2 posts tagged “advertising”
You’ve been hearing it everywhere -- automotive blog marketing is one of the best and simplest ways to improve your search engine rankings without paying a fortune for the privilege. Once you’ve decided to go ahead with it, though, the big question still remains. Who’s going to write this stuff?
There are two main ways to get content onto your automotive dealership blog. You can have someone do it in-house -- either you or someone else who works for you -- or you can hire it out to someone else. There are pros and cons to each option. Here are some things to think about to help you make your decision.
Do you have enough to say?
If you’re doing the writing yourself, you’re going to need to find a lot of stuff to write about. A blog isn’t much of a blog if it’s only updated every couple of months, and you won’t reap many blog benefits if you don’t post often. If you or someone in your dealership can be counted on to consistently have something to say on relevant topics, you might want to write the blogs in-house and give it a really personal touch.
Can you write well?
If the only time you pick up a pen is to sign pay checks, writing a blog might not be for you. If you have good spelling and grammar skills, you’ll probably find blogging easy.
There are two things to think about on this issue. If you don’t write well, you can either hire an editor or you can publish as is and take the risk. Editors often cost more than writers, so you might end up spending more money and time to have someone else fix your writing. If you publish as is, you risk looking unprofessional. But if you’re confident in your ability to get good words on the screen, doing it yourself is a great way to go.
Do you have the time to write a blog?
Perhaps the most important consideration when it comes to automotive internet marketing is time. Marketing initiatives are resource intensive -- sometimes the resource is money and sometimes the resource is time. There aren’t many ways to market your car dealership that are free and fast.
If you have the time to devote to this project or you can delegate it to someone else who does, writing your blog yourself can be a great idea. If you know that this will be just one more project on your ever-expanding to do list, you might be better off paying for the content.
Remember five years ago, way back in the Internet dark ages, when the first question anybody asked you about your online brand marketing strategy was, “Do you have a website?”
This time last year, the question was “Do you have a blog?” This year, the question is different once again. Now the question on everybody’s lips is, “What’s your blog address?”
It’s no longer nice to have a blog, it’s assumed. You could almost go so far as to say it’s mandatory. Everybody has one, and web designers are rushing to keep up with the demand from people in every business wanting a shiny new blog for their not so new website. Auto dealers are no exception.
If your auto dealership isn’t already blogging, you’re probably wondering what all of the fuss is about. Why do you need a blog? Aren’t they just online diaries? Not anymore.
1. Blogs increase your auto dealership’s search engine standings.
When you create a static website, search engines crawl through the internet and find your blog once. They investigate the content, find out what your website’s all about, and they leave. If you don’t change anything, they don’t come back and update their information -- there’s nothing to update.
With a blog, your content is dynamic and changing. You’re adding new information constantly, creating a growing inventory of searchable terms, and giving search engine crawlers to come back for. Weekly or even daily you’re filling your website with rich information and increasing the value of the site, making it more and more likely that search engines will list you favorably among their top results.
2. Blogs help your auto dealership build a thriving community.
Imagine having an entire community of people lined up to hear your message. They come to you and answer your questions or help other readers with theirs. They take time out of their day to come and hang out on your website.
That’s what blogging can give you. With syndication services and email signups, a limitless number of potential customers will hear everything you want them to hear -- voluntarily. Your comment section will enable them to communicate directly with you and with other readers and buyers. You don’t just get customers -- you get loyal fans.
3. Blogs can give your auto dealership trusted expert status.
Traditionally, people considered blogs to be glorified diaries. While some people still use them for this purpose, the majority of blogs are topical and often business related. Your blog can be your forum for dispensing valuable advice on the car buying or car ownership experience. You can give advice on how to maintain the resale value of your vehicle, how to keep the new car smell, even how often someone should go between oil changes.
Imagine your potential customers having a question and instead of asking their neighbor, they come to your website. That’s what blogging can give you.
