It is no secret that many car dealerships are struggling, with a lack of inventory causing prices to rise. Supply chain issues now burden dealers, making top-notch automotive advertising more valuable than ever. A great campaign includes eye-catching creative as well as expert strategy, and our team is proud to provide both. This is why car advertising trends are more important to stay on top of than ever before.
Here at M2, our marketing specialists have coordinated countless digital campaigns targeting prospective car buyers – and our clients could not be happier with the results! We have found social media to be a particularly useful platform, allowing dealers to connect with specific customers in a way that feels natural and relatable.
Read on to see why social media marketing works, and why so many of our satisfied clients consider it a vital component of their automotive advertising.
Social Media Statistics
The facts and figures make an irrefutable case for the popularity of social media:
- There are 3.94 billion users – over half of the world’s population! – registered on a social media platform.
- The average user spends nearly 2.5 hours each day surfing social media.
- Approximately 16 new users join a social media platform every second.
These statistics not only prove social media’s popularity, but its reach – and the inherent opportunity that comes with it. It’s more than a fade in car advertising trends, social media is inevitable in marketing. With social media growing more popular by the minute, marketing specialists are uniquely positioned to use statistics like these to clients’ advantage:
- 67% of online consumers have purchased a product after seeing it advertised on social media.
- 52% of online consumers reported buying something from a brand they follow on Facebook.
- 90% of all social media users have communicated with a brand on social media.
- 54% of users say that they browse social media in search of info on potential products to buy.
7 Ways To Improve Your Social Media Strategy For Car Advertising
Our advertising agency knows the automotive industry inside and out, specializing in strategy tailored to dealerships like yours. And when it comes to social media, it’s one of the car advertising trends never want to overlook. Here are a few tips for refreshing your social media strategy:
- Introduce yourself with a video.
A short video can make a major impact, especially for customers interacting with your brand for the very first time. Even a 15-second hello can make a great impression – one that customers might even share with family and friends. In fact, visual content is 40 times more likely to get shared on social media than other types of content, according to HubSpot. - Request reviews.
Car dealers know the incredible value of positive reviews and referrals. Ask happy customers to provide a review, then share it on social! - Create a testimonial video.
Referrals are the most trusted source of information for car buyers. That’s why compelling testimonials are so powerful! Record a short testimonial from each satisfied customer before they leave the lot, then combine them to make a must-see video! Our team has done countless commercial shoots for car dealers across the country, producing testimonial video campaigns that got great results. - Target potential prospects.
Once you have set your sights on your ideal customers (SUV drivers, subprime customers, eco-conscious buyers, etc.), M2’s marketing specialists can help you find them. Our team will determine the best platform, then meet buyers where they are! - Get more from giving back.
Highlight the good your dealership is doing in the community, such as donating to local charities, volunteering, or supporting a worthy cause. Share photos of your team rolling up their sleeves or handing over a check to charity to ensure customers know you truly put your community first. - Focus follow-ups on the prospective sale.
Be sure to respond to every customer that reaches out. After answering their question, ask one of your own to learn more about their needs. - Build trust with the right content.
Take your customers’ most frequently asked questions into account when deciding which types of content to post. Whether you’re featuring reviews, offering monthly incentives or providing details about a new vehicle, it’s important to include a mix of visual (photos, video, infographics, etc.) and informative (blogs, web content, etc.) content.
Understanding the Social Media Platform That Works For Your Car Dealership
When it comes to social media marketing, not all platforms are created equal. While each boasts benefits, it is important to decide which platform suits your needs best. Your dedicated M2 marketing specialist can help, considering your goals, target demographics and budget.
Twitter
While it can’t compete with Facebook’s reach, Twitter offers some unique benefits to car dealers. Regularly post short, attention-grabbing Tweets or provide links to longer form content. The optimal frequency of posts may take some trial and error to determine, but M2’s marketing specialists can help figure out how often your audience wants to hear from you.
Instagram
Instagram is THE SPOT to connect with millennial drivers – no question. Surveys show that nearly 2 out of every 3 social media users between 18 and 29 years old have an Instagram account. To ensure your content stops them mid-scroll, newsfeed ads should be between 15 and 30 seconds long.
Facebook
When it comes to popularity, Facebook is Queen Bee. That’s why it’s the #1 social network for branded videos, with 81% of brands surveyed reporting that they regularly post there. Local groups/pages also present a great opportunity to connect with potential customers. More and more automotive dealers are now joining these groups, posting vehicles and interacting with interested customers.
YouTube
YouTube users are incredibly engaged, with their eyes already glued to the screen when your ad content appears – from pre-roll video to text-based pop-ups. Plus, the platform allows marketers to carefully target their audience and monitor each ad’s performance.
Pinterest
Once solely known as a resource for recipes and DIY hacks, Pinterest now offers great potential for marketers. “Promoted pin” advertisements are gaining speed, and may be an asset to your automotive advertising campaign.
LinkedIn
Start by filling out your profile, including appealing photos and relevant details about your dealership. You can even ask close connections to recommend you!
TikTok
Did you know that some car companies – namely Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Hyundai – were early adopters of TikTok? These brands, and many more since TikTok’s initial rise to fame, use the platform as a virtual vehicle showroom.
Social Media Car Advertising Dos and Don’ts
- DO: Keep up an active social media presence.
- DON’T: Allow content to go off-brand.
- DO: Tailor content to your target demo.
- DON’T: Offer the same exact content across platforms.
- DO: Incorporate eye-catching imagery.
- DON’T: Ignore followers’ questions, messages or comments.
- DO: Utilize a content calendar to stay organized.
- DON’T: Make a post without proofreading.
- DO: Remember that social media is meant to be social.
- DON’T: Go wild with hashtags.
Best Times To Post on Social Media
When you post is nearly as important as what you post. But never fear, M2’s marketing specialists know the best times to post, always making sure your content stands out.
For Facebook, the best days to post are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For B2C businesses, 9am to 10am, 12pm to 1pm, and 4pm to 5pm are prime times.
Twitter is a different story, with the best engagement for B2C businesses reported on the weekend, from 8am to 10am, at high noon, and from 7pm to 9pm.
Save Instagram posts for Friday, at 8am, 1pm or 9pm, for peak performance. Wednesday at noon will get B2C businesses the most LinkedIn love, and Pinterest posts do best on Fridays and Saturdays, from 8am to 11am and 2am to 4am.
Bonus Tip: Hire An Experienced Marketing Agency Near Me | Motivated Marketing Is Ready!
At Motivated Marketing, our team is committed to serving yours. With a solid 15 years of experience to our name, M2 is a full-service advertising agency in every sense. From car advertising trends, healthcare, legal and other industries, we have the expertise on what is working in today’s digital world. We offer a long list of services aimed toward growing your business, always staying true to the brand identity that makes you who you are.
Through open communication, frequent updates and proven strategy, our team manages your account like only M2 can. To see for yourself, or to meet one of our dedicated marketing specialists, message us now!
Learn more about each of our main verticals here:
Automotive advertising
Healthcare advertising
Legal advertising
And check out the A-to-Z comprehensive marketing services we provide:
- Brand Development
- Digital Advertising
- Direct Mail
- Email Marketing
- Graphic Design
- Media Buying
- SEO
- Social Media
- Video Production
- Web Development
To consult a marketing specialist, contact us today! Feel free to shoot us a message or call 843-856-7322. We can’t wait to talk strategy and car advertising trends to support your business growth.