“Social media” is just a term used for sites like Auttr, Facebook, or Twitter that operate by having users sign up, create profiles, and update information with friends, colleagues, and customers. How much you participate is entirely up to you, but what makes sites like Auttr special is that they are built through continuous interaction.

For example, you may choose to create a profile for yourself, or your dealership, which grows as you link with other dealers and auto industry experts over time. Or, you could be a car buyer who is interested in finding out more about different autos and financing options; in that case, Auttr can work with your shopping assistant, guiding you towards the decision that’s right for you in a way that online shopping sites can’t match.

What this really means is that Auttr, like other social media websites, can be a lot of different things to different people. It’s up to you to decide which features and areas can help you right now, and which ones you might want to come back to later.

At Marcy Design are occasionally asked whether we think there are any “rules” to the relatively new game of social media marketing and website design. While it’s just coming into vogue, and constantly changing and evolving, there are two that always come to mind. The first is that every company and marketer needs to give social media a try. You can’t win, as they say, if you don’t play, and that’s definitely true on Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites. And Auttr is fast becoming the social network of choice for auto dealers.

The second rule? Share early and often.

By sharing, we mean that you need to be a constant source of content. Whether it’s news, press releases, or especially blog posts and articles, it’s important that you don’t keep your ideas to yourself. Writing, video, and audio clips all help you build a strong and healthy social media profile – not to mention a steady list of clients, friends, and interested prospective customers.

Why is your content so important? For one thing, it makes it easier for people to find you. So long as you’re keeping your posts, updates, and articles focused on different aspects of your industry, or topics that matter to your customers, they are going to feature a lot of the keywords and key phrases that you are likely to be concentrating on for your search engine optimization campaign. That’s important, because Google, Yahoo, and Bing are all beginning to emphasize social media content more heavily, so a steady stream of updates could help you climb to the top of the search engine listings.

The more immediate, and important, reason is that the more content you add, the more there is for your colleagues and clients to look at, or even pass along. An interesting piece of industry news, advance notice of a new product with special pricing, or some exclusive advice from a professional is almost always bound to catch someone’s eye. If that person happens to be someone who already buys from you, then they will be more likely to keep doing so in the future; if they’re currently working with someone else, you might make them wonder if it’s time to look at making a change.

Of course, for any of this to work, you don’t just need content… you need quality content. The old tactic of “article marketing” with chunks of copy that read like infomercial scripts no longer carries much weight. Online readers and customers are far more savvy – and a lot less patient – than they have ever been before. To catch and hold their attention, you need to come up with ideas that are different, interesting, and that matter to them.

Remember that as you craft material to add to your social media accounts and profiles; a video or piece of writing is only interesting in a way that matters if it answers some question your customers have.

Wish you had some professional-grade help putting together your content, updating your social media profiles, or turning your online marketing efforts into more bottom line results? At Marcy Design, we’ve helped dozens of businesses just like yours, so contact us today to see what we can do for you.

Pronounced “Otter,” Auttr is the first and only social media site devoted exclusively to the auto industry. Like Facebook or Twitter, you can find friends and colleagues, and create a profile. But unlike these other sites, Auttr gives you access to tools and contacts that can help you with your business, career, or car search.

Here are just a few of the things you can do on Auttr:
• Search hundreds of thousands of cars in dealer inventories
• Become a smarter car buyer with educational articles and tips
• Find best practices and regulatory information for dealerships
• Read posts and check out videos from auto industry experts
• Create and share professional profiles
• Catch up on national and international auto news

In other words, Auttr is a place for car buyers, dealers, and industry experts to come together. Whether you are looking to buy a car or sell one, get the best deal for your money, or learn to operate your dealership more efficiently, you are sure to find just what you’re looking for on Auttr. And Auttr has a new website design to make navigation easier.

As hot topics go, it’s hard to beat social media, website design and networking. Just as search engines hit a “critical mass” several years ago when they became the stepping stones to the rest of the web, sites like Facebook, LinkedIn and Auttr are now many people’s first and most frequent stops when they go online.

That’s a tidal wave that’s hundreds of millions of users strong. Given that nearly everyone you know, from your family members to your best clients, is using social media, it’s offering businesses and professionals an unprecedented opportunity to make important connections.

Unfortunately, many companies are missing out.

That’s because, even though they see the value in using social network marketing, they aren’t using these sites like marketers. In other words, they’re approaching their relationships and communications with customers and potential customers they same way they do the people they know in their personal lives. Or, worse yet, they’re not employing any strategy at all.

Here are five tips for using social media to find new business:

Follow your business plan. Whatever your normal, everyday strategy for gaining buyers is, make sure your social media efforts mirror that. If you need to drive customers to a retail store, use posts and updates to invite people in; if you compete by offering better service than your competitors, be sure to highlight that service in your profile. The point is to use social media to highlight your competitive strengths, just as you would in any other marketing environment.

Be in business. As we mentioned, it’s easy for business owners and professionals to fall into the trap of being overly “social.” There’s nothing wrong with showing off your personality or sense of humor, but try to let your customers, and potential customers, see you as a vendor, not someone who is overly goofy.

Treat social media like an online networking event. Just as in the offline world, the key to making the right connections is in showing up ready to meet people, being interested in others, and being polite. Introduce yourself to as many people as possible, and pay attention to those who want to meet you – you never know how close you might be to a big account.

Post and update frequently. It’s pretty easy to tell the people who are really interested in social media, and the ones who want to do the bare minimum to show they’re in business. Stay involved with your social media profiles, updates and messages. Have a little bit of fun with them. The more frequently you stay go online and stay involved, the easier it’s going to be for colleagues and potential clients to find you.

Link back to your site and dealership. Remember, your social media profiles don’t have to exist, and work, all on their own. Make it easier for people to click through to your website, or even visit your retail store – you’ll have an easier time forging a business relationship once your contacts have had a chance to see you the way your current customers do.

Need help advancing – or creating – your social media marketing plan? Find out how Auttr.com can help.

Hey everyone! Auttr.com has a new look and I like it! Check it out at www.auttr.com. What do you think?

Congratulations Greg Krivicich and Keith Whann for bringing Auttr to a reality. 1000 members validates the concept that our industry will embrace new technology, ideas, and platforms.

Auttr.com, the social network for the auto industry, hit another milestone today by signing up its 1,000th member. Auttr.com is the place to go for the latest online resources. Auttr members can network with other members, form groups, review industry news and find valuable answers from Keith Whann, the Car Counsleor, on Auttr TV. Stay tuned for exciting new ideas!

OIADA IS GIVING AWAY $1,000.00

At our recent Board Meeting which was held on July 7th we announced the addition of a new contest being added to the upcoming OIADA Golf Tournament. The new event is the “Golf Ball Drop”. This contest is open to everyone and you don’t have to be present to win. This is how it works:

The tickets are $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00. For every ticket purchased we will assign a numbered golf ball and after the golf portion of the event has concluded we will load all of the numbered golf balls onto a helicopter that will take off from the driving range and after a few passes, the pilot will hover above a designated green on the driving range and drop all of the balls onto the green. The owner of the numbered ball that comes to rest closest to the pin will win $1,000.00. If two or more balls are tied or come to rest in the cup, the prize money will be spilt among the winners. Read the rest of this entry →

Information just released lits the safest cars on the road by size and model.

Top Safety Picks 2010 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

LARGE CARS

Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Hyundai Genesis (built after 1/2010)
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes E class (built after 1/2010)
Volvo S80 Read the rest of this entry →

I HAVE BEEN BROUGHT TO MY KNEES MANY TIMES,
BECAUSE I HAD NOWHERE ELSE TO GO

(Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States)