY Times article, Hyundai of Huntsville General Manager Matt Howell is quoted as saying that personal relationships are more important than social media, and that he is yet to attribute any meaningful impact on his business to social media.

Could it be that this manager does not truly understand the role of social media, or is he simply taking the wrong approach?

In the aforementioned article, another dealer is quoted saying, “I don’t even bother wasting my people’s time posting all day.” By focusing on ads, including ones that target car buyers when they are near rival dealers, the dealer reported an increase in sales while cutting marketing expenses per car sold to $90 from $500.

Are Facebook Ads the answer to dealers’ woes with social media? What about producing quality content that engages people, like other brands do, which marketers continue to stress importance?

What is “quality” dealer content anyway?

Is it happy customer videos? Is it warm fuzzy photos and videos that make people feel good?

When I encounter dealers producing this type of content, engagement is low, e.g. single digits. This is no way to market your dealership. Do you see other local retailers do this?

No!

Which brings me to my point…

Dealers are local multi-million dollar operations that are unique in the retail world. You can’t really equate franchise dealerships to any other entities in an apples-to-apples comparison. However, they are franchises, they are retailers, and they do thrive on repeat customer business much like other local franchises and retailers, so many of the same basic principles do apply:

  1. Always strive to provide an exceptional customer experience that people will talk about
  2. Provide useful informative information that your customers will appreciate
  3. Offer your customers meaningful incentives and promotions
  4. Make sure your dealership is easily accessible across multiple platforms, networks, and devices

While all four of these suggestions are equally important, each of them requires its own strategy to achieve.

1. Exceptional Customer Experience

The customer experience is a byproduct of the integrity of the dealership, which begins at the ownership level and works it way through the fabric of the organization. Most dealerships in my experience do provide a good customer experience, but no organization is perfect. There is always room for improvement. Without this, everything else is in vein. If your dealership isn’t reaching or exceeding your standard on customer experience then you need to strive to be a change agent there or else move on.

2. Quality Relevant Content

This is a challenging objective, especially over time. My philosophy is that dealers need to lean on whatever resources they can to consistently provide quality relevant content. By “quality and relevant” I mean information that is published by the dealership on dealership resources, e.g. the dealership blog and social media profiles.

The information does not always have to be produced by the dealership, but the more that can be, the better.

Here’s a resource; check out Jason Stum’s Ultimate Blogger Resource Pack on his siteMarketPunch. Here you will find multiple resources that Jason has produced to give dealers powerful useful resources for producing blog content which of course can then be used in social media. This could be a terrific starting point for you.

3. Meaningful Incentives and Promotions

Take my word for it, people aren’t interested in videos of your happy customers and they aren’t interested in gimmicky information such as cute pet videos. People want to know what’s in it for them and when you can save them time and money and give them a great value then you don’t want to be shy about letting them know that.

Put together exceptional offers, make them look and sound fantastic, and then let as many people know about them as possible. The great thing about digital media today is that it gives us insights as to who might want to know about what, and when, and how. Leverage today’s advanced tools and data and partners to execute smart and effective marketing and advertising campaigns.

4. Multi-Channel, Cross-Platform

As I just mentioned, leverage today’s advanced tools and data and technology. Dealers today have access to incredible resources, giving you the ability to reach people across multiple channels and different platforms and devices. But you need to harness these resources through key vendor relationships.

If you are tuning out vendors because you don’t want to be bothered by the noise then you are doing you and your dealership a disservice. If that’s the case then you might want to consider avendor visit protocol.  You are not a data or computer technology company, you are a car dealership; you sell and service vehicles.

Questions:

  1. Is your dealership incorporating Social Media in its marketing strategy and if so then how effectively?
  2. If so, are you able to measure and/or justify the ROI accurately?
  3. Is your Social Media strategy focused on sales, service, or both?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ryan Gerardi

SOURCE - http://www.dealerrefresh.com/4-tips-for-bridging-the-gap-with-dealers-and-social-media/#more-20380 

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http://dealersynergy.com/Dealer-Video-Production 856-546-2440 

Here is another example of a "Value Package Proposition"  or "Why Buy From Us" video that the Dealer Synergy Video Production Team created for #AtlanticHonda part of the Atlantic Auto Group in #NewYork. Let me know what you think. If you have any question about a "Why Buy From Us" message or video, please ask away! 

Toni Anne is the eCommerce Director of the Atlantic Auto Group, a 1.1 Billion Dollar Dealer Group based in Long Island New York. She was recently the COVER Story for Auto Dealer Daily (Monthly) Magazine for December 2015.

Check out that Cover Story - http://www.autodealermonthly.com/article/story/2015/12/building-an-online-empire.aspx 

And please click this Video Review she did for Dealer Synergy - 

For information on Video Production or Consulting, please call or text 267-319-6776 

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Building Your Personal Brand

Personal branding is no longer exclusively for high-level executives within a corporation. The tactic is gaining popularity among professionals across all industries, even making its way into the automotive sales industry. As an automotive sales professional, you may question why you need to establish a personal brand when you are part of a dealership. The answer is simple. When buying a car, people buy from people! The more comfortable you make a potential customer, the more they are able to relate to you on a personal level, the more likely they are to purchase a car.

A successful brand is about more than a logo. A brand is what people think and feel when they encounter you. Your personal brand should be an accurate reflection of you. It should be an indication of your performance, what you have to offer, and your overall value. Building your personal brand, and ultimately positioning yourself as an expert in the automotive industry, can mean success for you as a sales professional and your dealership as a whole. 

Not sure how to develop your personal brand? Here are a few simple tips to get you on your way. 

Create a video channel - YouTube is the second most used search engine. Starting a YouTube channel, and posting educational videos, is a great way to get your face out there, get noticed, and gain validity in the industry. Posting videos about your sales process will mark you as an authority, have your peers wanting to learn from you, and potential customers wanting to buy from you. 

Get published - Write a book, submit an article to an automotive trade magazine, or even start a blog! Sharing your information and gaining a strong network is great for building a personal brand. 

Speak at conferences - whether big or small having the opportunity to present to a group of your peers is something you cannot afford to miss. 

Personal branding is no longer just for CEOs. It is very important for automotive sales professionals to build themselves as a brand. The more personable you can appear, the more comfortable customers will be purchasing from you. 

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Why Marketing to Millennials is Important


Millennials have a bad rep in today's society. They are stereotyped as narcissistic, lazy, and entitled. Although they are often misunderstood and underestimated, millennials are very important to the automotive industry. Millennials are the people buying and they have the money to spend. One in 10 millennials earn six-figures or more. The group, which ranges in age from 18 to 30, also has the most education. Therefore, they like to do their research. When marketing to this unique bunch, there are a couple things to keep in mind. 

Learn What Motivates Them - This group is extremely results -driven. So having your statistics on hand is very beneficial. They like to know the purchases they make are worth their hard earned money and the time they spent researching the buy. Also, millennials love to laugh. Tune in to what makes them tick and they will be more likely to make a purchase. 

Keep It Short - Don't beat around the bush with millennials. The more transparent you are, they more a millennial will be willing to buy from you. Millennials are known to multi-task and have a million things going on at once. The easier the buying process the better. 

Although millennials are often disregarded, they have a lot of buying power. The challenge is knowing how to market to this research and technology centric group. 

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How to Increase Customer Engagement


So you have successfully launched your dealership's website, updated your blog with fresh content, and started all of the necessary social media sites in an effort to expand your customer base. While your online community continues to grow, you may notice a lack of customer engagement. No matter how large your online community may be, your dealership's digital marketing efforts will not reach their full potential if without quality customer engagement. When customers interact with your business online, your brand gains a positive reputation, as well as validity within the industry. Quality customer engagement produces leads which ultimately means a boost in revenue for your dealership. For those who are new to digital marketing, there are several ways to increase your brand's customer engagement. 

Be More Personable - Make social media posts that will appeal to your target audience. Learn what they care about and what motivates them, and then post content that is relevant to those things. By reaching your audience on a more personal level, they will be willing and more likely to engage with you. When interacting with your online community, be sure to have QUALITY conversations. It is easy to get caught up in the moment and lose focus, but the more quality conversations you have the better they are for your business. 

In -Person Networking - Get out in your local community. The more present you are, the more people you will meet. Once customers see that you are invested in the community you serve, they will communicate with you more regularly. Additionally, they more people learn about you, the more information they have to pass on to their friends. Remember, no matter how much technology advances, word of mouth is still one of the best forms of marketing. 

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