Weeks leading up to today's announcement of The new iPad, there were several different rumors swirling around the tech community trying to guess what it would be called, what new features it would have, and so forth. Well, no more guesses. It's not called the iPad 3. Not the iPad HD. It's simply...the new iPad.

The new iPad, which will be released on March 16th, will be priced at $499. (iPad2 will now be $399) Here's everything you need to know about it:

• retina display
• 5-megapixel camera (w/ same optics sensor from iPhone 4S)
• 1080p video recording

So, what's so special about "The new iPad?" It will feature an amazing retina display w/ 2048 x 1536 pixels and 264 pixels in each inch (Source: Mashable) In more simpler terms, the new iPad will have 1 million more pixels than an HDTV. Now, that's awesome.

The camera is also updated as it will record videos in 1080p, whereas the iPad2 was in 720p.

Here's what Phil Schiller, Apple's SVP of worldwide marketing had to say: "It has the best mobile display that has ever shipped."

So, if you were looking for the most high def, clear tablet in the world, here it is. Although Amazon and others have tried, nobody has been able to compete with the iPad (1 and 2). Now, it looks like Apple has EVEN outdone themselves. I can't imagine what the next iPad is going to look like.

What do you guys think? Will you be camping out for this one or are you content with your iPad 2?

Usually when I construct posts here on AIS, I usually like to include several statistics regarding the topic. Not this time. While there are several studies (I'm sure) on the subject of reputation management and responding to criticism on social media, I would rather this be more of a logical post. Once more, I'd also like everyone's feedback as well. So, here goes....

In 2012, when a customer's displeased with your dealership, chances are he/she will head straight to the social media-sphere. They want to share their anger with others. We've all seen it before. They'll not only post it on your dealership's Google Place page, but they'll also wander over to your Facebook and Twitter pages to voice their opinion. How exactly do you respond to their criticism? 

Some like to respond by, essentially, not responding. They like to bury the customer's post. This simply means instead of addressing the concern, the dealership posts content on top of the complaint. Some may even go so far as to delete it the complaint, altogether. The customer catches on and then, you have to block the customer.

I believe if the customer is sharing a logical complaint: "Manager rubbed me wrong way" or "Service dept didn't address my concerns." Then, you should definitely engage. There's no use ignoring a situation that can be resolved with just a few sentences. "I'd love to take care of this for you. Would mind if we called you?" Chances are that the customer won't forget you and your dealership if you just hear them out and try to address their concerns.

I'm not naive, however. I realize some customers aren't so civil. Some turn out to be social media abusers. They'll go on your dealership's page and post profane comments over and over. Some (I know firsthand) create fake accounts just to post more profanity. I believe this is the only time it's acceptable to hit that block button. That person is only there to complain. They're not posting for help. They're posting to drag your name out in the mud. Block and move on. 

*After perusing this post, I'd recommend checking out Seth Godin's Blog Post on this matter: Engaging with Criticism

So, what do you think? Immediately delete the complaint or engage and learn?

4 Ways to Increase Your Dealerships Online Accessibility

The internet has changed the business of car buying so much. Consumers rely heavily on the information and tools found online to assist them in the buying process. A customer could compare pricing, look up features, trade in an old car and purchase a new one without leaving their home until it’s time to pick up their purchase. Because of this you want to make sure potential buyers can access your site easily anywhere and anytime. Here are four tips to make your dealership site more accessible.

1.    Mobilize your website:
According to gomonews.com, car buyers are shopping mobile. 25% of iPhone and Android users plan to buy a car within the next 12 months. 78% of those people say they will use their mobile device to shop for their new car. Catering to smart phone users can help you capture these car buyers online. There are tons of tools out there to help you create a mobile version of your site. Some are free. Creating a mobile version of your site allows prospects to easily access it on their smartphone or PDA.

2.    Link to your OEM:
A study done by NADA University revealed that in the month before a vehicle purchase, OEM website visits double to 52%. Most major car brand websites are mobilized. Prospects like to use these sites to check out accessories and options available for their potential purchase. Of those surveyed data shows that the “build your own” vehicle tool is the most used among OEM visitors at 43% and “offers” were the second highest at 39%. Your dealership could easily capture those leads if you are linked to the OEM site. When potential buyers click on the “offers” section it brings up dealerships in their area that have special offers. To increase your appeal to buyers, advertise offers that promote accessories and vehicle customization.

3.    Dealership Mobile Apps:
There is indeed an App for everything. And, there is good reason. Apps are the ultimate mobile friendly setup for your loyal returning customers or potential repeat customer. An App for your dealership is a constant direct line of communication to your most loyal customers. Customerdealershipapps.com offers allows you to “put your dealership in your customers pockets”. They do this by offering a web application that your customers can download on their smart phone. The app gives them access to your inventory, parts, services and accessories departments.  This easy accessibility will encourage them to use your fixed operations as well as shop your inventory.

4.    QR Codes:
When these little black and white boxes started popping up on mail, flyers, and billboards everywhere, we thought printers worldwide had gone mad. But what happened was marketers and advertisers got smart. According to a study conducted by Google, 95% of smartphone users use their phones to look up local information. Of those, 61% placed a call, 59% visited in-person, and 44% made a purchase.  Make sure you place QR codes on your marketing materials so that prospects can quickly access your site.

BY Andy Nicolaides on Fri March 02nd, 2012 iCar

(This is JUST FOR FUN :)

For a company with Apple’s huge wealth their product range is, when you look at it, relatively small. For Apple to continue its astronomical growth it is likely that they will have to expand their portfolio before too long.

Many believe that a move into the television market will be Apple’s next step, but what about beyond this? Will we see nothing but consumer electronics coming from “the worlds most admired company?”

Well according to iDownloadblog, Apple may well be moving into the automotive sector. At least that is what could be inferred from a recent job listing.

Apple is, apparently, in the market for an automotive engineer for an undisclosed project.  The posting, filed two weeks ago under LinkedIn’s “Automotive” section is seeking a “new Product Integration supervisor” with knowledge of CNC machines and die casting.

A CNC machine is, according to Wikipedia, a computer numerical control device. This doesn’t help narrow down what is being worked on in the slightest, which is a bit of a shame!

A section of the job listing reads:

Apple (China) Looking for SQE/NPI with over 4 years Mechanical engineering background familiar with CNC/die casting/stamping/plastic injection, can use APQP/PPAP/SPC to control product quality.”

So what are the chances of us all driving around in an Apple iCar come 2015? Frankly, slim to none but its fun to dream isn’t it?

This ISN'T an Apple iCar ...

I would say the most likely result of this job listing, if it is genuine, will simply be iOS integration into future dashboard components or maybe Apple’s own GPS device. Either way I’m very interested to see where this will go.

WOW!

Kind of Sounds like this...

3 Tips for a successful aftermarket accessories program

The vast world of aftermarket can seem like an intimidating experiment for dealers. But, when you are establishing your accessories program that features aftermarket products you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Insignia Group and many of our dealers and partners have years of experience and advice that can get you started on the right path. Insignia Group’s guest blogger Ray McGowan shares a few tips on establishing a successful aftermarket accessories program.

Courtesy of Insignia’s Guest Blogger: Ray McGowan

Tip #1:  Have a vision and a plan:

Well then, how does a dealership complete this feat at the dealer level? Well, let us look at a successful operation where the implementation of such a department increased the PVR (per vehicle retail) approximately $1300 per vehicle delivered. When the Principal of a Toyota franchise made the decision to try out aftermarket accessories, he enlisted his management staff to analyze what was being sold for the entire New York Region in the Aftermarket sector. He knew that making a purchase of large quantities of accessories and parts might create a wide variety of obsolete inventory and create the “giveaway” or “concession” mentality of the entire sales department. In other words, he wanted his homework completed to ensure success. Any dealership making the commitment to sell aftermarket products, must weigh out all the options before proceeding further. It’s like anything else, fail to plan and plan to fail.

Tip #2: Take aftermarket to another level:

An example of a dealer taking aftermarket to another level is making available the retail space within the dealership to market the products properly. This provides the option for the consumer to acquire the products they would normally seek at a specialty store or outside vendor. If retail square footage is a factor due to space concerns for the products offered, monitors should be placed with repetitious slides showing the available accessories for the particular models the customers have purchased. It is a subliminal message to the customer that something might be missing they would like to own on their newly purchased vehicle. If set up properly these automobile “boutiques” can generate profits for the dealership and in some cases the products can be shipped by the vendor directly to the online customer.

Tip #3: Stay Committed:

Today, a well-planned aftermarket program can mean additional profits not only in the front end sales department, but also a huge influx of profitability to parts distribution and service revenue. It all begins with the process of the ownership or the management staff to “buy-in” to selling the aftermarket accessories. If the upper level management does not have a vested interest in making the program process work, it will more than likely fail. The program is only as good as the people who present it and believe in it. Anything short of full cooperation to make the aftermarket department successful will surely end in failure. Everyone must understand “why” the program is important and an incentive should be in place to make it successful.

 To learn more about RPM’s marketing offerings please visit rpmg.com

With the rollout of the Facebook timeline complete for personal profiles, Facebook has now, quite brilliantly, pivoted their attention onto brand pages, which is why when you logged in this morning, you saw the little notice at the top of your Fan Page saying:

"On March 30, 2012, all Facebook Pages will get a new design. Preview your page now to see what it looks like and try out the new features."

Effective next month, your dealership's fan page will have a fundamentally different look. You see those cool tabs underneath your dealership's profile picture ("Inventory", "Welcome", "Photos", etc)? Those tabs will no longer be there once you activate the Timeline look. Your entire page will be rearranged. While this does sound a bit scary, especially to those who have put ample time into designing interactive tabs for pages, there is a distinct advantage. Of course, I'm talking about the Cover Photo. 

The Cover Photo is the photo at the top of your current Personal Facebook page (assuming your page has the Timeline feature). Essentially, the cover photo is replacing your welcome tab. It will be the first thing everyone sees when they visit your page. You'll have your own virtual billboard. A billboard with no limits, except for size :) You can play around with the cover photo until it suits your dealership's needs. You can design one in which you're Thanking your customers, or one in which you featuring a quote from a satisfied customer, and or just a simple variation your current Profile picture. There's so much you can do with it to benefit your brand. 

The Facebook Timeline manager, Sam Lessin, had this to say regarding the new rapid change, "Organizations have identities too." And, he's completely right. Thanks to the implementation of the Timeline for Brand Pages, you'll be able to distinguish yourself from your competitors. With the cover photo (billboard!), you'll be able to brand your dealership in a much more effect way.

What do you think of the Timeline rollout for Brand Pages? Are you on board with it? Or, still partial to the traditional Fan Page?

Source: Facebook Timeline Brand Pages are Here [Mashable]

If you want to be a title of a book and not just a word in a sentence: Read On!! 

Having spoken to many small to medium size business owners in the past few weeks, everyone has had the say issue. Their return on investment for marketing, online reputation , social media, lead generation etc. The popular response has been "I have been doing it myself and its been ok or I have hired a company that has been doing a great job" When asked if they can see their daily traffic and unique visitors, they state they get monthly reports? How can you gauge your business and if your marketing dollars are working if you can't see your results daily!

Last I checked, business owners should be worried more so with staffing, training and running their business. NOT CREATING BUSINESS and spending countless hours optimizing what they think is working for them along with writing content etc. It has been a up hill battle trying to justify why they need to utiliaze TTwR and Discount Bomb. So many other companies in the automotive vertical  and small business vertical have been sold on a dream that created minimium ROI with HUGE upfront monies and lenthy contracts. How many of you have sold or represented a company that over promised and under deliver, therfor losing business day after day, and I am talking about the client. The company that sold the contract and archaic SEO/VSEO programs along with mediocure social media with no true online reputation defender made sure they had a legal binding contract!. The difference with TTwR and Discount Bomb is we arent resellers of others programs. We created, developed and perfected a program that works for any business that offers a service or product all with very small intial investments and NO Contracts. This isnt a pitch for my company or to trash others,

I wake up every morning with the same goal. How can I change someones life today?  What can I do to make my customers happy?  Did I do all I could do to make my client happy? Did I cut any corners to gurantee a certain time frame? When you make the most important decision in your life and hire  Targeted Traffic With Results and Discount Bomb we make sure there is never a question to why you went with the most state of the art Marketing program ever developed.

We are currently expanding TTwR and Discount Bomb throughout the U.S and Canada. If you are interested in not only bettering your life, offering a product that works and most importantly have the confidence in what your setting your client up with , aka no fear to make promises!   Our pay plan is also second to none as we own our technology and it isnt out sourced.

CONTACT:

Richard A. Browne

 TTwR Region President of Sales and Marketing

Discountbomb.com

Principle Owner

mercedesrich1@gmail.com

" We are only as great as the people that represent us"

The trend for the last 3 or 4 years has been for businesses to try to tap into social media as a broadcasting tool. It's not universal, but many (most) see social media as a place to post their messages to prospective clients in hopes of switching on the social media faucet that touches a billion people worldwide.

The promise of social media for businesses, particularly local ones, has only been seen by a small percentage. Most believe there's something there, but they aren't certain that their efforts are going anywhere. In many cases, they're not. It's not that social media is so challenging that only the select few can get in, nor is it that there's no value in it.

It's about intention. Those with the intention of sheer marketing with social media will likely be met with limited rewards. People don't go to Facebook or Twitter to see what they want to buy or which services to select. They go to engage, to have fun, and to experience the virtual filter on the real world that social media has to offer them.

In other words, they don't want to see marketing. If and when they're ready to interact with a business through social media, it's because they have questions or needs that can be fulfilled through easy-access communication. This is the part that most businesses are missing.

The real promise of social media is not just to business, but lies an the center between business and consumer. More internet time is spent on social media than any other category; in fact, it's equal to the next three on the list (games, email, and portals) combined.

Businesses want to take advantage of this fact and many are trying, but customer service management is still 3rd on the list of initiatives they perform on social media with brand reputation management and driving promotions above it. This is backwards. Most businesses can achieve their top two goals by focusing on the customers themselves.

It comes down to a lack of understanding. Those who are able to focus their attention on their customers through social media will gain a better reputation and find it easier to broadcast their promotions as a result. It's counter-intuitive to all other forms of interactions with customers, but it makes sense once one realizes the true capacity of the medium.

 (Click Link for InfoGraph) http://www.tkcarsites.com/support-gets-social-pid21494

1. Advertise Where Your Prospects are

This seems too obvious to mention; yet many businesses advertise where the ad reps tell them to, or where it’s easy to place an ad, or where they can get a lot of vanity exposure. Make sure you build your ad campaigns in response to prospect behavior, not media convenience.

In search marketing, this is pretty easy. Choose the right keywords and by definition you’ve found your prospects.

Many keywords that seem to represent buyers may not; think about the difference between informational and transactional keywords: “I’m looking for info so I can solve this myself” vs. “I’m looking for just enough info to buy wisely.” Select keywords to target your ideal customer, the one who already agrees with your main value proposition.

2. Advertise When Your Prospects are Receptive to Your Offer

Figure out when your prospects are hungriest, and catch them then.

This also may seem obvious, but do you still get coupons on the back of your grocery store receipt offering a different brand of the thing you just bought? Can’t think of worse timing to make an offer like that.

In search marketing, timing relates to prospect readiness. Pay attention to the “readiness continuum” that goes from “I just starting thinking about this” to “When can you deliver?” Ben Hunt, in his wonderful book "Convert!", shares his ladder of awareness, which I’m pretty sure he’d let me reproduce here:

Place each of your top keywords on a rung on the ladder of awareness. Then make sure that your ad and landing page matches that level.

If your prospect is only just aware of a problem (“migraine pain”), and not familiar with potential solutions, don’t go on about how your solution is superior to the rest. If they searched for your brand name, take them straight to a “buy now” page. And so on…

3. Match Your Offer to Your Prospect’s Immediate Desire

In the AdWords display network, prospects aren’t actively searching for what you’ve got. Your ad must connect your product or service with a latent need or desire and raise the priority of that need or desire to “I gotta do something about this right away.”

4. Focus on ROI, Not Cost

By choosing to stand out in a premium location, you can get the benefit of a much higher return on investment (ROI).

We see this with our PPC clients who pay a premium for the top-rank ad locations (the ones above the organic search results, as opposed to the right column on the search results page). The difference in response is often astounding.

Within the very same campaign, the ads that appeared in the premium real estate were eight and a half times more attractive than the very same ads on the right side (2.49 percent click through rate vs 0.29 percent). Yes, they cost more per click ($7.67 vs $5.69), but they generated 22 conversions, compared to none for the side column ads.

This doesn't mean you should always pay a premium for the most visible ad space; that’s your sales rep’s job. Rather, you should experiment. Make investments that your competition is unwilling to make, then measure the results.

One way to get a premium listing is to pay for it. You may be the only local sewing machine store in your town to advertise on the Super Bowl, but that may not be a good use of funds. You can rent the biggest billboard, buy air time on the most popular morning talk show, and sponsor the biggest booth at the trade show; but that doesn’t mean you’re going to stand out and get noticed.

Ask the question, “How can we do something nobody else is doing?” and hit upon a winning strategy.

As you plan your next PPC campaign, be willing to spend for results, but start by spending your creative energy first. How can you get the right message to the right people at the right time in a way that sets you apart from your competition?

A few weeks ago, I came across a study titled: "Social Media Data Stacks" sponsored by the folks over at Hubspot. Now, as a social media analyst, I thought it was worth taking a look at, since social media is always changing and evolving. Instead of boring you with each detail and statistic, I just want to touch on the few that caught my eye and how these stats can you help form and enhance your social media strategy. 

1) Females 18-34 are most active on social networking sites

This is marketing 101. You need to know your demographic. Who's navigating the social media universe? Well, according to this study, women are more active on Facebook, twitter. Not so much Google+, though. Regardless, if you've been posting content mostly directed towards men, then it's time to rethink your strategy. Now, this does not mean throw your entire strategy in the trash and start posting whatever appeals to women. Not exactly. It's a balance act. If you continue to ignore such a large demographic, chances are your social media efforts are going to fail. 

2) 29% of social media users seek purchase advice

This boils down to ZMOT. To the T. People have such an inventory of feedback and reviews today, it's almost comical. Before calling a dealership, people are GOING ONLINE to research a vehicle. This doesn't only include hitting up Google reviews or sites like Edmunds and MotorTrend. No, this entails logging into their social media sites (Facebook and Twitter) and asking their friends and followers for advice/help. 

"Hey guys, currently looking to replace my beat up car, can anybody recommend a fuel efficient sedan?"

Comments: "Can't go wrong with a Toyota Yaris" "Toyota? Buy American!" And, so forth. 

29%. You have to take into account this study was only for one month. People are going on social media and asking for purchase advice much, much more. So, this is where you come in. You need to be IN the conversation. You need to engage. Sounds simple enough, but the bottom line is: You need to be social. 

3) 50% Twitter users discuss TV Shows

This is where social plays a huge part as well. If you see a few tweets in your timeline discussing last night's episode of Glee or CSI, you're not going to tweet back "I missed it last night, but you know what you're missing? A brand new Ford Focus!!" No, that's just ridiculous. You join the conversation, you engage with them. They'll remember you trust me. 

Other Statistics that Interested Me:

-9 out of 10 parents seek friends, family

-7 out of 10 parents seek "LOLs"

-People are spending 53.5 billion minutes per month on Facebook

Overall, when it comes to developing and implementing a social media strategy, you must do the research. There's no getting around it. (Side note: I write fiction in my spare time. I'm not going to try to write about a secret spy without doing any research on espionage, now am I?) Anyway, once you know your demographic, you can start implementing your strategy and targeting your specific demographic. In the end, we must not forget to always keep one word in mind: SOCIAL! 

But, how can auto dealers be specific, personal and build trust in a timely manner?

Understandably, auto dealers hate to email out a price without first talking to someone. Dealers should simply focus on continuing to build the relationship with the prospective customer that was initiated by the live chat conversation while providing information that move the customer forward in the sales process.

In this blog, we analyze a real-life situation in which a dealer failed to follow-up appropriately with a chat lead. Then, we discuss appropriate and effective ways to follow-up with chat leads (and all Internet leads) so that they convert into sales and move forward in the sales process.

Below is an example of a failed follow-up process, straight from the chatter’s mouth…er, their fingers.

“Hello. Not too sure if you can answer my question. But how long does it usually take to get the bottom line price on a car? I originally inquired on 1.26.12 and then again yesterday. I have received the same auto reply/generic email thanking me for my interest.

Its okay. I just wanted to know if the manager would take the time to reply or if I should just forget about it and move on.”

Nothing is worse than spamming your leads with robotic, impersonal auto-replies. Something we stress to our auto dealer clients is to always be personal in your follow-up responses. As you can see from the last sentence of the chat, this ready-to-buy prospective customer has lost all trust is on the verge of giving up on the dealership.

So dealers, how would you salvage this situation and prevent it from happening in the future? Here are a few tips:

Send a personal email

A personal touch is all your prospects are looking for. It doesn’t have to be long – both you and the customer live busy lives – 3 to 5 sentences addressing the situation will salvage the sales process. Using the phrase, “My online sales assistant let me know you were interested in ______,” can be very effective. Fill in the blank and take it from there. Also, don’t forget to include a call to action. Never end an email with a statement! Conclude your email with a question to prompt a response.

Follow-up with relevant and specific information

Confirm special features/options on the vehicle ( something as simple as leather seats or advanced options like Bluetooth)
Confirm availability (and interior color and condition if it is pre/owned)
Send a pic of the actual vehicle and offer to send more
Give a bullet point of what the next steps are in the buying process
Explain advantage of buying from you
Remind the prospect of what is needed for the test drive( license, and whatever else they may want)
Provide info on what services or reconditioning on the pre-owned vehicle has been done

Read what is given to you

Read the chat transcript, form lead or any other consumer insights you have. Know what the customer wants and give it to them. It’s that easy! Remember that the chat conversation has already developed a relationship between your dealership and the prospective customer. An impersonal auto-response removes the customer entirely from the sales process and ruins your rapport.

By acting as an advocate in the follow-up process, auto dealers can provide consumers with information and then ask questions to assist them in moving forward through the sales process. Keep in mind that consumers don’t buy a car every day, week, month or year. Every “inside” tip you give prospects builds upon the trust already established by the live chat conversation.

Remember, the leads received through automotive live chat are a product of a two-way conversation. A template email saying thanks for your interest just stalls customers and erodes any trust built during a live chat conversation.

Remember, the leads received through automotive live chat are a product of a two-way conversation.

In addition to these tips, ActivEngage CEO Todd Smith offers additional advice that will not only help ensure auto dealers successfully transform chat conversations into leads, but will help them stand out in the marketplace during the critical follow-up process.

Afraid of Losing Your Phone? You May Have Nomophobia Like Half the Population (RePost From Mashable - Written By Samantha Murphy)

If you know the panicked and disconnected feeling of leaving your mobile phone at home, you might be one of the many suffering from nomophobia.

A recent survey by U.K.-based mobile security service provider SecurEnvoy conducted among 1,000 people found that two thirds (66%) of respondents fear losing or being without their mobile phone — a fear called nomophobia. The phobia also includes the anxiety someone feels when not in the range of a cell tower to receive optimal reception.

Not surprisingly, nomophonia is on the rise — up 13% from just four years ago — as more consumers become strapped to their smartphones.

However, women (70%) worry more about losing their phones than men (61%). According to Andy Kemshall, chief technology officer and co-founder of SecurEnvoy, men were more likely to have nomophobia in 2008 but feel less overwhelmed now. Why the change of heart? Men are 11% more likely than women to carry around two mobile devices.

Younger demographics are also more likely to be nomophobic, as 77% said they fear being without their phone. Meanwhile, those ages 25 to 34 are the second most nomophobic group, followed by mobile users over 55.

SecurEnvoy also cited a recent study published by the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology found that people check their phones about 34 times a day on average. If you do misplace your phone, it won’t take very long to realize it.

Do you have nomophobia? What tech item can’t you live without? Let us know in the comments.

Image courtesy of iStockphoto, mbbirdy

The Small Business Social Media Cheat Sheet

Nissan enthusiasts are invited to vote on modifications and follow the construction online through Facebook.com/nissanperformance. The finished vehicle will be revealed May 17 at the annual ZDayZ gathering in North Carolina.

“Think of Project 370Z as a factory project car built in a non-factory way,” explained Erich Marx, director, Social Media & Interactive Marketing, Nissan North America. “Nissan Z® owners are among the most active of all on social media. We can’t wait to see how the finished vehicle turns out.”

At the show’s social media day, in the second year it has been held, Nissan also hosted a Google+ Hangout, and made sure the bloggers were introduced to culinary delights provided by a Southern Mac & Cheese Nissan NV food truck. Guests were also treated to Nissan’s new “virtual new car experience” using Microsoft Kinect technology.