Timmy D. James's Posts - DealerELITE.net2024-03-28T22:10:09ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJameshttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3554587493?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://www.dealerelite.net/profiles/blog/feed?user=3nasum23dzaqo&xn_auth=noHow to Get More Leads with Videotag:www.dealerelite.net,2023-03-27:5283893:BlogPost:13721052023-03-27T09:00:00.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
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<p>One of the major reasons to implement a video marketing strategy is to make more sales. But to make more sales, you need more leads, right? Video is one of the most engaging and effective methods for generating more website traffic, leads, appointments, and sales. But you can’t just post a bunch of random videos and hope for the best. There has to…</p>
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<p>One of the major reasons to implement a video marketing strategy is to make more sales. But to make more sales, you need more leads, right? Video is one of the most engaging and effective methods for generating more website traffic, leads, appointments, and sales. But you can’t just post a bunch of random videos and hope for the best. There has to be strategy behind your efforts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Start with the end in mind. To ensure that you’re maximizing the lead potential for every video your dealership makes, follow these tips for creating a true video marketing strategy:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Include calls to action</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Inventory videos and interactive 360 spins are a great way to increase traffic and emotional attachment on your vehicle display pages (VDPs). But, one of the biggest mistakes I see with dealers who post these videos is that they don’t have a clear call to action.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What do you want a car shopper to do when they finish watching the video? Complete a lead form to get more information or schedule a test drive, call the dealership to make an appointment, or stop by the dealership to see the vehicle in person?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>All of these options are fine, but to make it happen you need to end every video with a request. To make it easy for shoppers to take action, include a link to a lead submission form, or make sure your dealership’s phone number and address is featured prominently in the video. You can even include a map at the end of the video to leave no doubt where you are located (car shoppers are traveling much further for test drives than they ever have before).</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Respond to every lead with video</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>How many times have your salespeople been ghosted by leads? Despite their best efforts to reach leads via phone, text, or email, it’s aggravating when car shoppers do not respond.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have you tried creating personalized video responses to solve this problem? Receiving a video email or text is still a pretty rare and special occurrence, and most car shoppers will appreciate the level of effort your salespeople went to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>People buy from people they like, and there is no better way to humanize your salespeople (and your dealership) than letting them see your smiling face while you introduce yourself, tell them a little about yourself, and answer their questions in a video.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Videos help to build trust that make shoppers more comfortable with continuing down the sales funnel. Plus, creating a personalized video for every lead makes it more likely that the prospect’s specific questions are answered—which in turn, makes it more likely that they will respond.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Revive old leads</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>How many opportunities have ended without a sale in the last two years due to lack of inventory? Hopefully your team still has these leads in your CRM, because with inventory returning to lots around the country, now is the perfect time to reach out and let these previous shoppers know.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Many consumers have been willing to wait for the vehicle they want, and to wait for vehicle prices to come back down to earth. As inventory levels are replenished, reach out to these car shoppers to see if they are still in the market.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The best way to get a response is to record a short salesperson introduction video, then send it via email or text. Introduce yourself, be sincere and friendly, and ask the person if they’re still in the market for a vehicle. Suggest one or two vehicles in your inventory that matched their initial inquiry and include inventory videos of those vehicles for the consumer to watch. Let prospects know if you’re having any specials. Utilize video to get these leads back in your sales funnel.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Post videos on social media</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Give a reason for car shoppers to contact your dealership instead of other dealerships in town. Create informational and emotional videos promoting your dealership’s value propositions, then post them on social media.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Additionally, create a series of customer testimonial videos featuring happy customers. Post these on social media, along with links to pages with lead submission forms. Also, post the inventory videos on your VDPs to social media. As new, and especially hot, inventory arrives, share links from VDP videos to social media so that your followers can see the new selections without visiting your website.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Send thank you videos to customers</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Most people who purchase a vehicle never hear from their salesperson again. Imagine their delight and surprise when they receive a video from the salesperson or general manager a week after purchase.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In this video, the salesperson or manager should offer a sincere thank you, share contact information in case the customer has any questions, and ask for a referral. This extra, thoughtful step may just provide the impetus that your customer needs to promote their positive shopping experience with a friend or family member.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>These are just a few of the many ways to use video in your video strategy. The bottom line is that generating leads is a proven benefit of video marketing, but in order to maximize your videos’ potential, you need to start with the end in mind and have a well-thought out strategy in place.</p>Taylor Nelson Joins FlickFusion Video Marketing as VP of Corporate Strategytag:www.dealerelite.net,2023-01-23:5283893:BlogPost:13702712023-01-23T13:00:00.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA - January 23, 2023 -</strong> FlickFusion Video Marketing, the leader in automotive video and digital marketing software, has hired Taylor Nelson as Vice President of Corporate Strategy. In this newly established role, Nelson will develop and lead corporate strategies designed to enhance profitability, performance, and drive overall company growth.</p>
<p> …</p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA - January 23, 2023 -</strong> FlickFusion Video Marketing, the leader in automotive video and digital marketing software, has hired Taylor Nelson as Vice President of Corporate Strategy. In this newly established role, Nelson will develop and lead corporate strategies designed to enhance profitability, performance, and drive overall company growth.</p>
<p> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10946591482?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10946591482?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="300" class="align-right" style="padding: 2px;"/></a></p>
<p>Prior to joining FlickFusion, Nelson held a variety of enterprise leadership and strategy positions over his nearly 20-year career. Most recently he managed business development, client services and strategic partnerships for Redline Automotive Merchandising, a leading provider of automotive media and inventory management solutions.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Taylor is a veteran automotive leader and strategist who has worked with dozens of automotive companies, vendors, and partners. He has also helped over 2,000 auto dealers across the U.S. improve their online and offline merchandising,” said Tim James, FlickFusion’s COO. “We are thrilled to welcome Taylor to our executive team and confident that his expertise will fast-track our growth and enhance our industry-leading reputation.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Regarding his new position at FlickFusion, Nelson said: “It is an absolute honor to join FlickFusion in this movement to redefine automotive shopper engagement. At a time when consumer confidence is developed by high-quality, automotive media and seller transparency, it has never been more important to provide our dealer and vendor partners with solutions that provide car shoppers with the confidence they need to purchase online.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For more information visit <span><a href="https://flickfusion.com/">https://flickfusion.com</a></span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://flickfusion.com/"><strong>About FlickFusion</strong></a></span></p>
<p><span> </span>FlickFusion is the auto industry’s leading video marketing solutions provider to auto dealerships and their preferred reseller partners. FlickFusion’s Nucleus platform is a comprehensive video hosting, marketing, merchandising and communication platform that is fully integrated with the industry’s leading DMS and CRMs. Nucleus automates much of the video production, distribution and data collection process, making it easy for dealers to provide relevant video content to customers across multiple digital touchpoints.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion’s merchandising tools include Inventory Videos and Interactive 360 Spins, bringing inventory to life and providing an interactive viewing experience for car shoppers. Marketing tools include new model test drive videos, testimonial videos and dynamic marketing videos, designed to increase customer engagement, leads and conversions by creating an omnichannel video strategy across all of the dealership’s online marketing and social media touch-points. FlickFusion’s video communication tools include Video Texting and Email and StreaMe, a platform agnostic video chat app that instantly connects car shoppers with dealership personnel for virtual test-drives, inventory acquisition, and service related one-on-one conversations. </p>FlickFusion to Showcase Award-Winning All-in-One Video Marketing Platform, Nucleus, at NADAtag:www.dealerelite.net,2023-01-16:5283893:BlogPost:13705412023-01-16T13:00:00.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><strong><a href="https://flickfusion.com/nucleus/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10940690299?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Urbandale, IA—January 16, 2023—</strong>FlickFusion will be showcasing its award-winning Video Marketing & Communication platform, Nucleus, at the NADA Conference and Exposition in Dallas, from January 26-29 at booth #5102. Nucleus offers dealerships a fully-integrated video marketing and communication solution, including automated data-driven inventory videos, patented AI-driven interactive…</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://flickfusion.com/nucleus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10940690299?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Urbandale, IA—January 16, 2023—</strong>FlickFusion will be showcasing its award-winning Video Marketing & Communication platform, Nucleus, at the NADA Conference and Exposition in Dallas, from January 26-29 at booth #5102. Nucleus offers dealerships a fully-integrated video marketing and communication solution, including automated data-driven inventory videos, patented AI-driven interactive 360-degree spins, video email and texting, and live video calling—all of which are tailored to drive online engagement, increase sales, and recreate the on-the-lot experience online.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Consumer buying habits have changed, and it’s more important than ever for dealerships to build trust and get online shoppers emotionally attached to a car without them having to visit a dealership’s lot. We help bring that traditional ‘on the lot’ handshake experience to the digital marketplace with our unique video and interactive 360° spin technologies,” said Tim James, FlickFusion’s COO. “By merchandising your inventory better and improving the overall online shopping experience for your customers with video communications and live video streaming, you set more appointments, more of those appointments actually show up, and you sell more cars.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With Nucleus, dealerships can utilize the power of A.I. to easily create and distribute high-quality videos and 360s, utilizing just their existing inventory feed to showcase their vehicles and provide customers with an immersive and emotional shopping experience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nucleus’s interactive 360° spins allow customers to explore vehicles inside and out at their own pace, while video texting and emailing make it easy for sales personnel to communicate with potential buyers. In addition, live video chat enables customers to speak directly with sales associates, even if they’re not physically at the dealership, with an easy-to-use, one-click video call that connects the consumer no matter what device they are using (desktop/mobile, Android/iPhone) and without any downloaded apps or software.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion invites all NADA attendees to visit booth #5102 to see the Nucleus platform in action and take advantage of special show pricing. The FlickFusion team will be on hand to answer any questions and demonstrate the platform’s powerful capabilities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For more information visit <a href="https://flickfusion.com">https://flickfusion.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://flickfusion.com/"><strong>About FlickFusion</strong></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion is the auto industry’s leading video marketing solutions provider to auto dealerships and their preferred reseller partners. FlickFusion’s Nucleus platform is a comprehensive video hosting, marketing, merchandising and communication platform that is fully integrated with the industry’s leading DMS and CRMs. Nucleus automates much of the video production, distribution and data collection process, making it easy for dealers to provide relevant video content to customers across multiple digital touchpoints.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion’s merchandising tools include Inventory Videos and Interactive 360 Spins, bringing inventory to life and providing an interactive viewing experience for car shoppers. Marketing tools include new model test drive videos, testimonial videos and dynamic marketing videos, designed to increase customer engagement, leads and conversions by creating an omnichannel video strategy across all of the dealership’s online marketing and social media touch-points. FlickFusion’s video communication tools include Video Texting and Email and StreaMe, a platform agnostic video chat app that instantly connects car shoppers with dealership personnel for virtual test-drives, inventory acquisition, and service related one-on-one conversations. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Jason Ezell Joins FlickFusion Video Marketing as VP Partner of Communicationstag:www.dealerelite.net,2022-04-25:5283893:BlogPost:13674652022-04-25T13:15:46.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p>FlickFusion Video Marketing has hired Jason Ezell as Vice President of Partner Communications. In his new role, Ezell will maintain and help to build strategic relationships with digital marketing, website and CRM companies in the retail automotive industry.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10438288893?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10438288893?profile=RESIZE_710x" style="padding: 2px;" width="100"></img></a></p>
<p>“Jason brings a skillset and level of experience that will be incredibly valuable as…</p>
<p>FlickFusion Video Marketing has hired Jason Ezell as Vice President of Partner Communications. In his new role, Ezell will maintain and help to build strategic relationships with digital marketing, website and CRM companies in the retail automotive industry.</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10438288893?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10438288893?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="100" class="align-right" style="padding: 2px;"/></a></p>
<p>“Jason brings a skillset and level of experience that will be incredibly valuable as FlickFusion continues to grow and expand,” said Tim James, FlickFusion’s COO. “We are excited to have him on our team.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I always look for the best product in a space, and the technology that FlickFusion has built over the last decade is second to none,” said Ezell. “The automation and customization aspect of its Nucleus platform is huge, making it easy for dealers to draw customers to their websites and inventory pages, and to have those customers become ¬emotionally engaged with the dealership’s inventory and brand.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Ezell brings more than 30 years of experience in the retail automotive industry to FlickFusion’s executive management team. Ezell began his career in auto dealerships, working his way up from sales into finance and management positions. Ezell then co-founded Dealerskins and Dataium, and helped to grow those companies into recognized brands in the auto industry. Additionally, Ezell has worked in senior executive positions with DealerOn, Autotrader.com and Force Marketing.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Consumer demand for video content continues to soar, with online videos making up 82% of all Internet traffic, according to Cisco. FlickFusion’s Nucleus platform allows auto dealers to create and distribute videos across multiple touchpoints, intuitively delivering the right video to the right buyer at the right time. FlickFusion is partnered with dozens of website providers, CRM and digital marketing vendors, resellers, lot services and video production companies.</p>
<p>For more information visit <a href="https://flickfusion.com">https://flickfusion.com</a></p>
<p>About FlickFusion</p>
<p>FlickFusion offers a full-solution video hosting, marketing and distribution platform to automotive and other inventory-based industries. The platform delivers automated, integrated and rule/behavior-based, including geo-targeted, video content in real-time, across multiple touchpoints and throughout the entire purchase cycle.</p>
<p>FlickFusion makes it easy for dealers to create desktop and mobile-friendly vehicle inventory videos, video email and customer engagement videos such as testimonials, service department overviews and more. Videos are proven to capture more buyers' attention, advance organic SEO rankings, generate leads and increase conversion rates. The FlickFusion system builds emotional value and customer loyalty for more than 4,500 brands and preferred partners.</p>The Future of Video Marketingtag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-11-02:5283893:BlogPost:13662262021-11-02T14:04:21.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9760152301?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9760152301?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> The majority of consumers prefer video content which is why social media and streaming services thrive (and prefer) this form of media.</p>
<p>I remember when it was revolutionary for an inventory syndication company to take still photos and convert them into stitched photos videos.</p>
<p>Then we evolved to video walkarounds where an actual video of the…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9760152301?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9760152301?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>The majority of consumers prefer video content which is why social media and streaming services thrive (and prefer) this form of media.</p>
<p>I remember when it was revolutionary for an inventory syndication company to take still photos and convert them into stitched photos videos.</p>
<p>Then we evolved to video walkarounds where an actual video of the vehicle is used (rather than still pictures put together) which increases engagement because the consumer can see the vehicle almost as if they are on the lot.</p>
<p>This also enables the dealership to produce their own custom voice-overs whereby a salesperson describes the features and benefits just as they would if they were doing it in real-life.</p>
<p>And then we moved on to taking personalized videos of vehicles for a specific customer, answering their questions then emailing the video to them. Take it up a notch and we are now able to use individual shopper data to change the viewing experience for each individual shopper based on their viewing habits and report each viewing experience back to your CRM in real-time<strike>.</strike></p>
<p>Then we graduated to real-time Livestream video to communicate with customers on mobile devices, whether that be for purchasing questions or simply to let the customer guide the salesperson while doing a virtual walkaround (or virtual test-drive) to show them what they want to see. Imagine a salesperson being able to communicate with a customer just as if the salesperson were standing in the room with them!</p>
<p>Now we get into the Star Trek zone…</p>
<p>The Cirque de Soleil show, Michael Jackson One, in Las Vegas, has an awe-inspiring feature -- Michael Jackson himself appears as a hologram. And the recent Digital Dealer Conference featured an ENTIRE CONCERT with a hologram of Whitney Houston. Let me tell you, it looks like these departed celebrities are really there. They’re dancing next to real-life dancers and singing their songs. It is certainly very engaging.</p>
<p>The point is that video – as well as technology in general – continues to evolve. The technology to bring people in various locations together so they can engage with each other in meaningful ways will only continue to progress. What is the thread that drives all of this? It’s video. And that is how important it is for engaging others.</p>
<p>What’s the next step? Perhaps we’ll be able to just transport a salesperson and a vehicle into the customer's living room (with their permission, of course.) Now, beam me up, Scotty!</p>Make Your Videos Talk, Even When They’re Silenttag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-10-05:5283893:BlogPost:13655422021-10-05T14:00:00.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9648210057?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9648210057?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> When it comes to marketing, video is the most effective, engaging, and preferred medium by consumers. Every social media platform has preached this for years and statistics support this fact. Streaming video is beginning to outperform cable and consumers increasingly choose video online over all other mediums.</p>
<p>There are ways to supercharge your video…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9648210057?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9648210057?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>When it comes to marketing, video is the most effective, engaging, and preferred medium by consumers. Every social media platform has preached this for years and statistics support this fact. Streaming video is beginning to outperform cable and consumers increasingly choose video online over all other mediums.</p>
<p>There are ways to supercharge your video content by using the videos you are already making to further benefit your marketing strategy – specifically by adding subtitles to those videos.</p>
<p>According to <a href="https://www.marketingweek.com/four-reasons-video-subtitles-matter/?fbclid=IwAR1GcapZ-6kuJ8BRlO0L2mt4rl9BRbErn432mPbVXb7yZ2PN3G-c1Xd3V5s" target="_blank" rel="noopener">an article</a> on Marketing Week, adding subtitles to your videos produces multiple benefits. Similar to I-frame content or widgets added to your website, Google cannot always “read” video content when crawling your website, and so it has no benefit to search results. But Google (and other search engines) can read videos that have subtitles included. Why? Because by including the text, it transitions your unreadable video into a readable one. This adds incredible value to your video content from an SEO stance.</p>
<p>Have you ever scrolled through a social media platform, seen a video without the sound on, and kept scrolling? By adding subtitles to your video, consumers can not only watch the video but also see what you’re saying. The Marketing Week article shares statistics from Verizon stating that a full 50% of consumers watch video content with the sound off. This percentage increases to 69% when consumers watch a video in public. Subtitles allow those consumers to watch your video content and get the words, thus increasing the percentage of people who see and continue to engage with your video content by simply allowing them to absorb the content and keep engagement on their terms.</p>
<p>Google (and others) penalize websites that aren’t compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Many OEMs and website providers are also requiring ADA compliant videos and more are soon to follow. Plenty of car shoppers are hearing impaired and, while a video is great, if a potential car buyer can’t hear your video, it’s useless to them. By adding subtitles, those consumers will be more attracted to your dealership in the same way that having a salesperson that knows sign language, speaks Spanish, Korean or any other language makes those customers feel more at ease. Consumers feel more comfortable when dealerships (or any business) communicate with them on their terms.</p>
<p>While all of your videos should be ADA compliant, there are some videos that would benefit the most if they can be watched in any setting. Customer testimonials, value proposition, finance & service, FAQs, and other "Why Buy" videos all benefit by having great subtitles. If your shoppers are in a situation where they need to watch your videos without sound, these informative and emotion-inducing videos must have subtitles so they can still make an impact no matter the setting.</p>
<p>Competition between dealerships for consumers is hyper-competitive from acquisition to retention to brand loyalty. Anything you can add to your arsenal gives you an advantage over your rivals. Making your videos ADA compliant and available to watch in any setting gives you an edge over dealerships whose videos can’t evoke emotion or transfer information when customers have to watch silently.</p>
<p>Consider adding subtitles to your dealership’s video experience so your videos stand out and shout even when they’re silent.</p>Interactive Video: The Power of Storytag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-09-21:5283893:BlogPost:13650332021-09-21T13:39:34.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9591144285?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9591144285?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Video has taken over as the preferred form of content for consumers. According to an <a href="https://www.thedrum.com/profile/depositphotos/news/the-state-of-video-marketing-in-2021-infographic?fbclid=IwAR2IZku92ExHH0v0sj5IDSrtkeqJevLHUfsQy3ji3XfShX0l__t_RyTaxyI">infographic</a> on The Drum, in 2017 only 63% of businesses used videos in their marketing. Fast…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9591144285?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9591144285?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Video has taken over as the preferred form of content for consumers. According to an <a href="https://www.thedrum.com/profile/depositphotos/news/the-state-of-video-marketing-in-2021-infographic?fbclid=IwAR2IZku92ExHH0v0sj5IDSrtkeqJevLHUfsQy3ji3XfShX0l__t_RyTaxyI">infographic</a> on The Drum, in 2017 only 63% of businesses used videos in their marketing. Fast forward to 2021 and that statistic has exploded to 86%. In addition, 85% of consumers stated that they would like to see even more video content from businesses. But forget about these statistics for a moment and just think about yourself and your habits. Would you prefer to read a bunch of words about a product you are researching, or watch an informative video on it?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In my past blogs I have shared various ways you can use video to engage your customers -- but here is another idea:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Most dealerships hold new car-owner clinics designed to welcome shoppers who just purchased a new car to the dealership's family, introduce them to service, and answer any questions they may have after owning their vehicle. These clinics handle a variety of things from how to set the seat memory function, to how to pair their iPhone with the vehicle’s entertainment system. The clinics are designed to invest the customer in your dealership while encouraging them to continue to do business with you as well as refer their friends and family.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If run well, the clinics show the customer that you care and that they are important to your dealership. This sort of service builds tremendous trust with your dealership's new customers. The problem is, especially now with Covid, many new car owners don’t show up. Whether that’s because of a scheduling issue, or a feeling that it is not important, varies from customer to customer. What if you could offer a similar experience to your customers through video? It’s quite simple!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Think of an interactive video similar to a choose-your-own adventure-type experience. Do you remember those books? You read a page and then, at the end of the page, decide what you want to do next. How about creating a similar experience for your customers, but with video? As vehicles become increasingly more sophisticated and technology-infused, these questions will become more frequent, and your customers will go online to find the answers to their questions rather than come to you. Why don’t YOU become their go-to resource?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Start with what you want them to see and learn, along with the people you want them to meet, and make videos of those things. Typically, at these events, salespeople answer the customer’s vehicle-specific questions such as how the memory seats work, or how rain-sending wipers are set up.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Then, you need to put these videos where your customers will see them. The best way to get these videos seen is to use video email/text to follow up with your new customers. First, create a video introducing how your process works. Put this video on a landing page that includes videos covering the car-specific topics that you think the customer should see, whether it is features of their vehicle's infotainment system or unique settings on their seat adjustments. This allows customers to guide themselves through your educational process at their own pace, using the power of video to retain more information and come back to watch whenever they need to.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Finally, offer each consumer the opportunity to Live Stream with you on the fly. I know that we all have become familiar with many live streaming services like ZOOM or Facetime. The problem is that not all live streaming services work on all devices (Apple, Android, Desktop, Mobile, etc.) and scheduling set times to live stream often leads to consumers ditching because something came up at that time. Utilize the new "one-click" live streaming technology that places a "Video Call" button on your landing pages (or any designated page) that the consumer can engage anytime at their convenience. This button will call into your dealership's system and ring any designated team member who is online at that time. When the call is answered by a dealership employee, the consumer and employee are instantly placed in a live streaming call, and it all happens at the consumer’s convenience. Now your employee can walk through the various features with the consumer, just as if they were at a live event. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Interactive, personalized video engages your customers. It also makes you their go-to resource, helps the customer gain more familiarity with your dealership and staff, and starts the process of building brand loyalty which, hopefully, culminates with a brand advocate. And there is no better, or more profitable, customer than that!</p>All Aboard! Using Video to Onboard Employeestag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-09-07:5283893:BlogPost:13646652021-09-07T14:00:00.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9550707886?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9550707886?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> As I have mentioned in previous blogs, there are many uses for video in marketing. One thing I haven’t yet discussed is using video internally in your dealership. At many dealerships, training is not always a strong focus and new employees are introduced to the dealership and company culture through piles of paperwork, manuals, and other tedious tasks that,…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9550707886?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9550707886?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>As I have mentioned in previous blogs, there are many uses for video in marketing. One thing I haven’t yet discussed is using video internally in your dealership. At many dealerships, training is not always a strong focus and new employees are introduced to the dealership and company culture through piles of paperwork, manuals, and other tedious tasks that, for the most part, get skimmed through – rather like all of those "Terms and Agreements" we are all subjected to continuously. For the most part, these just go unread, and we simply scroll down until we reach the “Agree” button.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well, similar to how you can use video to great success to engage your potential and existing customers, you can also use video to engage new employees and make it simpler and more enjoyable for them to learn about their new career as well as your dealership’s culture, branding, and messaging. Incorporating training videos into your onboarding process will be more engaging and will also be remembered over piles of paper.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here are four ways to incorporate video into your training:</p>
<p> </p>
<ol>
<li>Sexual Harassment/Discrimination Policies – These are pretty standard in almost every business. Typically, however, there are manuals that have to be read. Then, at the end, the employee just needs to sign the last page and turn it in. These are very important for company culture and legal compliance. Consider having your corporate office or Human Resources department create a video outlining the dealership’s policies THEN have the employee watch the video and sign the form stating they understand them. It would be much more engaging, and, with the right platform, you can have a data record of what has been watched.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="2">
<li>Company Culture Overview – Dealerships market the experience consumers should expect and employees are on the front line of this. Employees can either reinforce that promise or detract from it. Consider creating a video for employees that illustrates the company culture and the importance of complying while also explaining expectations. You can then get a head start on the new employee’s indoctrination into the organization.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="3">
<li>Meet the Team – All too often, a new hire completes all of the paperwork and gets thrust into their new role without knowing who else exists in the dealership outside of the few they work with directly. Just as it is a good idea to make videos introducing yourself to customers, why not have department managers – front, back office, and service – create a short video introducing themselves to a new employee? This will help the new employee start their career with a sense of who everyone is and what they do and add a sense of the “team” they are joining.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<ol start="4">
<li>Social Media Policies – Most dealerships have policies in place for employees’ use of social media platforms. Whatever your policies happen to be, the new employee should be informed of them right from the beginning. There have been lawsuits whereby employees were terminated because of social media use and, when the employee sued the dealership, the dealership lost due to lack of a policy.</li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p>When you make these videos, you would be wise to use a video platform that provides data. Then you can allow these employees to watch these videos in the comfort of their own home --rather than sticking them in a closet with a bunch of paperwork.</p>
<p>Employees will feel more comfortable, will pay more attention, and should, ultimately be ready to roll from the first day they step into the dealership.</p>Taking Moment Marketing to a Whole New Leveltag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-08-16:5283893:BlogPost:13642472021-08-16T14:53:10.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9432887488?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9432887488?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> In a <a href="https://blog.flickfusion.com/2021/06/23/capturing-customer-moments-and-making-them-marketing-gold/">past blog</a>, I talked about how dealers can capitalize upon customer moments in their video marketing strategies. This is an excellent tool for utilizing sales and service customers to acquire new ones without spending hundreds of dollars. A…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9432887488?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9432887488?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>In a <a href="https://blog.flickfusion.com/2021/06/23/capturing-customer-moments-and-making-them-marketing-gold/">past blog</a>, I talked about how dealers can capitalize upon customer moments in their video marketing strategies. This is an excellent tool for utilizing sales and service customers to acquire new ones without spending hundreds of dollars. A recent article I read by <a href="https://martechseries.com/mts-insights/staff-writers/do-b2b-marketers-need-to-capitalize-more-on-moment-marketing/">MarTech</a> suggests taking this “Moment Marketing” strategy to the next level. Mainly, utilizing current topics and trends to create marketing that consumers care about on a larger scale, going beyond just the dealership’s internal assets.</p>
<p>I am sure you have seen some examples. Do you remember when the power went out during the 2013 Super Bowl? All sorts of <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jenniferrooney/2013/02/03/how-advertisers-made-the-super-bowl-power-outage-work-for-them/">companies capitalized</a> on that including Walgreens, Oreo, Tide, and even Audi taking a shot at Mercedes… and they all went viral.</p>
<p>I realize that your dealership probably does not have the resources to accomplish that level of marketing. However, you may be surprised to learn that many of you are probably already doing it on some level. Think about how most dealerships’ marketing changed during the pandemic to showing how hygienic, clean, and safe their dealerships (that could be open) were. Or how they instituted pickup and delivery services for both service and sales during the pandemic.</p>
<p>Currently, the auto industry is experiencing turmoil in vehicle acquisition and pricing, with some consumers paying MSRP for used vehicles. These acquisition pricing challenges at auction have shifted the marketing focus towards enticing consumers to trade in or sell their cars to the dealer. In addition, dealers are aggressively targeting the end of lease customer 12-18 months before their lease end date rather than the 3-month norm. There are also many consumer-oriented sites advising customers that now is the time to get rid of that vehicle because they can get an extremely attractive trade-in value. </p>
<p>To take a larger view of Moment Marketing, and to produce the most ROI from this marketing, it helps to additionally be aware of what’s going on in your communities, PMA, and the world. Besides using video to focus on how great your dealership is through customer testimonials; consider utilizing video to show how your dealership understands and cares about the exact things your customers do. It's not a hard concept because every dealer, dealership employee, or even your vendor partners care about a lot of the same things that are going on. Whether that’s unusual or funny things that happened (like the lights going out at the Super Bowl through social media posts); or more emotional things such as the <a href="https://youtu.be/LyP0JsyvYnA">Budweiser Clydesdales</a> kneeling to remember September 11 ten years after the fact, these are things that endear people to your brand by touching their hearts and creating an emotional connection.</p>
<p>There is no way for me to know what's going on that is important to your local community. Every dealership is going to have its own "moments." I can tell you, however, that the majority of us know what’s going on in the United States. By being sensitive, identifying what matters to YOU and your customers, and using that information to create sensitive, emotional, funny creative video (depending on the situation, of course,) your videos can transcend the normal “buy a car” type videos.</p>
<p>Create videos that connect your dealership with consumers, build brand awareness and advocate and increase engagement with your content. This will endear your customers and potential customers to you and, when they’re ready, they will choose you over your competition.</p>Live Video Calling: Carvana’s Kryptonitetag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-08-04:5283893:BlogPost:13642132021-08-04T13:56:50.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9380397097?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9380397097?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Video marketing has been a growing focus in nearly every industry for over a decade. But during the past year-and-a-half, due to a majority of business moving to virtual, video use at dealerships has exploded. While covid-related restrictions have started to ease in recent months, video has taken root and continued to be an essential tool to help sell more…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9380397097?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9380397097?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Video marketing has been a growing focus in nearly every industry for over a decade. But during the past year-and-a-half, due to a majority of business moving to virtual, video use at dealerships has exploded. While covid-related restrictions have started to ease in recent months, video has taken root and continued to be an essential tool to help sell more cars. This is because not all consumers are ready to venture out, or they recognize the convenience of an online car buying experience.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>At the same time, the used car market is exploding, forcing dealers to increase prices on their lots, with few new vehicles to sell because of chip and parts shortages.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As Carvana and other disrupters are making a play to capture even more market share by running anti-dealership campaigns while willing to lose money buying vehicles high and selling them low, consumers are gravitating towards them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There is a way, however, to overcome the marketing tactics that these online retailers are pushing so heavily: live video calling. The ability to follow up with your leads with a live video call humanizes your dealership. It gives a face and personality to your sales staff that builds the valuable trust relationship that these companies are trying so hard to break.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>While vehicle description pages exist, there is no emotion for a consumer to connect with when they look at text on a screen. Your shoppers will almost assuredly seek more information, while also trying to decide if your dealership is a place that they want to do business with. Through live video calling, your salespeople can connect with their customers, show them the vehicle live and answer any of their questions in real-time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It does not matter if the live video call is one-sided (where the consumer sees you, but you can’t see them) or two-sided (like a Facebook Live video call). You can build rapport with a customer through a live call, show them the vehicle they expressed interest in and reassure them that YOUR DEALERSHIP will be there for them for whatever they need during the car buying cycle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As the market continues to lean more and more to the digital side, both dealerships and these industry disruptors will continue getting online leads. The good news is your dealership can still have an advantage over these online companies. Through live video calling, you can prove that you are a business that can still be trusted… much more than any multi-story “car vending machine” can.</p>FlickFusion Rebrands Video Marketing Platform for Auto Dealers; Introduces Nucleustag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-08-02:5283893:BlogPost:13643162021-08-02T14:13:49.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><em>Customizable platform provides dealers with complete video solutions for marketing and merchandising vehicles, communicating with customers</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—August 2, 2021—</strong>FlickFusion, the industry's leading video marketing provider, today announced a rebranding of its market-leading video marketing platform for auto dealers, and is introducing <a href="https://flickfusion.com/nucleus/">Nucleus</a>. Nucleus provides dealers with a core solution upon…</p>
<p><em>Customizable platform provides dealers with complete video solutions for marketing and merchandising vehicles, communicating with customers</em></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—August 2, 2021—</strong>FlickFusion, the industry's leading video marketing provider, today announced a rebranding of its market-leading video marketing platform for auto dealers, and is introducing <a href="https://flickfusion.com/nucleus/">Nucleus</a>. Nucleus provides dealers with a core solution upon which they can build a customized and integrated video marketing strategy with a variety of add-on products. Nucleus makes it easy for dealers to use videos to market and merchandise their inventory, as well as to communicate with customers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“It’s becoming evident to dealers that they’ve got to start doing more with video, but many don’t have a strategy in place behind their video production,” said Tim James, COO of FlickFusion. “Nucleus is the only video marketing platform in the industry that automates much of the strategy of video marketing, including production, distribution and the collection and utilization of data from video viewers.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nucleus is a customizable and scalable platform suitable for all dealers regardless of their video marketing experience. Nucleus allows dealers to start small and scale up, or start with a robust video marketing strategy that will immediately boost website traffic, lead conversion rates, as well as search engine optimization (SEO) results.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dealers can choose from a variety of <a href="https://flickfusion.com/tools/">add-on video products</a> to help them meeting their marketing, merchandising or customer communications goals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The use of video in marketing campaigns has been proven to increase response rates and ROI. Videos such as New Model Test Drives, Testimonial Reviews and Dynamic Marketing Videos make it easy to include videos in campaigns across every marketing channel.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dealers spend money to merchandise vehicles in their showrooms, but often do little to merchandise their vehicles online, where most car shoppers do the majority of their research and selection process. FlickFusion’s Inventory Videos and 360-Spin videos provide customers with an immersive shopping experience and the videos can be distributed across all inventory touchpoints. Additionally, merchandising videos displayed along with other videos on a landing page help to bring potential buyers down funnel.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To increase lead response rates and customer engagement, many dealers are turning to video communications. FlickFusion’s Video Texting and Email product, and its Live Video Chat application, help to humanize dealership employees and overcome negative stereotypes. They also deliver the “wow” factor to prospects who receive personalized video texts and emails from salespeople.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The name Nucleus is a re-branding of FlickFusion’s award-winning SmartFlicks video marketing platform. The platform was designed for simplicity, ease of use and has been proven to deliver results, including increased website traffic, leads, lead conversions, appointments and sales.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For more information visit <a href="https://flickfusion.com/">https://flickfusion.com</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickfusion.com"><strong>About FlickFusion</strong></a></p>
<p>FlickFusion offers a full-solution video hosting, marketing and distribution platform to automotive and other inventory-based industries. The platform delivers automated, integrated and rule/behavior-based, including geo-targeted, video content in real-time, across multiple touchpoints and throughout the entire purchase cycle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion makes it easy for dealers to create desktop and mobile-friendly vehicle inventory videos, video email and customer engagement videos such as testimonials, service department overviews and more. Videos are proven to capture more buyers' attention, advance organic SEO rankings, generate leads and increase conversion rates. The FlickFusion system builds emotional value and customer loyalty for more than 3,500 brands and preferred partners.</p>How to Get the Most Out of Your Video Contenttag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-07-20:5283893:BlogPost:13635412021-07-20T14:27:19.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9279986898?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9279986898?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Video is a great way to engage car shoppers and there are many ways your dealership can benefit from using it to make an incredible impact during the buying cycle. Here are some simple best practice tips that work well and can help you get the most out of your video content.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Utilize Video Walkarounds on Vehicle Display Pages and Additional…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9279986898?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9279986898?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Video is a great way to engage car shoppers and there are many ways your dealership can benefit from using it to make an incredible impact during the buying cycle. Here are some simple best practice tips that work well and can help you get the most out of your video content.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1. Utilize Video Walkarounds on Vehicle Display Pages and Additional Touchpoints</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A lot of dealerships shoot great walkaround videos of various inventory and then post only to their Facebook accounts. When you are already putting in the effort to get videos of your inventory, why not utilize those videos to their full extent? Customers are mainly digital-first in the modern market, and there are countless opportunities to display your videos – ones that you are likely already paying for, like your VDPs, SRPs, Autotrader, and Cars.com. With hundreds if not thousands of “in market” shoppers on these other touchpoints that you are already investing in, it makes the most sense to put your awesome merchandise walkarounds there too.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> 2. Repurpose video walk-around content</p>
<p> </p>
<p>One of the most obvious examples is video walkarounds. The method that most BDCs or salespeople use is to make them on the fly. A lead or phone call comes in and the consumer wants more information about the vehicle and more images. The BDC or salesperson then goes onto the lot, finds the vehicle, pulls it out of the line, records a video (hopefully personalized at minimum), and then emails it to the customer. What happens when, 30 minutes later, another customer calls in with the same request? Well, the process starts over.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How much time are those employees taking to do this? My guess would be a few hours a day that they "could" be following up with opportunities. There are <a href="https://flickfusion.com/vidcom/">services</a> out there that can reduce that time to minutes. Once a walkaround is completed, the car itself does not change but the message to different shoppers will. Rather than shooting a totally new video of the same thing, you can simply record a personalized picture-in-picture, showing your sales person talking about the features of the car that specific lead is the most interested in. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>3. Repurpose evergreen content on your website to attract more eyeballs</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Another great way to repurpose content is to take your evergreen video content and reuse it elsewhere to attract more views. Let’s say that you made a video explaining the importance of a transmission flush – something that customers in your service drive don’t think of or understand. Why not take that video and make a written version of it for your website? This provides great content for customers in your area searching for that information and is also great for SEO purposes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>4. Social Media</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Video can also be effective for social media purposes. All platforms now embrace video as the best content format. Using short-form videos to engage customers in their Facebook feeds (or other social media platforms) is a great way to spread the word about your store and tell your story. Some simple content ideas that you can put on your social media are: videos that show what makes your dealership unique, customer testimonials, current deals/incentives, new model test drive snippets, etc. Video doesn’t need to be complicated to be impactful on social media, just give your shoppers content you know they will be interested in an authentic way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>5. Blogs/Content Marketing</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you are writing blog content, take that blog and create a video of its message. You've already taken the time to do the writing, why not create a dual-use for it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>On the opposite end of that spectrum, you could take those transcribed or repurposed blogs and create an e-book for your customers out of a compilation. Say you made a video explaining the importance of the many service upsells that consumers don't understand. Then you made blog posts from those videos. Why not create an e-book or PDF/graphic compiling all of these explanations that consumers can reference?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Keep in mind that you want your dealership to be the go-to resource for all things related to your brand and services. If you don’t provide that information, they will simply find it someplace else. And that might be from a competitor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the end, video content can be repurposed in several ways to help your dealership communicate with customers and improve engagement. It can also provide powerful SEO for your website and build your site into a place consumers visit before the competition for sales and service-related information. You become thought leaders for your brand which can then lead to an increase in sales and a higher percentage of service recommendation acceptance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When it comes to video marketing it pays to take a look at the larger picture to see how you can utilize video for all of your content – and make life easier.</p>Tim James to Present “Build an Amazing Video Strategy” at Unfair Advantage Automotive Mastermind Group (UAAMG)tag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-07-19:5283893:BlogPost:13634552021-07-19T13:22:42.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—July 19, 2021—</strong>FlickFusion’s COO Tim James will present “Build an Amazing Video Strategy” at the <a href="https://unfairadvantagemastermind.com/">Unfair Advantage Automotive Mastermind Group</a> (UAAMG), August 5, 2021 in Myrtle Beach, SC.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Many dealerships are doing a great job producing video content; however, many dealers don’t have a strategy beyond just posting that content on Facebook or their website,” said Tim James, COO of Flick Fusion.…</p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—July 19, 2021—</strong>FlickFusion’s COO Tim James will present “Build an Amazing Video Strategy” at the <a href="https://unfairadvantagemastermind.com/">Unfair Advantage Automotive Mastermind Group</a> (UAAMG), August 5, 2021 in Myrtle Beach, SC.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Many dealerships are doing a great job producing video content; however, many dealers don’t have a strategy beyond just posting that content on Facebook or their website,” said Tim James, COO of Flick Fusion. “This presentation will show dealers how they can strategically place videos throughout the customer’s buying cycle, in the right place at the right time, in order to drive more leads and sales.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>James’ presentation will focus on utilizing technology to maximize the impact of video content across multiple touch-points and during every step of a car buyer’s journey, to provide the best online shopping experience for customers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>UAAMG attendees will leave with the following takeaways:</p>
<ul>
<li>What <a href="https://flickfusion.com/full-motion-walkaround-videos/">video content</a> has the biggest impact on sales</li>
<li>How to utilize technology to maximize the informational and emotional value of their video content while making certain that their video content is being seen by the right shopper at the right time of the buying cycle.</li>
<li>How to integrate video content into the lead follow-up process to increase appointments set and appointment shows</li>
<li>A new way to utilize Web RTC (Real-Time Communication) <a href="https://flickfusion.com/video-calling-texting/">live streaming technology</a> to connect with shoppers who can’t be reached with ZOOM or other popular live streaming services.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion is a Platinum Partner sponsor for the UAAMG event, which is designed for top-performing dealers and managers who are ready to implement proven strategies that will help them become the best in the business.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For more information about UAAMG or to register for the event, visit <a href="https://unfairadvantagemastermind.com/">https://unfairadvantagemastermind.com/</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>For more information about FlickFusion visit <a href="http://flickfusion.com/">http://flickfusion.com</a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickfusion.com"><strong>About FlickFusion</strong></a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>FlickFusion offers a full-solution video hosting, marketing and distribution platform to automotive and other inventory-based industries. The platform delivers automated, integrated and rule/behavior-based, including geo-targeted, video content in real-time, across multiple touchpoints and throughout the entire purchase cycle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion makes it easy for dealers to create desktop and mobile-friendly vehicle inventory videos, video email and customer engagement videos such as testimonials, service department overviews and more. Videos are proven to capture more buyers' attention, advance organic SEO rankings, generate leads and increase conversion rates. The FlickFusion system builds emotional value and customer loyalty for more than 3,500 brands and preferred partners.</p>How Do You Sell a Vehicle without Knowing Which Features are Most Important to the Customer? Video!tag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-07-06:5283893:BlogPost:13633772021-07-06T13:32:59.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9208920479?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9208920479?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Part of the vehicle sales process is to learn the customer’s needs and wants. You probably encounter a large number of consumers who don’t know exactly what they want (or need). In fact, it isn’t unusual for an online lead to provide no additional information other than the vehicle they are interested in. Reaching the consumer to learn more about them and…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9208920479?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9208920479?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Part of the vehicle sales process is to learn the customer’s needs and wants. You probably encounter a large number of consumers who don’t know exactly what they want (or need). In fact, it isn’t unusual for an online lead to provide no additional information other than the vehicle they are interested in. Reaching the consumer to learn more about them and their wants/needs can also be difficult. They might respond to you simply asking for a price, and that could be the only information you have when trying to move forward with the sale and relationship-building process. This conundrum makes it more difficult than ever to sell cars, but luckily <u>video</u> is the solution to this issue.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Recently, a dealer asked a question in a Facebook group that was amazingly simple: “What’s the most important thing for you in a car?” As you can imagine, the answers were all over the place. One of the funniest I saw was "an engine," but many people answered with more interesting responses. The reason they were interesting is that, as a salesperson, you don’t know what a customer wants unless they tell you… and many times they won’t. So how do you sell a car to a customer if you don’t know their needs and wants, and they won’t tell you?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Video walkarounds and video communication. That’s how.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Video Communication:</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>While a growing number of dealerships utilize video in their lead follow up process, many dealerships still respond to inquiries with a simple “give me a call” or “we’ll be in touch soon,” without answering any questions or trying to connect with the consumer on a personal level at all. This approach simply isn’t enough to make your dealership stand out against the lot on the other side of town. Shoppers look for transparency and someone they can trust when going through the big commitment of buying a new car – and you need to show that your sales team and dealership are trustworthy. Dealerships that utilize video communication in their lead follow-up process not only stand out, but they build those valuable trust relationships that keep shoppers coming back and sharing their experience with anyone they know that may need a car. In other words, you go from just another dealership to a trusted source for your shoppers -- simply by getting face-to-face with them over a video call and answering any questions they may have.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Video Walkarounds</strong>:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>But… without a great video experience, one that includes video walkarounds, some dealerships might not get much of a response from their shoppers at all regarding their inventory.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>By using video to display your inventory, you’re able to make an emotional impact on every shopper and get across all the vital information your shoppers care about the most. When you have a video for every car in your inventory, you get the benefit of humanizing your inventory and your dealership, while giving the customer anything they might want to know in the fastest way possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Although photos and vehicle descriptions are extremely important merchandising tools, emotion is what sells. There is no better way to transfer the information the consumer is looking for, while inspiring the emotions that will get the consumer attached to a vehicle, than a good video of the vehicle. With this method, you have a much better chance of selling the vehicle or getting a response from the customer about what works or doesn’t work regarding a specific vehicle. Because of your virtual showroom, once a customer is interested, you know what their needs are and can begin building a closer relationship with them via video communication. Win-win!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Video walkarounds and video communication enable you to better engage the customer, build rapport by selling the vehicle, yourself, and the dealership, and become more of a consultant to them than a salesperson. Don’t simply throw photos of your inventory on your site. Instead, combine video inventory and video communication in your strategy to stand out from the rest.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Think of your presentation like your virtual car lot. Take the customer on a tour of the vehicle via a video walkaround, or personalized video that includes all the selling points you would present if they were there in person – Safety, Comfort, Fuel Economy, Performance, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>An equally important note is to, no matter the form of video, use it to also sell yourself and the dealership at the same time you are selling the car. The most important sell is “you.” Introduce yourself and your dealership and let the consumer know that you are trying to learn more about their wants/needs and that YOU will work hard for them and provide them with THE best experience -- so no need to shop anywhere else.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Utilizing video in this way, having a video strategy for every stage of the buying cycle, allows you to find out what your shoppers want while establishing yourself as a trusted resource.</p>
<p> </p>Capturing Customer Moments and Making them Marketing Goldtag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-06-23:5283893:BlogPost:13633342021-06-23T10:11:55.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9128742271?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9128742271?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Today’s car buyers are usually excited to show off their new car to their friends, families, and associates, either in person or by posting a video of their new vehicle on social media. This creates a huge opportunity for your dealership to earn sales referral business while building a strong library of customer testimonials to utilize across all your online…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9128742271?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9128742271?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Today’s car buyers are usually excited to show off their new car to their friends, families, and associates, either in person or by posting a video of their new vehicle on social media. This creates a huge opportunity for your dealership to earn sales referral business while building a strong library of customer testimonials to utilize across all your online marketing strategies. What if YOU assisted the customer with their video while they were still at YOUR store? Now the customer is sharing a VIDEO of themselves with their new vehicle, telling people about the wonderful experience your dealership provided, how happy they are with their new vehicle, why their salesperson was great and why others should buy a car from YOU.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here is an example of how one successful dealership I know has implemented this strategy. They have an area set up with a gong and red carpet. The salespeople use their smartphone cameras to essentially interview the customer about their experience while they are excited. Best part? The salesperson is in the video WITH the customer. The salespeople work as a team and another salesperson (or manager) does the recording. The dealership gets a solid video testimonial that can be used for marketing; the salesperson gets a little juice to sell himself; and, best of all, the customer gets a video they can share with their friends and family!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You may be wondering how the dealership can get away with doing this, as there are all sorts of “potential” issues with using a customer’s video for marketing and/or review purposes without their written consent.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The dealership does one simple thing to ensure it is following rules, it incorporates a media release into its finance paperwork. This way, when the customer comes out of finance and is taking delivery of their new (or new to them) vehicle, and is excited, the salespeople can capture these memories for the customer. And the dealership can utilize those videos on social media or any other channel they wish. Will every customer agree to do a testimonial? Of course not. But If they do they sign the release in the F&I office.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is an excellent way to build a solid list of customer testimonial videos that will grow throughout the years. Think about it. If your store sells 9 cars per day and, to be conservative, let’s say 50% decline being filmed, that still means 4-5 video testimonials a day, 120 per month… and so on. You get the picture (or video, I should say). Now you have a library of testimonial videos to display on a testimonials page of your website, next to your inventory videos, on other third-party touchpoints, on social media, and to use as part of your online marketing strategies.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some may think it is difficult to elicit these responses. Well, it's not. Just follow two rules: First, train your salespeople to ask specific questions to get the required response you need; and second, always ask the customer to talk about themselves! Don’t ask them why YOU are wonderful, ask them what THEY thought about the experience. You’ll get the answers you are looking for.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you incorporate video testimonials into your sales and F&I process and train your staff to ask each sold customer to do one, you'll have more videos than you could desire in no time. Now, go make some videos!</p>How to Sell the Invisible Cartag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-06-16:5283893:BlogPost:13633082021-06-16T11:43:58.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9097669855?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9097669855?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Right now, inventory is difficult to come by. Used cars are scarce and dealers are paying thousands over market value simply to have vehicles on their lots to sell. When it comes to new vehicle inventory the situation is even more dire. Many dealers’ lots have low new inventory because of chip shortages or transportation times. A…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9097669855?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9097669855?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Right now, inventory is difficult to come by. Used cars are scarce and dealers are paying thousands over market value simply to have vehicles on their lots to sell. When it comes to new vehicle inventory the situation is even more dire. Many dealers’ lots have low new inventory because of chip shortages or transportation times. A <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/edgarsten/2021/06/01/used-vehicle-pricing-hits-bizarre-levels/">recent article</a> by Forbes is an interesting read on the subject.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some dealers are doing their best to fight the odds and push through this situation by pre-selling vehicles that have not yet arrived on their lot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, there are unique challenges when trying to sell a “phantom vehicle.” That intangible and invisible new car that a consumer cannot see, feel, or touch. In addition, many consumers don’t necessarily want to wait 2-3+ months for that invisible car. And that’s where video comes in.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When a customer submits a lead, calls, or comes into your showroom inquiring about a new vehicle that you don’t have -- put your salesperson hat on. It’s typically quite simple to see what vehicles are on the way (and how they are equipped), and your allocated vehicles not yet built out; as well as what is already on your lot. Rather than turn a customer away because you don’t have a vehicle for them, why not use the inventory you do have to sell them on the fact they can build their “dream car?” Show them an existing vehicle to help sell them on all the options and features they could have with the assurance that they can order the vehicle exactly how they want it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And, if that customer is not in the showroom, through the power of video you can easily create a video of a used (or new) model vehicle that you DO have in your current inventory. Take a personalized walkaround video of the vehicle on your lot and explain that, while you don’t have a new one for them to buy, you can offer them the unique opportunity to order one that is incoming exactly how they want it. In other words, they can build their dream car! The customer will still qualify for all of the incentives, rebates, and subvented interest rates from the factory when the vehicle does arrive, so you can also use that within your sales toolbox when shooting your video. While you are at it you can also go over the many features of the existing vehicle and its great value. You never know, they might even like the one that you just did a walk around on and want to buy it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Right now, it pays to be creative and use methods and sales techniques that engage customers and help you sell what you do have. Video is one of the best tools you have to do just that. You can transfer more information and inspire more emotion via video than any other media. Use video to tell a story about how a customer can own their dream car and you could very easily find that, when new vehicles do arrive, they are already sold. Or, through the power of video, you could end up selling the vehicle from the walkaround! And that’s a good thing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The bottom line is, it is more important than ever to incorporate the use of video throughout your entire sales and marketing strategy. Try it, it works.</p>Video Marketing: Strategy Firsttag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-04-30:5283893:BlogPost:13626032021-04-30T13:41:59.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8874561460?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8874561460?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> When it comes to video marketing, I see a large variety of strategies within the automotive industry. Some dealerships are hyper-focused and create their video content with a defined purpose and strategy, some have a good idea of the “type” of video content that they need to capture but no defined strategy for maximizing the value of that video through…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8874561460?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8874561460?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>When it comes to video marketing, I see a large variety of strategies within the automotive industry. Some dealerships are hyper-focused and create their video content with a defined purpose and strategy, some have a good idea of the “type” of video content that they need to capture but no defined strategy for maximizing the value of that video through touchpoint distribution, and some dealerships simply bring out a cell phone and start aimlessly wandering around their lot, with employees capturing video of whatever they want to. While these actions are certainly a start, it is far more effective to have an overall video marketing strategy. Start by thinking about what video content will have the biggest impact on your shoppers throughout the entire buying cycle. And then figure out how you plan to distribute your content across the various touchpoints to be seen by the right shopper at the right time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>An <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/panels/strategies-master-video-marketing-1155551/?fbclid=IwAR07YHQJkyfjv75FhTA61tjPgdshqTKvVqj1OfuxdNKv_QNSJfZhDNileKM">excellent article</a> in Rolling Stone magazine showcases advice from eight video marketing experts. All of the panelists give solid advice. But the one that stuck out to me the most was by Brian Chin, Co-Founding Partner of <a href="https://p3maine.com/">p3 Maine</a>, a video production company. His advice was as follows:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>“</em><em>I run a video agency, and far too often we see companies waste money on ineffective video content because they’ve just been told they “need video.” Put in place the correct strategy for your needs, targeting the correct audience with the right message. And if video is the way to go, create beautiful and engaging content that inspires people to take action. But strategy first.”</em></p>
<p><em> </em></p>
<p>I’ve always believed in a “strategy first” approach to all marketing, not just video. You can save yourself so much time and money by “starting with the end in mind,” and understanding what content you need, as Brian Chin mentions. Also, by understanding the technologies that are available to you to help maximize your efforts. It’s not simply about taking video. Shooting videos is great, and it is something that data shows every dealership needs to be doing. However, videos need to be seen by the right audience at the right time to maximize their true value.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here are three simple points to consider that can help your dealership when creating a highly effective video marketing STRATEGY:</p>
<p> </p>
<ol>
<li><strong>How and where are you using that video?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p>Before making any video, it helps to know exactly how you plan to use it. Ask yourself the following questions: “Is the purpose of this video to inspire an emotional response and increase engagement on a social media campaign? If so, where else would it have that same emotional value? Should it also be displayed with a specific Make or Model (or even a specific vehicle) on my VDPs?” “Is it to build trust with high, mid, or low funnel shoppers? If so, what are the touchpoints where I know my shoppers will be throughout the buying cycle and how do I make sure that all of my shoppers are presented with this video content (without them having to look for it.) "Am I trying to increase recommended service repairs?” Having solid answers to the question “how and where” is a great way to start formulating a strategy.</p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong>What outcome do you desire for each video?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p>Once you’ve determined the purpose, now ask yourself what outcome you want from each specific video. Is the video designed to increase sales? Is it to increase conversion from an ad and drive more traffic to your website or landing page? Get leads to engage with your BDC or sales team? Brand your store? There are a lot of outcomes you might expect from a video marketing strategy. But, you have to know what to expect and how to make certain that your video content is presented to your shoppers strategically before you can measure it.</p>
<p> </p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong>How can you use data to improve the effectiveness of each video?</strong></li>
</ol>
<p> </p>
<p>Many video platforms only show rudimentary data such as views or likes, but fail to provide valuable information about the HOW, WHO, or WHEN. And that is what is needed to make your video marketing actionable.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Everybody gets excited about having thousands of video views. Of course, if it a branding video and that was the purpose and desired outcome, that’s great! But sometimes it is just that one view that turns a video into a sale. The point is that it’s not just data, but detailed and actionable data that matters.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you make a video specifically for Mr. or Mrs. Smith, knowing that they watched it, when they watched it, and how many times it was viewed, and being able to see what OTHER videos they watched is invaluable information for creating a correctly targeted sales strategy. Having this valuable data allows you to get the right video in front of the right shopper at the right time of the buying cycle, while also allowing you to know the exact second that one of your leads or customers is live on a touchpoint and watching one of your videos. This provides you the most strategic opportunity to reach out to them with a follow-up call.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Make sure you use a platform that allows you to capture that data and archive it in case Mr. and Mrs. Smith are not ready to buy NOW. Then you are prepared for them when they are.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>These are just a few quick tips designed to show you some of the basics of how to start to incorporate a strategy into your video marketing efforts. Having videos is great but, as Mr. Chin said: Strategy first.</p>Video: The Content that Rules them All!tag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-04-23:5283893:BlogPost:13624322021-04-23T12:00:00.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8826821293?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8826821293?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> According to a <a href="https://martechseries.com/video/consumers-watched-more-than-23000-years-worth-of-videos-in-2020-per-wistias-state-of-video-report/?fbclid=IwAR2vj1bH3h8Yqs98xrioZBdXwNGuej5LGctdxJp7V1hlusJZA67RRcIxHRg">recent study</a> published by Wistia, consumers watched more than 23,000 YEARS of video in 2020 alone. This means more video was watched…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8826821293?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8826821293?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>According to a <a href="https://martechseries.com/video/consumers-watched-more-than-23000-years-worth-of-videos-in-2020-per-wistias-state-of-video-report/?fbclid=IwAR2vj1bH3h8Yqs98xrioZBdXwNGuej5LGctdxJp7V1hlusJZA67RRcIxHRg">recent study</a> published by Wistia, consumers watched more than 23,000 YEARS of video in 2020 alone. This means more video was watched last year than the <a href="https://www.universetoday.com/38125/how-long-have-humans-been-on-earth/">entire history</a> of modern civilization! And it’s almost certain to continue to break records. Why? Because video transfers more information to a consumer in the least amount of time, while also creating the greatest amount of emotion when compared to any other visual medium.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps even more interesting is HOW consumers are watching video content. According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/04/06/mobile-only-its-time-to-shift-your-marketing-strategy/">an article</a> in Forbes, about 72% of consumers watch video content solely on their smartphones. More so than on a movie screen, their desktop, or anywhere else. New video apps and features are infiltrating the current market offering an increasing number of ways for consumers to view this content. Even Pinterest, which has historically been a single image-only site, has started to <a href="https://help.pinterest.com/en/business/article/video-pins">adopt video</a> into its platform. This is why your dealership must understand that video isn't just the future, it is the NOW.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Every industry has either begun the transfer to video or is fully engulfed in it, and the automotive industry is no different. Moving forward, high-quality and innovative video experiences on your dealership websites and in the different stages of the buying cycle will set your dealership apart from the rest when it comes to building relationships with shoppers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Why do you think that nearly every business is scrambling to include video in their marketing strategy? Because it works, and the data is there to back it up!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Entrepreneur magazine recently featured <a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/368244?fbclid=IwAR3E0Y-xfPIt2OeIDKvvdESjgK-PjwEt8IWdtl5uxHNYUnmj18a-__NrdMA">an article</a> stating that consumers want to, “See, Watch and Buy. In that Order.” How does this apply to your dealership website? When a consumer lands on your SRP or VDP, they are “seeing” your inventory. The next step is to “watch” the vehicle via a video. Whether that is a stitched photo video, a live video walkaround, or an interactive 360 spin, video content engages viewers and saves them from clicking through uninteresting photos and from having to read a large amount of text.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Consumers want to feel empowered to gain as much information about a vehicle as possible, as quickly as possible. Why has the test drive and product demonstration been a part of the basic steps to selling a car for decades? Because it works! And now, the technology exists to accomplish the same thing online.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The point is to make content consumers like, while also making that content in the form consumers want to consume. Then make it even better! Watching a video of a vehicle is great, but if you personalize that content and make it resonate with the customer in front of you, then you can move them further down the funnel.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It also helps to have trackable data you can use for your marketing. Use personalized videos on platforms that provide useful marketing data, and which integrate with your CRM for ease of follow-up. “Easy” doesn’t have to mean that quality suffers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Make it easy to create videos that consumers desire, that they can view on their mobile phones, with data that integrates into your CRM so you can follow up with them appropriately. This will help turn your dealership into a marketing powerhouse that rules over any competition!</p>Build Your F&I Revenue Through Videotag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-03-26:5283893:BlogPost:13615962021-03-26T14:47:02.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8719163492?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8719163492?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Dealers are increasingly adopting video in order to engage customers and win sales. Well, how about adopting this strategy in the F&I department as well?</p>
<p>As front-end margins decrease, many dealerships are placing more emphasis on F&I to make revenue. With digital retailing on the rise and customers shopping from home rather than in the…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8719163492?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8719163492?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Dealers are increasingly adopting video in order to engage customers and win sales. Well, how about adopting this strategy in the F&I department as well?</p>
<p>As front-end margins decrease, many dealerships are placing more emphasis on F&I to make revenue. With digital retailing on the rise and customers shopping from home rather than in the showroom, how does a finance department sell F&I products in the absence of the dealer?</p>
<p>Going under the assumption that home delivery means that the entire deal has already been done as the paperwork must be printed in advance, dealerships are probably finding it difficult to present finance products in the most convincing way.</p>
<p>And that is where video comes in.</p>
<p>Most companies that offer various F&I products have product videos available for your use. The first step to increasing your F&I profit is to package these videos along with your dealership’s value proposition (Why Buy) videos, testimonial videos, and other finance FAQ videos on your website where they are easy for the consumer to find. Consumers know these “upsell” product offers are coming. Provide them with the opportunity to educate themselves on the various products higher in the buying cycle. </p>
<p>The next step is to strategically re-introduce these videos to the consumer as they continue through the buying cycle. After you have used “video messages” when following up with inquiries (leads) and setting appointments, include these F&I videos in the “video experience” that you send to your leads to confirm appointments.</p>
<p>This provides the shopper with another opportunity to view the various F&I videos, and, with the right software, you can enjoy real-time reporting on the exact video content they view. When your shopper shows up for their appointment, you have insight into all the F&I videos they have watched (or haven’t watched). You know if they watched videos about purchasing with bad credit, lease vs. purchase, the impact of a divorce or bankruptcy, and all the extended warranty and other F&I product videos that you offer. Armed with this information, your team can provide a significantly better experience for each consumer, while helping them with any questions they may be afraid to ask. Both your profits and CSI Scores go up. </p>
<p>For the best results, I would suggest having the finance manager make multiple videos of products on an individual basis. This personalization will increase the informational and emotional value of your videos and reward you with an even larger success ratio.</p>
<p>For example, your finance manager could create a video explaining why paint & fabric protection is a worthwhile investment for the consumer. Then another video explaining wheel and tire protection. Then continue to create short videos “selling” products as if the customer is sitting right in front of them. In addition, you could also create a short video with the finance manager summarizing all of the finance products.</p>
<p>Regardless of if you use stock product videos, or your own personalized videos, be certain to include some testimonial videos for each product. Consumers constantly hear how they don’t need the various “upsell” products. Let them hear a few success stories from other consumers who found the product valuable. </p>
<p>As the finance manager is the correct person to explain and adjust payments based on product and accessory choices, it is important for them to have that engagement and to have these product videos handy should the customer prefer to do everything online. The finance manager can then engage the customer with video via email or even live over a “one-click” video call, whatever the customer’s communication preference may be, while the vehicle paperwork is being created and sent to the customer.</p>
<p>Video can be used in every department to increase brand loyalty, vehicle sales, F&I product sales and service revenue. It is a highly effective tool that should be added to your marketing toolbox. However, to truly maximize the benefit of your videos, utilize your video content across multiple touchpoints as an end-to-end video marketing strategy that combines video content with video data. Then you will realize the true value of video.</p>Flick Fusion Adds New Features to StreaMe Live Video Calling Applicationtag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-03-23:5283893:BlogPost:13614792021-03-23T15:42:57.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><em>Personal URL Links and Conferencing Features are Designed to Boost Customer Response Rates and Close More Sales</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—March 23, 2021—</strong>Two new features in Flick Fusion’s StreaMe live video calling application are designed to boost customer response rates, increase the number of customer conversations and make it easier for sales and service teams to close more sales.</p>
<p> …</p>
<p><em>Personal URL Links and Conferencing Features are Designed to Boost Customer Response Rates and Close More Sales</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—March 23, 2021—</strong>Two new features in Flick Fusion’s StreaMe live video calling application are designed to boost customer response rates, increase the number of customer conversations and make it easier for sales and service teams to close more sales.</p>
<p> <a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8696772268?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8696772268?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="350" class="align-right" style="padding: 2px;"/></a></p>
<p>“StreaMe is quickly becoming the auto industry’s preferred app for video calls, because it utilizes WebRTC technology that enables any person on any device to instantly connect live with dealership employees,” said Tim James, COO of FlickFusion. “Based on customer feedback, we’ve added these new features to further enhance the app’s ability to engage and connect with more customers.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With StreaMe, a car shopper can easily initiate a <a href="https://media.flickfusion.net/NLP/?e=0B007701-3662-EB2E-617D-82F0CC21C2FB">live video call</a> right from the dealer’s website or Vehicles Details Pages (VDPs), simply by clicking on an embedded video call button. The customer is instantly connected with a dealership team member in a round robin system, regardless of the device or platform the customer is calling on, and no special apps or downloads are required.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The first new feature in StreaMe allows dealership employees to text or email customers a personal URL link that can be used to initiate a live video call with the employee who sent the link. When the customer clicks on the URL link, a one-way video call is instantly established, where the customer can see and hear the employee but the employee can only hear the customer. If the customer desires a two-way call, they can easily activate their camera so that both parties are live streaming their video. The ability to text and email customers a personal URL link increases response rates while ensuring your sales and service staff that their customers and leads won’t engage with someone else at the dealership who isn’t familiar with them. The personal URL also allows for more detailed tracking of each individual who has been sent the link. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The second new feature in StreaMe is a conferencing feature that allows dealership employees to add a third person to an active video call. This feature will be helpful in many cases when additional expertise or an approval is needed. For example, let’s say a customer video calls a salesperson and asks for a video vehicle walkaround. After the vehicle walkaround is finished, the customer asks for a trade-in appraisal. The salesperson can instantly add the used car manager to the video call while the customer does a vehicle walkaround on their own vehicle, so an estimate can immediately be provided.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>In the service department, when an advisor sends a service recommendation to a customer, that customer often has questions or needs visual proof to feel comfortable approving the repair. With StreaMe’s new features, the service advisor can first text the customer a URL link and ask them to establish a live video call at their convenience. When the customer calls, the service advisor can add the technician to the call to explain the repair or show the worn part, thus increasing service recommendation approvals.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“I predict the conferencing feature will be the greatest feature you’ll never use,” said James. “I know that sounds strange, but the main reason most additional repairs aren’t authorized is that the consumer doesn’t understand what the repair is or why it is needed. They think you are just trying to squeeze some extra money out them. Offering the consumer the opportunity to Live Stream with their mechanic first hand, see why the repair is needed, and ask any questions that they have demonstrates complete trust and transparency. In many cases the service customer will just go ahead and authorize the additional repairs without taking you up on your offer to Live Stream, just because your team has the confidence to offer the customer this level of visibility. That is why it’s the greatest feature you’ll never use.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Additionally, with CRM integration, all StreaMe video calls can be captured and stored in a dealership’s CRM, eliminating any "he said, she said" scenarios, and providing sales and training managers with access to every video call exchange.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To see a short demo of StreaMe, <a href="https://media.flickfusion.net/NLP/?e=0B007701-3662-EB2E-617D-82F0CC21C2FB">click here</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To learn more, contact sales@flickfusion.com or call <a>515-333-4337</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickfusion.com"><strong>About FlickFusion</strong></a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>FlickFusion offers a full-solution video hosting, marketing and distribution platform to automotive and other inventory-based industries. The platform delivers automated, integrated and rule/behavior-based, including geo-targeted, video content in real-time, across multiple touchpoints and throughout the entire purchase cycle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion makes it easy for dealers to create desktop and mobile-friendly vehicle inventory videos, video email and customer engagement videos such as testimonials, service department overviews and more. Videos are proven to capture more buyers' attention, advance organic SEO rankings, generate leads and increase conversion rates. The FlickFusion system builds emotional value and customer loyalty for more than 3,500 brands and preferred partners.</p>Keeping with the Times is Essential in Video Marketingtag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-03-12:5283893:BlogPost:13616102021-03-12T15:37:50.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8659749855?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8659749855?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Video marketing in the automotive industry is very dynamic, which makes it essential to keep your videos relevant and sensitive to your market.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>During this pandemic, video has proven to be a tremendous tool for communicating with customers and potential customers, helping to gain their trust and create more impact in every stage of the sales…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8659749855?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8659749855?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Video marketing in the automotive industry is very dynamic, which makes it essential to keep your videos relevant and sensitive to your market.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>During this pandemic, video has proven to be a tremendous tool for communicating with customers and potential customers, helping to gain their trust and create more impact in every stage of the sales funnel.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here are a few video strategies that I have found to be successful in many dealerships. They are simple, produce great results, and best of all, take little effort on the part of your dealership.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Service</strong> – Most dealerships have processes in place to sanitize their customers’ vehicles after repairs and/or maintenance are completed. Consider making a video illustrating the steps from start to finish so customers can actually SEE what you are doing, rather than try to find it in print.</p>
<p><br/> Does your service department offer vehicle pickup and delivery? Show your customers! Make a video showing a driver picking up the vehicle and then returning it. If there is a loaner car involved, show not only the actual process as it happens but also the customer’s vehicle (and loaner) being sanitized, all the way up to returning the serviced vehicle to the customer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Do you offer touchless payment options? Can the customer pay online before coming into the store? Be sure to include those features in your video to make your dealership stand out from the competition.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Sales</strong> – Most states currently allow dealerships to present and sell cars to customers both online and in store. If a customer wants to come in and kick tires, test drive or make the transaction in person, make a video illustrating what they should expect, along with the safety precautions that your dealerships take for this type of sale. This can easily be done using a salesperson along with another dealership employee acting as the customer. In this way, your dealership will not need to get permission from customers to be filmed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If your dealership offers to deliver vehicles to the customer's location for a test drive and delivery of the purchased vehicle, make a video illustrating this process from start to finish. This can help build trust both before and after the transaction.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I see a lot of dealerships starting to shoot great content like I’ve mentioned, but then only post their videos on YouTube or Facebook. Video is an incredibly valuable tool, but to truly maximize your ROI you must have a strategy that gets your videos in front of your audience at the right time of the buying cycle (where it will have the biggest impact). The best way to make it work is to present the videos where your customers will see them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Your video experience should live on your website, and it should be as easy as possible for a shopper to find. Put your videos in the places where you know your site visitors will be looking since buyers won’t go out of their way during the buying cycle to view your content. To capitalize on the impact video can bring use these videos in a variety of ways:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Put value proposition & testimonial videos on the same page as inventory videos so consumers get to see not only how great your inventory is, but how great it would be to do business with you. The majority of consumers are looking for a dealership that they can trust, every bit as much as they are a vehicle to purchase. Don’t make them search your site to learn why you are that dealership, put it in front of them where you know they will be looking.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Send video emails with a landing page featuring a vehicle a customer is interested in, while also giving them the option to watch several other videos that feature your inventory, value proposition & testimonials videos. Even include your personal introduction videos, all without having to leave the page.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li>Build a trust relationship between your sales team and customers by having them send picture-in-picture videos of a vehicle a customer showed interest in, explaining the vehicle in more detail, and letting the customer know that your salesperson is a trusted resource throughout their buying process. Be sure to include this video content on the landing page experience that I just mentioned. The possibilities are endless when you utilize video to give your consumers the best experience possible.</li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>We are currently living in an interesting time. People have many different viewpoints when it comes to the pandemic. The most important thing is to put your videos where your customers will see them, showing your customers (as well as potential customers) that you care, are trustworthy, and that your dealership is a place where they can feel safe and comfortable. These emotions are what will make a consumer choose you over the competition, and keep your current customers coming back again and again. The single most effective way to build these feelings and connections? Video. </p>FlickFusion Releases Chrome Extension, Making it Easy for Dealers to Send Links to Video Landing Pagestag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-03-10:5283893:BlogPost:13612002021-03-10T14:57:28.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—March 10, 2021—</strong> <a href="https://flickfusion.com/">FlickFusion</a> has released a Chrome extension for Google Chrome that provides a place for dealers to store and access links to video landing pages. The Chrome extension makes it easy for dealers to send customers links to video landing pages, simply by copying and pasting the URL or HTML links into emails, chat boxes or text messages.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“The process of sending a video or link to a video landing…</p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—March 10, 2021—</strong> <a href="https://flickfusion.com/">FlickFusion</a> has released a Chrome extension for Google Chrome that provides a place for dealers to store and access links to video landing pages. The Chrome extension makes it easy for dealers to send customers links to video landing pages, simply by copying and pasting the URL or HTML links into emails, chat boxes or text messages.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“The process of sending a video or link to a video landing page through a CRM can be cumbersome and involve several steps, depending on the CRM,” said Tim James, COO of FlickFusion. “Our Chrome extension allows anyone in the dealership to instantly access their library of videos that may feature personalized lead follow up videos, inventory videos, value proposition videos, model review videos, <a href="https://flickfusion.com/dynamic-marketing-video-platform/">monthly promotional videos</a>, testimonial and other types of videos.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Once the Chrome extension is downloaded and installed, all a user has to do is sign in with their dealership’s FlickFusion credentials. Clicking on the extension opens up a library of each user’s stored videos. The extension is designed so that salespeople, service employees and BDC staff can easily search for, find and clip a descriptive video thumbnail to their video, which will display on their designated video landing page when engaged.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sharing videos with customers during the sales and service process is an effective way to increase lead engagement and response rates, but not all CRMs make the process easy. Often, videos are made for different purposes and hosted in different places. This makes it time consuming for the staff to search for the right video, and provides an inconsistent experience for both the salesperson and the consumer based on the device (mobile or desktop) and delivery method (email or text). Some CRMs even require the use of YouTube URL links, which not only makes it impossible to send video landing pages to customers, but delivers the consumer to YouTube where they may find similar video content from the dealership’s competitors.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The value of utilizing video landing pages is that this allows dealerships to feature several videos on the same page, along with their dealership branding, calls to action and a lead form. Landing pages encourage prospects to view more videos without having to search for them. This allows the salesperson to include personal introduction videos, <a href="https://flickfusion.com/value-prop-testimonial-page/">value proposition</a>, and even testimonial videos all in the same presentation. This builds significantly more trust higher in the buying cycle, and increases lead conversion rates.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“Videos are a powerful engagement tool but they are underutilized in customer communications, simply because it’s too difficult and time consuming to send a video,” said James. “This Chrome extension allows users to instantly find and drop any video thumbnail into a chat conversation, text message or email.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>To learn more, contact sales@flickfusion.com or call <a>515-333-4337</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickfusion.com"><strong>About</strong></a> <span><strong>FlickFusion</strong></span></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>FlickFusion offers a full-solution video hosting, marketing and distribution platform to automotive and other inventory-based industries. The platform delivers automated, integrated and rule/behavior-based, including geo-targeted, video content in real-time, across multiple touchpoints and throughout the entire purchase cycle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>FlickFusion makes it easy for dealers to create desktop and mobile-friendly vehicle inventory videos, video email and customer engagement videos such as testimonials, service department overviews and more. Videos are proven to capture more buyers' attention, advance organic SEO rankings, generate leads and increase conversion rates. The FlickFusion system builds emotional value and customer loyalty for more than 3,500 brands and preferred partners.</p>8 Quick & Easy Video Email Marketing Best Practices to Boost your Resultstag:www.dealerelite.net,2021-02-02:5283893:BlogPost:13586192021-02-02T16:30:00.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8506958054?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8506958054?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Most consumers have a built-in fear of communicating with automotive sales professionals. Many of the "new age" automotive retailers are trying to play on this fear by running negative ads that make automotive dealerships (and sales professionals) look like high-pressure evil people.</p>
<p>When a consumer does finally reach out to your dealership, using…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8506958054?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8506958054?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Most consumers have a built-in fear of communicating with automotive sales professionals. Many of the "new age" automotive retailers are trying to play on this fear by running negative ads that make automotive dealerships (and sales professionals) look like high-pressure evil people.</p>
<p>When a consumer does finally reach out to your dealership, using video content in your initial communications can be your opportunity to show them that they will have a GREAT experience working with you and your dealership. People buy from people they like, and video is the best way to show your potential customers why they should like you. It can be one of the most effective ways to humanize your dealership and establish trust with shoppers. </p>
<p>Here are some quick tips for making the most of your video email campaigns that will increase your click-through and response rates.</p>
<p><strong>1. Include the Word “Video” in the Subject Line & Avoid SPAM “</strong><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/30684/the-ultimate-list-of-email-spam-trigger-words.aspx"><strong>Trigger</strong></a> <strong>Words.”</strong></p>
<p>The simple act of <a href="https://www.martechcube.com/video-marketing-statistics-2020-the-hottest-martech-trends/">adding “video” to an email subject line</a> can increase open rates by 7% and can improve your click-through rate by 96%. Put it in brackets [VIDEO] at the end or beginning of your subject line to make it clear to your audience. People are more curious to see what is inside your email when it includes video and perceive the information displayed in the video to be more valuable.</p>
<p>In addition, the word “video” can help you avoid SPAM filters, which can be triggered for a variety of reasons, causing your email to skip recipients' inboxes and land straight in their SPAM box. By avoiding trigger words in your email subject lines, you can dramatically increase your chances of getting beyond SPAM filters.</p>
<p><strong>2. Link to the Video (or video landing page)</strong></p>
<p>Unfortunately, some email providers have not started using the latest technology and this can play a significant role when you select a provider. As several email clients cannot play embedded videos, it can be better to provide a link to your video or landing page, rather than embedding it in your email.</p>
<p><strong>3. Place Video Below the Email Message</strong></p>
<p>Adding videos into your email will boost open rates but don’t let the video distract from your main message. An engaged audience will drop what they’re doing to watch a new video, so be sure to add it at the end of the email. By so doing, consumers will read your brief message before watching the video. Keep the text message above the video brief, as the main focus of the email should be the video.</p>
<p><strong>4.</strong> <strong>Do not Send an Image Only Email</strong></p>
<p>Do not send an image only email, and do not say too much in your email either. Video emails that keep it short and to the point with a word count of 50 words or <strong>less </strong>receive up to a 52% higher response rate than the same video sent with a long wordy message.</p>
<p><strong>5. Include a Call to Action</strong></p>
<p>All forms of digital marketing should invite the audience to do something specific, especially when it comes to an unsolicited email or text. Make sure your videos in your emails offer value for the customer and include that critical CTA. The whole point of any message sent to a consumer is to lead them on the path that you want them to follow. Make sure the CTA is easy to understand and clearly directs them. Then ensure you take them where you promised.</p>
<p><strong>6. Be Professional.</strong></p>
<p>Include some basic best practices when taking your video. Have good lighting and a clean and pleasant space to stage your video. It is best to turn your phone to the side and capture the video in landscape mode. And be friendly and enthusiastic in the video (Smile).</p>
<p><strong>7. Have a Variety of Video Content On Your Landing Page.</strong></p>
<p>Now that the consumer has engaged with your email to watch your video message, this is the perfect opportunity for you to provide them with easy access to additional video content that really shows them that “YOU are the good guys,” and they can trust you. Rather than making the consumer search for “where should I buy it” content later in the buying cycle, present it to them now. Move the consumer along in YOUR buying cycle by including Value Proposition, Testimonial, a Personal Introduction, additional Inventory, Promotional, and New Model Test Drive videos on the same landing page as your initial video message. Let the shopper know that they can LIKE and TRUST both you and your dealership before they’ve even decided which vehicle they want to purchase.</p>
<p><strong>8. Leverage The Shopper’s Data</strong></p>
<p>A large number of consumers can disappear after your initial contact with them. How many times have you wondered what happened to that person that you just spoke to (who isn’t calling you back or answering your emails now)? Using a hosting company for your videos that offers detailed insights and data can make it easier to track your video success rates while allowing you to track the actions consumers take. Also, using the right video host can allow you to receive real-time notifications when your other video content (such as your inventory videos) are viewed by these same consumers. This gives you greater insight into which of your leads are still in the market and actively shopping on your website (or the popular marketplaces like AutoTrader, Cars.com, etc.), and provides you with a notification the second that they click to watch your inventory videos on these touch-points, allowing you to follow up with them at the most relevant time.</p>
<p>Video in email is no longer some gimmick. C<a href="https://www.oberlo.com/blog/video-marketing-statistics">onsumers consistently sta</a><span>te</span> that video is their preference. Video has fast become a key factor in running more effective email campaigns. Adding video will breathe new life into your email marketing and is an engaging way to bring compelling content to shoppers, resulting in more appointments for your BDC and sales teams, more up-sell of recommended services for your service department, and higher CSI Scores across your entire store.</p>Who You Gonna Video Call?tag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-12-29:5283893:BlogPost:13574762020-12-29T15:37:15.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8361084689?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8361084689?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380"></img></a> According to Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, the “<a href="https://news.stanford.edu/2020/06/29/snapshot-new-working-home-economy/">working-from-home</a>” economy is likely to exist far beyond the pandemic. Employers are enjoying decreased expense in office space and increased employee productivity, while employees have more freedom with the luxury of no…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8361084689?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8361084689?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380" class="align-right"/></a>According to Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom, the “<a href="https://news.stanford.edu/2020/06/29/snapshot-new-working-home-economy/">working-from-home</a>” economy is likely to exist far beyond the pandemic. Employers are enjoying decreased expense in office space and increased employee productivity, while employees have more freedom with the luxury of no longer having to commute. A whopping 42 percent of U.S. employees are now working from home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How are they able to do that? Via Video, of course.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Statistics increasingly show video as the preferred choice for consumers when it comes to media due to its viability and multiple benefits across all platforms and channels. And, during the pandemic, video has become the most used method of communication on all fronts.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Almost every company outside of essential workers is utilizing video services to efficiently continue their operations and stay in business. Video conference calls have become the norm, rather than the exception and video conferences or person-to-person video calls have exploded out of necessity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>According to Forbes, this <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/henrydevries/2020/12/16/seven-digital-marketing-trends-for-2021/?sh=76dbdd66d56d">digital pivot</a> may become permanent – in all walks of life. Many students are having to do in-home learning and the only way some employees can continue professional development is via video. Trade shows and conferences are opting to hold virtual events First, because it is safer during a pandemic, second because it is much less expensive than in-person events, and third because viewers can choose to watch an event live, or later at a more convenient time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Video is not going away and is certainly not losing any ground. Its popularity has exploded faster than was expected! When this pandemic eventually goes away, consumers and businesses alike will be fundamentally transformed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As a marketing and sales tool, video will allow your team to inspire more emotion from a consumer than a text, email, or chat could ever get close to accomplishing. Think about this -- when are your sales associates at their best? When they are face-to-face with a consumer, of course. An effective video marketing strategy embraces that understanding and puts your sales associates face-to-face with the consumer, even when the consumer is still at home.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Your dealership would be wise to have a video-first marketing strategy to place you in a position of dominance over your competition who may only use video as a stopgap out of necessity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Be sure to embrace video now more than ever to take advantage of this extreme acceleration in video adoption by consumers. This will put your dealership ahead of the game and build a sound foundation from which your dealership will benefit for decades to come.</p>Three Tips for Great Live Video Conversations with Customerstag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-10-19:5283893:BlogPost:13570432020-10-19T15:30:44.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8051408279?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8051408279?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380"></img></a> During these times, consumers are becoming more comfortable with online transactions and are much savvier about how they chose to communicate with businesses. As a result, dealers are having to utilize technologies they may not have previously embraced</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Video, in and of itself, has proven to be a necessity for successful marketing for dealers.…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8051408279?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/8051408279?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380" class="align-right"/></a>During these times, consumers are becoming more comfortable with online transactions and are much savvier about how they chose to communicate with businesses. As a result, dealers are having to utilize technologies they may not have previously embraced</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Video, in and of itself, has proven to be a necessity for successful marketing for dealers. In today’s world, live video is even more important. But not everybody does it as well as they could!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="https://www.business2community.com/sales-management/3-ways-to-improve-interaction-on-virtual-sales-calls-02351009?fbclid=IwAR1EejYn1R2NJh2G2ihRp8z2SK32jyFcTGbVnsGvFvid9Esh6EvOiLY8ON4">A great article</a> on Business2Community lays out some simple best practices dealerships can use while performing a live video for a prospective car buyer. These tips are great for salespeople or BDC agents who communicate with your customers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here are three of the top tips:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Pause!</strong> - When you are having a conversation with someone and they do all the talking – that quickly gets old, right? A one-sided conversation is not something many people enjoy which leads to the first tip in the article, Pause!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You have the customer’s attention. You have them on a live stream and, just like selling a car in person, you need to listen to their needs and wants. You have to listen to tailor that walkaround and your conversation to supply the information they requested. Listening is also how you find out what is important to them so that you can tailor your conversation to that specific customer.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It is much more effective to listen to your customers, answer their questions, and proceed to the sale than to dominate the conversation. Take a breath. Don’t worry about the uncomfortable pause. As long as the customer is still with you, you don’t need to fill the gap with conversation. They may be digesting what you have already told them and considering their next questions. If they don’t ask any questions, you can easily prompt them by saying something along the lines of, “Should I proceed with the other features I was going to show you or did you have specific things you would like to see?” -- just like you would if they were physically on your lot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Engage</strong> – The customer didn't agree to a live video engagement because they weren't interested in the vehicle. The very reason that they are on a live video call with you is that they are VERY low funnel and in the market RIGHT NOW! Think about all the Internet leads your dealership gets and how hard it is to contact the majority of these opportunities. Here you not only have a customer that engaged with you but one that agreed (or requested) to do a live video call about a specific vehicle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Perhaps something about the vehicle which they inquired about doesn’t suit their needs. Since you have them live, you can easily ask them if you could show them similar vehicles you have in stock and, essentially, show them multiple vehicles.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>What’s the other option? The customer doesn’t like the one you showed them and disengages simply to move on to the next dealership. Don’t waste the opportunity to show them more inventory. You only need to ask them -- just like you would if they were physically on your lot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Eye Contact</strong> – While you may not be able to see the customer, the customer can see you. If you aren’t looking into the camera while engaging, you lose the opportunity to build rapport. Most of our communication is physical. We typically read expressions and interpret answers by how someone is looking and/or physically gesturing. In a live video, the customer can see you. By making eye contact with them, it is much more personal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>How do you do that? By looking into the camera, itself. Not just at the phone. You can practice with another salesperson beforehand to get the hang of it. When you are talking to the customer, look directly into the camera. To them, it will seem as if you are talking to them rather than seeing your eyes focused elsewhere. -- just like you would if they were physically on your lot.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Bonus Tip:</strong></p>
<p>Smile – There’s magic in your smile and smiling while engaging in a video call can be one of the most important strategies for success. Smiling while on the video call will not only help you relax and improve your mood and energy, it will also help the consumer relax. Remember, it’s not only “what you say,” but “how you say it” that matters. The video call is your opportunity to build a personal relationship with the consumer and get them to truly like you. We all know that people buy from people they like, and a simple smile while engaging the consumer is scientifically proven to improve your chances of being liked -- just like you would if they were physically on your lot. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Live video has never been more important in the sales world. Buying a car is a big decision for most customers, typically the second-largest purchase any consumer makes. Regardless of whether you are open for business completely, or only online, consumers are getting more comfortable with online shopping. If you are a veteran in the automotive industry, think about how different your communication strategy was in 2010 versus 2020. Now imagine how different it will be in 2030. Trust me, the next ten years are going to fly by, so make sure you stay ahead of the competition and are prepared for the acceleration and adoption of this technology by consumers. Great conversations certainly lead to more sales. And live video is a highly effective way to have great conversations with your customers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Live Video, The New Normal to Sell More Cars & Servicetag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-09-18:5283893:BlogPost:13533022020-09-18T14:38:15.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7941012063?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7941012063?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380"></img></a> Every penny spent on advertising and marketing is to get more people into the dealership. Dealers also make a significant investment in the salespeople themselves, training them to help develop the person-to-person skills needed to sell to all the prospects marketing dollars drive into the dealership. Those person-to-person skills are where most…</span></p>
<p><span><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7941012063?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7941012063?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380" class="align-right"/></a>Every penny spent on advertising and marketing is to get more people into the dealership. Dealers also make a significant investment in the salespeople themselves, training them to help develop the person-to-person skills needed to sell to all the prospects marketing dollars drive into the dealership. Those person-to-person skills are where most automotive salespeople excel, it is what they are best at. Phone calls, emails, text messages, or online chats may not be their biggest strengths. However, put them face to face with someone and they excel. But how are salespeople supposed to 'get them in' when countrywide shutdowns and capacity limits are encouraging shoppers to stay home as much as possible? The answer is video conferencing, also known as video calling or video chat.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p>It is a different world now – today doctors conduct many patient appointments via a live video conference. Many doctors are scheduling video appointments, our children are using video conferencing to go to school right now, and most of you reading this are utilizing video conferencing at your workplace to replace onsite meetings.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Live communication in this way is becoming the new normal– all kinds of shopping is accelerated to the next level via a live stream. Well, guess what, vehicles are no different. During the pandemic, and even before, dealers have been utilizing tools such as Zoom to engage with customers via live video and it is not hurting sales, in fact far from it, it is helping to sell more cars than ever before by making it easier to shop the way today’s customers want to. And it is a safe secure, method, for practically zero budget!</p>
<p></p>
<p><span>There is one thing that I know for sure and that is video sells. An unfortunate misconception is that vehicle details shared outside the dealership walls can demotivate shoppers from visiting a dealership. You cannot sell them a car if you don’t “get them in”, right? This misconception may prevent some dealers from realizing the full potential of video in nearly every department from sales to service to F&I. Selling a consumer is, was, and will always be about getting the consumer emotionally attached to The Dealership, The Sales Person, and The Car. The pandemic has pushed more shoppers than ever before into shopping online. COVID-19 certainly has motivated more dealers to incorporate video into their sales and service processes. Now, a way to trump your competition is to go one step further and embrace live video conferencing to inspire the emotional connection. </span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>In fact, the most immediate benefit of live video calls is that salespeople now have an opportunity to use those natural person-to-person sales skills they have spent their entire careers perfecting. Even the most technophobic salesperson can engage with the most cutting-edge technology utilizing live video calls. If they can answer a phone, they can answer and make a live video call. It really is that simple, it’s safe, and consumers love it!</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>It is easy to incorporate live video calls directly from your website. Think about how many website visitors you have every day and imagine being able to instantly engage with them on their terms. It is like having a live service or sales window on your website Today’s customers have grown used to being serviced on their terms, not yours. Also, your sales and business development staff can ‘cut to the chase’ and get into direct contact with customers, eliminating hours of back and forth via calls, texts, and emails.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Live video for a vehicle demo enables a salesperson to guide a consumer through the vehicle features and benefits in real-time, just as if the customer were standing right on the lot. With some platforms, the salesperson can text the customer a Personalized URL and all the customer has to do is click on the link to instantly be engaged in a live one-way or two-way video conference.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Live video calls can also compliment the post-sale delivery process as part of a cautious and contactless sale. The salesperson can simply go over the delivery walkthrough as they always have, but now they can do it through a live video call.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>The sales department isn't the only branch of a dealership that can boost profits with live video. A typical service department experience involves a customer dropping off a vehicle and waiting at the dealership or leaving and awaiting a call for a diagnosis.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>Using live video to discuss a vehicle diagnosis is a powerful way for service advisors to explain and demonstrate repairs while keeping the customer engaged during the decision-making process. Having a live video call with a customer after sending service recommendations increases acceptance rates and will quickly become your service advisor’s favorite tool. Live video can eliminate hours of annoying phone tag back and forth by the service department. The customer can also see the recommended service in real-time which reinforces the recommendation and can easily elicit a response of "yes," rather than "let me think about it," so that they can go and ask a friend, family member, or price shop the repair with an independent facility.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span>The F&I department can benefit too. The F&I Manager can advise the customer that they are recording the video call, record the full F&I presentation with all disclosures, and do the entire deal remotely. They can even send the entire recorded presentation to the customer.</span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p>Live video calls keep a customer fully engaged with you. Facetime did not gain it is huge popularity on Apple devices because consumers did not like it, but rather the contrary. By using live video at your dealership, you quickly build rapport and earn the customer’s trust. And that is how you increase revenue.</p>Patrick Lands His Dream Job with Videotag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-08-12:5283893:BlogPost:13508662020-08-12T21:10:09.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7434444260?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7434444260?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="250"></img></a> Are you searching for a new career opportunity, or do you know someone who is? One of the most challenging aspects of searching for a job is making yourself stand out in a crowd. When you apply for a job online, your resume could be one of hundreds for the same position. There’s no way to know whether the person screening all these resumes will forward your…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7434444260?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7434444260?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-right" width="250"/></a>Are you searching for a new career opportunity, or do you know someone who is? One of the most challenging aspects of searching for a job is making yourself stand out in a crowd. When you apply for a job online, your resume could be one of hundreds for the same position. There’s no way to know whether the person screening all these resumes will forward your resume to the hiring manager.</p>
<p>That’s why more job applicants are creating video resumes and sending them directly to the hiring manager. If you think about it, applying for a job is very similar to marketing cars! To be in consideration, you need to send the right video message to the right person at the right time, and make them realize why you’re the best choice.</p>
<p>I want to share a story with you about someone that recently landed his dream job with a video resume hosted on Flick Fusion’s video marketing platform.</p>
<p>A few months ago, I was invited onto the <a href="http://podcast.autoconverse.com/website" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Auto Converse</a> podcast to talk about video marketing. A young man named Patrick Block was also a guest on the show, and he told me that he was having trouble finding a job.</p>
<p>He had been laid off from his job at a vehicle software company in February (prior to the pandemic), when the company was acquired by Lyft. At first, Patrick wasn’t worried about finding a new job, since he had quite a bit of experience in the auto industry. But in early March a tornado destroyed many businesses in Nashville, where he lives. Shortly after that, businesses everywhere were shuttered due to COVID-19. All of a sudden, job prospects were dim.</p>
<p>Patrick sent resumes to dozens of companies but didn’t receive any interview requests. He struggled with finding ways to make his resume stand out from all other job seekers. A videographer friend suggested that he develop a video resume.</p>
<p>Patrick agreed to try it. He developed a short video resume, posted it on YouTube and emailed the link to some hiring managers. The problem was, he didn’t know whether the videos were actually getting through and being watched.</p>
<p>When Patrick told me this, I invited him to use Flick Fusion’s video marketing platform to host his video resume. Our platform sends the creator/sender of the video a notification every time someone watches their video. In addition, I recommended that Patrick develop more videos to include on his resume landing page; including recommendation videos and videos that answer common interview questions.</p>
<p>Patrick followed my advice and created a page that hosted several videos. Here is a link to that page <a href="https://bit.ly/311sKxY" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://bit.ly/311sKxY</a></p>
<p>Patrick’s dream job was a position as a sales consultant with Lexus of Nashville. He believed that a high-line dealership was well-suited to his personality, and that car sales rewards hard work more than many sales positions in other industries. Patrick emailed the General Manager his newly enhanced video resume on our platform.</p>
<p>Shortly after he emailed the video resume, Patrick received a notification that the GM had viewed it. He was called in for an interview the very same day, and spent three hours at the dealership. While he was in an interview with a second hiring manager, Patrick received a notification that someone else in the dealership was viewing the video as well. It turned out it was the Internet Sales Manager, who then joined Patrick during his second interview, and raved about the video.</p>
<p>Shortly after this interview, Patrick was told that Lexus of Nashville was interested in hiring him, and he began the hiring process that included background checks, two more interviews and a drug test.</p>
<p>Patrick began working at Lexus of Nashville in July. Needless to say, Patrick is a huge believer in the power of video and he uses video in his new position to respond to leads and connect with active car buyers. When I asked him whether he thought his video resume was the reason he landed his dream job, Patrick claims it was 100%, absolutely the reason.</p>
<p>“I was nervous about using a Video platform during my job hunt. Flick Fusion was an awesome tool for me to use as it generated very professional emails, gave me visibility into how excited the recipients were, and allowed me to see myself presenting via the platform,” said Patrick. “Every person I shared this with was blown away at the idea of integrating video into the job hunt, especially during COVID. I was immediately separating myself out from the candidate pool with a small amount of extra effort. The impact it had landed me the job I had said I wanted for a long time. After what I’ve learned, I use video even more now in my job on a day to day basis.”</p>
<p>This story is just an example of how ubiquitous video is becoming in the auto industry; and I think it’s a good story of how a person used video to make themselves stand out in a really tough job market.</p>
<p>Your salespeople can easily use videos to make themselves stand out in the same way that Patrick does. When leads come in, have your sales team use pre-recorded videos, and/or live-streaming video calls, to connect with prospects. Video instantly captures and engages attention in a way that regular emails and phone calls simply can’t duplicate.</p>
<p>And if you’re ever searching for a new career opportunity, use a video resume to market yourself! You may land your dream job, just like Patrick.</p>Seeing is Believing!tag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-07-14:5283893:BlogPost:12764262020-07-14T13:39:03.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6872607653?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6872607653?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380"></img></a> Some dealers miss opportunities to gain acceptance of service recommendations or upsells simply because consumers do not know why they are needed or important. Many advisors share the “canned” description. However, if the customer is not right in front of you it can be hard for them to understand what you are going on about and so they decline the…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6872607653?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/6872607653?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380" class="align-right"/></a>Some dealers miss opportunities to gain acceptance of service recommendations or upsells simply because consumers do not know why they are needed or important. Many advisors share the “canned” description. However, if the customer is not right in front of you it can be hard for them to understand what you are going on about and so they decline the recommendations.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Well, there is an easy solution to better communicate with your customers so they can see why the recommendations are necessary. That solution is video.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Since COVID-19 arrived on the scene video communications have dramatically increased as a way to engage with customers. Think about how norms have changed. A majority of employees are still working at home using video platforms to communicate with colleagues, such as Zoom. And, in those states where the only way to sell a car is remotely, video is a great tool to help build that relationship and sell the car. Video has become a necessary item in any dealership’s arsenal for both sales and service.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When it comes to service recommendations, using either recorded or live video, you can easily show the customer the issue and clearly describe it to them. The customer can then see what the problem is and better understand why it needs to be repaired. Also, they will feel more confident about accepting those repairs and approve the recommendations. Recommended service acceptance rates can increase by as much as three times from an average of 20% to 40% and sometimes even as high as 60%. Recorded or live video recommendations can also help prevent your customers from shopping the competition and ending up at an independent shop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Use video technology to communicate with customers – whether that be now during the pandemic or afterward once it passes. You will see an uptick in service recommendations as well as increased customer loyalty and improved CSI scores.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Nobody knows how long we, as a nation, will be home bound. Some people say it will be months, some are saying years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>No matter how long it is, the results of video are timeless and well-proven. Communicating with your customers via video can help you weather this storm and help boost profitability.</p>Flick Fusion Adds 18 New VARs and 1,000+ Dealership Customers During COVID-19tag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-05-27:5283893:BlogPost:11400832020-05-27T14:32:29.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Auto dealers turn to video to stay in touch with customers & stay competitive in downturn</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—May 27, 2020—</strong> When social distancing guidelines went into effect, demand for video marketing and video communications solutions skyrocketed. In the two and a half months since businesses across the country were shuttered due to COVID-19, Flick Fusion has added 18 new customers to their network of value-added…</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Auto dealers turn to video to stay in touch with customers & stay competitive in downturn</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Urbandale, IA—May 27, 2020—</strong> When social distancing guidelines went into effect, demand for video marketing and video communications solutions skyrocketed. In the two and a half months since businesses across the country were shuttered due to COVID-19, Flick Fusion has added 18 new customers to their network of value-added resellers (VARs), which has collectively added more than 1,000 new automotive dealerships as customers who are now utilizing Flick Fusion’s <a href="https://flickfusion.com/smartflicks/">video marketing platform</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“The last couple of months have been extremely difficult on the automotive industry,” said Tim James, COO of Flick Fusion. “Dealerships are having to do a better job at merchandising their inventory and find a whole new way to communicate with consumers. Many dealers are incorporating virtual test drives and personalized video communications into their marketing strategies.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Video marketing for auto dealerships has evolved far beyond posting inventory videos on Vehicle Details Pages (VDPs). A comprehensive video marketing strategy uses video to communicate with customers at every stage of the car-buying process.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Many dealerships are experimenting with video strategies that help them stand out in a slow market, such as picture-in-picture videos and custom voiceover on virtual <a href="https://flickfusion.com/full-motion-walkaround-videos/">walkaround videos</a>. Additionally, dealers are using integrated <a href="https://flickfusion.com/video-calling-texting/">video calling</a> apps to conduct live-streaming video conversations with customers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Flick Fusion’s video marketing platform offers dealerships many unique and customizable features, such as easy-to-use mobile apps and multiple layers of CRM integration. Dealers can also receive real-time notifications whenever a consumer watches one of their videos, no matter which touchpoint that video is being viewed on; whether Autotrader, Cars.com, KBB, <strike>or</strike> Facebook, etc.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Real-time notifications provide dealerships with instant feedback on personal video messages and video campaign performance and in some cases can even be matched to a customer profile in the CRM, allowing salespeople to instantly identify and reach out to their lead, the person they send the video message to, while that person is still actively watching inventory videos on their website and/or third-party marketplaces. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>To learn more, contact sales@flickfusion.com or call <a>515-333-4337</a>.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickfusion.com"><strong>About Flick Fusion</strong></a></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p>Flick Fusion offers a full-solution video hosting, marketing and distribution platform to automotive and other inventory-based industries. The platform delivers automated, integrated and rule/behavior-based, including geo-targeted, video content in real-time, across multiple touchpoints and throughout the entire purchase cycle.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Flick Fusion makes it easy for dealers to create desktop and mobile-friendly vehicle inventory videos, video email and customer engagement videos such as testimonials, service department overviews and more. Videos are proven to capture more buyers' attention, advance organic SEO rankings, generate leads and increase conversion rates. The Flick Fusion system builds emotional value and customer loyalty for more than 7,000 automotive dealerships and preferred partners.</p>Why Face-to-Face Conversations are More Important than Evertag:www.dealerelite.net,2020-04-23:5283893:BlogPost:10333852020-04-23T15:29:35.000ZTimmy D. Jameshttps://www.dealerelite.net/profile/TimmyDJames
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4496443393?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-right" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4496443393?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380"></img></a> By nature, humans are social creatures. Need more proof? One of the worst punishments our legal system has come up with is solitary confinement. Not only is this dreaded by inmates, but it can also affect their mental health. Whether an introvert or an extrovert, we all crave personal interaction.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Like many of you, I am currently working from…</p>
<p><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4496443393?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/4496443393?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="380" class="align-right"/></a>By nature, humans are social creatures. Need more proof? One of the worst punishments our legal system has come up with is solitary confinement. Not only is this dreaded by inmates, but it can also affect their mental health. Whether an introvert or an extrovert, we all crave personal interaction.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Like many of you, I am currently working from home. And, at the end of one day last week I had an impromptu meeting with one of my customers. The meeting started on the phone but, after 15-20 minutes of the call, we decided to switch to a live-stream one-on-one video call. While we continued talking about the business matter, the conversation quickly changed into a personal chat. Just two people who have been working from home for many days now. While we both interact with people throughout the day, most interaction is via the phone or text. When we switched to the live-streaming video call, emotions changed into joy and excitement that we were having a personal, live, face-to-face interaction with an individual outside of our homes.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Even before this health crisis, people wanted to have live interaction. That's exactly why sales managers are renowned for telling salespeople to “Just get them in.” Of course, at the moment, we have a quandary. Many salespeople are out of work, CRMs are still spitting out the same messages and consumers are still shopping for vehicles… but nobody is answering them.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We’re dealing with a situation unlike anything seen since the measles or polio breakouts decades ago. The entire country is hunkered down, sitting at home with their families. And many are very bored. What do people do when they are bored? They tend to accomplish tasks they’ve been meaning to but have not yet found the time for. And guess what? This could very easily include researching a vehicle purchase. 33 states have either halted or limited vehicle sales forcing salespeople to stay at home. However, in many cases, their CRMs are still receiving leads. OEMs are offering aggressive incentives and interest rates are low. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Car sales are all about emotions. That’s why the standard has always been to get the customer to test drive, kick tires, breathe in that “new car” smell and take mental ownership. However, before any of that can happen, a salesperson or BDC agent needs to create rapport to get that specific customer to choose their dealership.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Customers currently don’t have the luxury of visiting the dealership. But you can approach that level of face-to-face contact with live video chat. It builds the rapport needed for the customer to decide who to buy from and what to buy. Your dealership can interact with these customers in a personal way while building that emotional relationship with the salesperson, the dealership AND the vehicle. And what do those interactions produce when doing this via live-streaming video calls? The same as it produced for me and my customer -- Joy and excitement. It helps move that customer down the line to the sale.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Many dealerships are experimenting with virtual test drives and video calling to provide that in-store face-to-face experience right now and having amazing success. But like all sales processes, it must be done right to have the most effective impact. Many of the popular video calling platforms out there require both users to install plugins or download the same apps to assure cross-platform and cross-operating system compatibility. These platforms are great for organized meetings, entertainment, or educational purposes. But when you need to engage a customer or a lead from your website, or for email/texting communications, the best video calling technology to utilize is one that allows a “one-click” audio and video communication to work inside web pages through direct peer-to-peer communication. This eliminates the necessity to install plugins or download apps and ensures an instant video connection; no matter what device or platform the customer or lead is utilizing. This could alter the entire experience completely and make the difference between a GREAT video experience, and no communication or experience at all (another lost lead). </p>
<p> </p>
<p>So, consider using live video chat to have that face-to-face interaction with your customers that is very much desired, especially right now. Combined with good storytelling through strategic vehicle and dealership marketing videos, it could easily slingshot your dealership into a consumer’s first choice. Not just in these times when it is even more crucial to communicate this way, but also when everything goes back to normal. And now is the time to start planning for the future. You don’t want your competition to beat you and take your customers away! Get that competitive edge and create those loyal customers now!</p>