In last month’s ActivEngage blog post on Quick Social Media Tips for Dealerships, I outlined several Social Media best practices that can be implemented to engage your audience. In this post, I will shed light on easy-to-implement video-marketing strategies to ignite your dedicated YouTube account.
Video-blogging is one of the most powerful techniques available to managers of a Dealership’s Social Media presence. According to the Social Media Examiner, “In the age where online reality is replacing actual reality in every facet of our lives, having YOUR face behind YOUR virtual real estate is paramount for people to feel close(er) to you.” Video-blogging will add humanity to your dealership and creates an atmosphere in which your customers can relate to and learn from you.
Todd Smith, CEO and Co-Founder of ActivEngage, observes that successful dealerships are using video to build value and connect with the shopper by creating a personalized experience. Smith’s philosophy is that, “Dealerships using video to replace a standard email response to a shopper are much more likely to cut through all the clutter that is filling their inbox.”
The power and value of creating video content for your Social Media presence is significant yet consistently creating original content may prove exceedingly difficult. However, the juice is worth the squeeze.
The Social Media Examiner outlines relatively easy to create content that will attract people to your business on a regular basis. Such content includes:Personalized invitations to events and promotions
In a comment on the previous Social Media Tips post, Steve Bayley of Sentry West Mazda Lincoln Mercury (@TheLincolnKing) stated that “The opportunities for creativity and exceptional-ism are limited only by the broadness of your management’s thinking.”
Elaborating on content creation for Dealerships, Bayley said, “having locally produced how-to videos with Sales Consultants demo-ing new automotive technology or doing something exceptional in the area of customer service in an engaging and personal manner… can quickly separate yourself [dealership] from the pack.”
Once you start creating video content, it’s a good idea to engage your audience. Video marketing/blogging works best when your fans, customers and colleagues get involved. So, ask your audience what they would like to see and give the people what they want.
Now that you have some good content ideas in mind, you’re probably wondering what you’ll need to put your plan into action. Well, the list is short and simple. Essentially, all you will need is a device that can capture video with audio. This can be a laptop with a web-cam, a mobile device or a simple digital camera. As long as you have one of those, you’re set.
If you’re looking to invest in an inexpensive video camera, I recommend the Flip which comes with its own video editing software.
So, what’s your video-blogging/marketing strategy? I challenge you readers out there to make a video response to this blog! Send me (jbraun@activengage.com) a link to your YouTube Channel and I will post a follow-up blog with all your responses.
Technorati Tags: active engage, activengage, Automotive Internet Marketing, automotive social media, automotive website, dealer social media, dealership internet marketing, dealership marketing, internet marketing, todd smith
Awesome – great tips!