Social Media 101 for Car Dealers

Social Media must be a top priority for car dealers. More searches for vehicles begin online; a great social presence makes a huge difference.

With this information, you can’t afford to be one of the car dealers that doesn’t place a priority on the social media presence you offer to the world. Use these tips to offer a greater presence across platforms for customers to engage with your dealership.

Target Customers on Facebook

Facebook is still the king of social media because of its dynamic and widespread platform. More than 84 percent of your customers are on Facebook. This is where you need to place ads that will reach people who have indicated they are looking for a new car to drive. Research shows that auto ads have double the click-through rate as other Facebook ads, which means it’s one of the most important places for car dealers to advertise.

Drive Sales Using Twitter

More than have a million auto-related tweets are being sent out daily, most of these are directly related to owning or shopping for a vehicle. Using keyword targeting, these signals can be picked up and turned into direct messages and advertising for car dealers. Get connected with your customers on Twitter and watch how quickly leads turn into sales.

Reach Millennials Through Social Media Via Instagram

Younger adults are leaving Facebook in favor of Instagram. This might be part of why Facebook purchased this platform, but it tells you where your Millennial audience happens to be. Get connected to your younger audience and let them follow and connect to your car dealership through this platform. Upload pictures, videos, stories, and information regarding the cars that you have for sale. You’ll be pleased to connect using Instagram.

YouTube is The Place for Your Videos

Take advantage of the dynamics of video marketing on YouTube and you’ll reach a broader audience. Up to 84 percent of car shoppers watch auto videos regarding the vehicle they are considering as the purchase they want to make. You should have videos embedded in your website, but they also should be hosted on a YouTube channel. This is one of the most important tools for car dealers.

Does Your Social Medial Include Pinterest?

Many car dealers make the mistake of leaving Pinterest out of the mix, but you need to make sure it’s part of your marketing. This social site is known for having a larger female base which is a large portion of the audience you’re trying to reach. Engage with your potential customers on Pinterest and see how easy it is to connect and bring them to your dealership.

Tell a Story on Social Media

What is the story of your car dealership? Do you have special events, specific deals, or things that set you apart from the rest? Show how special your people are, offer the vehicles you sell and tell your followers about the special events you host at your dealer location. Using social media for storytelling can make you stand out among the many other dealers who only show their cars and tell customers to come in and see the deals.

Engage Your Audience

Having a social media presence means you’re open to two-way conversations with other people. Your followers could respond to some of the posts you make, to your story, or they could ask you questions. Make sure you are prepared for this. Too many car dealers treat online platforms as a one-way road, but if you respond and engage, you’re going to win over your audience.

Off Special Contests and Promotions Through Social Media

One way to gain a larger audience on social platforms is to offer special promotions and contests to your social followers. Everyone loves a deal and will likely stay engaged with your dealership if you offer these specials regularly. Get creative and reward contest participants with items that are only available on specific platforms when they engage with you online.

Pay Attention to Social Reviews

Encourage your customers to share reviews of your car dealership on social media. This will help get the word out that you offer what many people will want to take advantage of. Today, social sharing is more effective than word-of-mouth and has replaced it. Ensure you’re monitoring review sites regularly to respond to both positive and negative reviews. It’s important to address both types of reviews and show your audience that you are one of the car dealers that’s engaged and ready to connect.