V IE W P OINT S
WEB DEALING
HOW IS YOUR DEALERSHIP
KEEPING UP WITH THE
RECENT CHANGES AT
GOOGLE?
Google is a moving target. We
had set up and verifed our
Google Business Places several
years ago, but now, with the changes Google
has made in the last few months, we made sure
to verify our Google+ Local pages. And we
have a plan in place to utilize our Google+ pages in a similar fashion to our Facebook page.
Although we don't have the same following
and usage on Google+, we realize the impor-
MAILBAG
TO COURTNEY COLE: I read with great interest your article ("Fundamentally Sound,"
Page 56) in the April issue of Auto Dealer
Monthly. It shows how much of a deep thinker
you are and what a great understanding you
have of this business.
I did have a request regarding item No. 4 in
your article, where you talked about ways to
encourage referrals. You mentioned there are
many clever ways to do that. Can you share a
few? Tanks!
Don Tornton
President
Don Tornton Cadillac
Tulsa, Okla.
We ask for referrals twice. Te frst time we
ask for a referral is at delivery. We have delivery
coordinators who do all our new and used deliveries. We pass out a book that goes over service
tance of connecting with our circles, posting
links to our websites and blog posts, and adding videos and photos to help optimize our site
organically through Google.
In respect to Google reviews, we signed
up with a reputation management company
that will help us respond to our positive and
negative reviews in a timely, more consistent
manner.
Tim Northburg
Internet Sales Manager
Markley Motors, Inc.
Fort Collins, Colo.
Executive Editor
Gregory Arroyo
310-533-2592
gregory.arroyo@bobit.com
Senior Editor
Stephanie Forshee
310-533-2496
stephanie.forshee@bobit.com
Associate Editor
Brittany-Marie Swanson
310-533-2588
brittany.swanson@bobit.com
Art Director
Vince Taroc
Sales & Marketing Coordinator
Tracey Tremblay
310-533-2518
tracey.tremblay@bobit.com
and everything else about the store. Included in
that book is an explanation of our referral program (how it works) and they go over it with
every delivery.
We then mail out a dozen cookies that usually get to the customer seven to 10 days afer
delivery. Included in that package are two cards
from the salespeople, a thank you from us (the
owners), and an additional card that explains
our referral program for sold customers. Te
program includes $200 to the referring person
and an additional $200 of the vehicle the buying customer purchases. Tus, it's a win-win for
both parties.
Our Cookie Program pays $200 while the
program at delivery says we'll pay $100 for the
frst three referrals. We do it this way to plant
the seed at delivery. Ten we blow them away
with the Cookie Program afer they have been in
the car for a week. Ñ Courtney Cole
To appear in June's Viewpoints, please answer the following question: What CRM system do
you use and why? Please submit your answer and a photo to Executive Editor Gregory Arroyo at
Gregory.Arroyo@Bobit.com. The magazine also welcomes any comments or questions about any
of the articles appearing in this month's issue. — Auto Dealer Monthly
AUTO DE ALE R MONTHLY • M AY 2013
Publisher, Dealer Group
National Sales Manager
David Gesualdo
727-947-4027
david.gesualdo@bobit.com
National Sales Manager
Anna Hildebrandt
888-300-8844
anna@autodealermonthly.com
GOT A QUESTION OF THE MONTH?
6
Vice President
Group Publisher, AutoGroup
Sherb Brown
310-533-2451
sherb.brown@bobit.com
E-Media and Print
Production Manager
Brian Peach
310-533-2548
brian.peach@bobit.com
Web Producer
Greg Moon
310-533-2543
greg.moon@bobit.com
Audience Marketing Manager
Tony Napoleone
Chairman
Edward J. Bobit
President & CEO
Ty F. Bobit
Chief Operating Offcer
Cyndy Drummey
Chief Financial Offcer
Richard E. Johnson
Business and Editorial Offce
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