http://www.ismintraining.com Strategy, Opinions and Insight Mon, 11 May 2009 15:26:54 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en IsmInTraininghttp://feedburner.google.com This year I have encountered a significant increase in the amount of companies fighting for the "new" advertising expense dollars of search engine optimization (seo) and search engine marketing (sem). Two years ago, even a year ago in some markets, it was unheard of for dealerships to spend monies on search ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/zDyfotONJas/ http://www.ismintraining.com/marketing/automotive-seo-marketing/seo-and-sem-checklist/ The automotive social networking space has a new entry.  Jeff Kershner over at DealerRefresh is adding a forum to his already popular blog.  This is a welcome addition to the already fragmented automotive social networking space. While forums and blogs are not true social networking spaces like some of the other ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/eweJ-mVtqXE/ http://www.ismintraining.com/the-biz/not-another-automotive-social-network/ The "Automotive SEO Exposition" held this year in Washington DC was a huge success.  Top level automotive seo practitioners from all over the country came together for two days of powerful round table style discussions. The topics discussed exceeded expectations and delved into a level of knowledge beyond that of basic ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/hSg9sz6i5FQ/ http://www.ismintraining.com/marketing/automotive-seo-marketing/automotive-seo-conference-wrap-up/ Some dealerships are redirecting the marketing spends while others are just holing up trying to survive.  One of the dealers I work with shared their strategy with me and it was what dealers in this tough market are doing today. We're a 50 car per month Chevrolet point in North Carolina between ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/3v-6NZCd2Fs/ http://www.ismintraining.com/marketing/dealership-online-properties/all-digital-dealer-not-a-myth/ I can still remember what it was like when I first got into the car business.  I was fresh out of the Army after completing a three year enlistment.  This was almost 20 years ago.  The training I received was minimal to say the least.  I was thrown into a ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/TgyUYj4UgTA/ http://www.ismintraining.com/process/road-to-the-sale/new-to-selling-cars-some-tips-to-live-by/ Networking is a critical aspect of business.  From dealer 20 groups, business after hours and the morning coffee shop huddle found at every java house in America.  So it amazed me when I read an article by Mark Dubis discouraging the automotive industry from using networking sites such as myspace, ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/GUIc9EcgmSE/ http://www.ismintraining.com/process/road-to-the-sale/will-online-networking-sell-any-cars/ The automotive SEO world is heating up among the blogosphere and it is great to see many people so passionate about their trade.  I too perform automotive search engine optimization in addition to helping dealers advertise on craigslist.org.  My automotive career has taken a huge turn since I reached out ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/AjeAjPMjFAM/ http://www.ismintraining.com/marketing/automotive-seo-marketing/automotive-seo-facts-and-fiction/ Automotive SEO can be perplexing for many and there are many conflicting opinions on what are the most important aspects.  Some weight links as the most important aspect and other claim content is what wins at the end of the day.  Very rarely is site structure discussed and that may ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/rxVGRRxyuUU/ http://www.ismintraining.com/marketing/traffic-to-your-site/automotive-seo-benefits-of-the-long-tail/ Online chat for customer interaction has huge potential especially when it has to deal with a service issue.  But the chat above shows why you should not outsource this part of your business. I recently opened a an account with Bank of America for my business banking and signed up for ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/5lhtHm0gtjY/ http://www.ismintraining.com/marketing/automotive-seo-marketing/some-things-just-cannot-be-outsourced/ Search engine marketing via pay per click can provide tremendous benefit for your dealership if you understand it's real value, implement it intelligently and understand it's limits. If used in correlation with effective search engine optimization your dealership can receive a great deal of traffic from online shoppers. Studies have ... http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/IsmInTraining/~3/mAAtPYMAOV8/ http://www.ismintraining.com/marketing/traffic-to-your-site/pay-per-click-is-it-right-for-you/