Social Networks…..
…..are nowadays far more than just Facebook Twitter & LinkedIn – these can be the foundations, but where do your customers, existing AND future, actually hangout? Google+, Pinterest, Foursquare? That very much depends on the audience & what they “Like”.
Wherever they are, you need to be there, engaging in conversations, NOT selling, and NOT using the marketing tactics of the past.
Most important of all, these conversations are global – don’t be scared by that, seize it as an opportunity to learn, and find information that you can develop & make your own.
Hashtags
Denote communities, or common interests, at least some of which you need to be involved in. Just search on Twitter for your location, town or city with a hashtag in front of it to see what comes up – not all of these posts are going to be relevant to you, but you may find some conversations going on that you could get involved with. #London. Now try the same with your franchise name. #Bentley.
#GetSocial
No excuses. You know you have to be involved in social media for your business – the do or die scenario has arrived. HOW you do it, is what will distinguish YOU from the dealer down the street.
#MotorSocial
Be passionate about your marque, or your business, or your stock – you will find others who want to talk about it too. But please recognise “the 80/20 rule” – 80% of what you talk about on social media should NOT be about YOU!
#SoLoMo
This means Social, Local, and Mobile – the three key factors involved in any attempt at marketing to today’s connected customers. Over 90% of today’s smartphone owners are NEVER more than 3 feet away from their phones. They use them increasingly on social networks, AND to research on goods & services they are looking to buy – shouldn’t you be part of that?
Over 50% of internet searches are now initiated from a mobile device, and if someone is using a mobile they are most likely to make a purchase, or a purchase decision, within the next 60 minutes.
QR, or Quick Response, code
A form of small, square, two-dimensional barcode which can be read by a selection of smartphone applications, normally leading back to a URL on a website to provide more information about the item to which the code is attached.
What is a #ConnectedCar?
A connected car is a car that is equipped with internet access, and usually also with a wireless local area network. This allows the car to share internet access to other devices both inside as outside the vehicle.
Often, the car is also outfitted with special technologies that tap into the internet access or wireless LAN and provide additional benefits to the driver. Examples include: automatic notification of crashes, notification of speeding, …
Increasingly, Connected Cars (and especially electric cars) are taking advantage of the rise of Smartphones, and apps are available to interact with the car from any distance. Users can unlock their cars, check the status of batteries on electric cars, find the location of the car, or remotely activate the climate control system.
What is a #ConnectedTruck?
One which is continuously communicating with one or more central hubs – the most common application is in fleet management solutions, where real-time connectivity is an absolute must – no matter where the truck is being located.
Scania, Daimler and Volvo are all using this technology on an international level.
What is a #ConnectedDealer?
A Connected Dealer is one who recognises the necessity of being able to maximise their exposure to the opportunities that ConnectedCars, ConnectedTrucks, and ConnectedCustomers represent.
You can have the power in your hands that comes from knowing more about your market, your competitors, your models, and your customers, than ever before.
Social Customer Relationship Management blends what you already have on file about your customers, with what they are saying about you, or their next purchase, on social networks. It enables you to stay front-of-mind when they next come to making a decision about what they want to be driving. You will need to learn to talk about what THEY want to talk about NOT what YOU want to talk about.
RESOURCES
Wikipedia
telenorconnexion.com
fleetowner.com
dealersmartconsulting.com
HOJOMO #NEWSRUSH
News bites for snacking on in the rush hours, when you’re queuing in traffic, or riding on the train – my selection of tweets to get you through.