Beyond The First Pencil

This week, Kathi and Mike share their insights on the value of uploading images to Google Business Profiles (formerly known as Google My Business). Supported by insanely positive, data-backed evidence, it’s clear that when you, your customers and your employees add images to your profile, they are viewed by a large number of users, which increases your search visibility. We offer some motivational tactics for your sales team to help you increase sharing of photos, too!

Mike’s Riverside Cars and Coffee has become a phenomenon. It began with six cars showing up on a Sunday morning and has grown to hundreds of people bringing their classic cars out for everyone’s enjoyment. What a great way to support the community! 

Check out Riverside Cars and Coffee on:
Instagram HERE
Website HERE

One of our favorite things to talk about is car salespeople getting more traction on social media in 2022. Don't forget to grab Kathi’s FREE social selling guide available HERE.

Then, we talk about attending live music shows going into 2022 and what an impact not being able to attend has had on us as music lovers. We are totally looking forward to the day when we can rock out again in person!

Have you ever needed something important done and thought, “I can do it myself!”? Well, Mike shares his story of living that reality and the perils that come with it. It brought to mind the pitfalls that retailers and their staff can fall into with social media. We tell a few “horror stories” and of course we share what to do instead.

A good social media manager is hard to find. Kathi and Mike talk about what to look for in a social media manager and how social has changed over the last few years making it more complex and even more difficult to navigate. 

FREE STUFF:

• Get Kathi’s FREE Social Media Manager Job Description Guide HERE.
• Check out Kathi’s post on the 10 qualities of an extraordinary social media manager HERE.

Then, we chat about a new NBC sitcom series called, “American Auto.” Kathi watched the first two episodes and can safely say it’s a winner. Check it out HERE.

The GoGo’s played The Whisky last night. Alison Martino (Vintage Los Angeles) was there and shared a video on Twitter. PS: she’s a great follow: @alisonmartino

And finally, we celebrate the 42nd anniversary of The Clash’s epic album “London Calling” and the legacy that Joe Strummer left when he passed away at age 50 this week in 2002. We miss him! 

It’s crazy to think about it but yes, we are still talking about social media fails. The reason we’re still talking about them is because they are still happening in automotive retail. Getting hacked is scary but if you’ve got a good social media manager who’s on their toes, (and a good social media policy in place) catastrophes can be avoided.

What about orphaned social profiles where the admin was an employee who is no longer with the company? Kathi and Mike share their tactics and solutions for getting (and keeping) your social media on track.

With digital retail evolving, now is the time for car salespeople to ramp up their efforts on social media. We share some of our techniques to help you build rapport with followers and turn them into customers. Kathi offers a FREE VIP Guide to Social Selling - you can grab it HERE.

Then, we share a few of our favorite 80s music shows/venues that impacted our lives. You don’t want to miss this!

Finally, Kathi found a great documentary called: “New Wave: Dare to Be Different.” It’s about the legendary radio station WLIR in NYC and how they broke so many UK bands into the US. Lots of 80s New Wave bands appear and are interviewed. Check it out HERE. 

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes. Turn and face the strange....

Geez, so much is happening with the automotive supply chain. Kathi and Mike discuss the short-term and long-term effects of vehicle inventory and how dealers are adapting their customer experience, both good and not so good, to keep up with the constant changes.

The “build-to-order” model is being talked about even more now, with some manufacturers implementing it. How will customers behave when offered a “build-to-order” car with its history of not working well on a grand scale? In our right-now world of Amazon, is waiting 6-8 weeks for a vehicle really feasible?

Also, sky-high prices now but what happens when the bullwhip effect bestows its magic? How will customers behave a few years down the road when they’ve purchased (and financed) their $69,000 vehicle today for $85,000? What does this mean for customer retention?

We’ve been busy consuming documentaries and books (in our spare time!). Here are the links to the highlights and recommendations we talk about in this week’s episode:

Lemmy: The Legend of Motorhead documentary: HERE

Woodstock 99 documentary: HERE

The Curse of Von Dutch: HERE

Miles Copeland book “Two Steps Forward, One Step Back”: HERE

PS: Would you like to learn on how to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport through existing connections...and sell more? Download your FREE Social Selling Guide today. HERE

Kathi and Mike cover the “new idea” of having a “social champion” at the store to collect and publish content that improves organic engagement on social channels. The catalyst for our discussion was a recent Automotive News article spotlighting a dealership who’s doing this and getting great results. 

Note: We just have to say...that we’ve been advocating for this strategy for TEN YEARS. Why oh why did it take so long to become accepted?

Google My Business is renaming itself (again!) to Google Business Profile. We talk about its trajectory, why it’s so important to create and optimize your own, and the crazy AWESOME results Mike has achieved having been working in it for over ten years.

Then, we chat about the absolute debacle at Travis Scott’s concert in Houston TX. An ICU nurse who was rendered unconscious tells her story in a video (link below) and how she woke up then suddenly realized people needed help due to the inept “medical” personnel on-site. She went from nearly dead to becoming a hero within 30 minutes! 

Spend a few minutes witnessing this nurse’s account of her harrowing experience HERE

There are many musicians HERE that call out bad behavior in their audience, some even stop their performance. But Mr. Scott not only didn’t stop or call out anyone, he went to an after party when it was all over. 8 people are dead, including children, and hundreds were injured.

We close with a nod to Spinal Tap, the greatest heavy metal band to ever live, being interviewed in 1992 on Good Morning America HERE.

PS: Would you like to learn on how to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport through existing connections...and sell more? Download your FREE Social Selling Guide today. HERE

Kathi and Mike talk about a situation that happened last week and all dealers should take note: Keeping a close watch on vendor activity around digital assets. We explain what we found and provide ways to prevent situations like this from happening to you.

Here’s a link HERE to the Facebook Pixel Helper extension we mentioned so you can do your own reconnaissance work.

We also talk about (squeeeee!) The Go-Go’s being inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame! This pure Los Angeles band is both Kathi’s and Mike’s favorite - they are from our ‘hood!

Resources to check out:

Kathy Valentine’s book: All I Ever Wanted” HERE

Gina Schock’s book “Made in Hollywood: All Access With the Go-Go’s” HERE

The Go-Go’s Documentary HERE

The Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is on HBO and airs November 20th! HERE

PS: Would you like to learn on how to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport through existing connections...and sell more? Download your FREE Social Selling Guide today. HERE

A lot of consolidation happening in auto retail - lots of buying and selling of dealerships. Many buyers talk about needing a "cultural fit" before they buy, but what are they willing to do to keep to that promise? We'd love to hear about some real strategies and applications of a "cultural fit."

What would happen in auto retail if we had a customer-centric, employee-centric culture?

Then we talk about the effect of inventory shortages and the trade cycle and long-term effects of current practices.

We also touch on dealer/manufacturer relationships, how they've changed over the years and what could be done to support dealers more. How do private owners get heard when public companies have such a large footprint and voice?

Music Notes:
INXS documentary "Mystify - Michael Hutchence" (highly recommend) HERE

"Live Baby Live" (INXS) HERE

Val Kilmer documentary "Val" (highly recommend): HERE

PS: Would you like to learn on how to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport through existing connections...and sell more? Download your FREE Social Selling Guide today. HERE

It's Mercury Retrograde and that means transitions! We are definitely in the middle of some things.

Shifts in the car business accelerating with supply chain issues. Going into the end of the year is not great but second quarter '22 should see some rebound (hopefully sooner!). Demand is driving orders and production will ramp up, then we'll need more transitions when things level out.

Are transitions creating new auto retail business models? The car business is still driven by impulse so how does the strain on 'right now delivery' effect how we do business?

Music Notes:
Kathi: Highly recommend The Style Council documentary: Long Hot Summers. And if you haven't seen it, check out The Jam documentary: About a Young Idea. Paul Weller transitioned from The Jam to The Style Council, which caused a lot of upheaval.
Link to Long Hot Summers documentary: HERE
Link to The Jam: About a Young Idea documentary: HERE

Mike:  Ministry, New Order and others had side projects. So much creativity for just one band. Tears for Fears in their song, "Sowing the Seeds of Love" called out The Jam/Style Council transition: "Kick out the style, bring back the Jam." Link to Sowing the Seeds of Love (the line we mention is at 1:20): HERE

PS: Would you like to learn on how to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport through existing connections...and sell more? Download your FREE Social Selling Guide today. HERE

Mike talks about his awesome monthly event Riverside Cars and Coffee. Hot Rods, muscle cars and coffee - what more could you want? Visit Riverside Cars and Coffee Instagram for more info: HERE

Then, we chat about the value of welcoming local car clubs and other groups to the dealership for MORE exposure. Bringing customers to the store is always good. In fact, Service Clinics were once common and could now be a renewed way to bring more people to the store. What could these events do to help differentiate the store in a competitive market?

X is playing their entire album "Los Angeles" at the Greek Theatre in October.

We also talk about Neil Diamond. Where else will you hear a discussion about X and Neil Diamond on the same podcast?

Cool things to check out:
AppleTV "Watch the Music" with Mark Ronson: HERE

PS: Would you like to learn on how to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport through existing connections...and sell more? Download your FREE Social Selling Guide today. HERE

Our second chat and we are getting better at this! Join Kathi and Mike for some great auto biz talk! We hope to inject a little humor to make our lives more enjoyable...and hopefully yours!

In this episode:

• Digital Retailing/Operational processes changing in auto retail.
• Consumer shopping behavior changes and how operations must adapt to serve customers and employees.
• Training and educating employees to instill consumer trust.
• Todays' inventory shortages, how prices will change quickly and why to be hyper-aware so you don't lose money.
• Threats to the franchise dealership model.
• Mike's awesome Google My Business tips!
• And finally, our shared love of music and concerts that had an impact on our young lives.

PS: Would you like to learn on how to laser-target your prospecting, establish rapport through existing connections...and sell more? Download your FREE Social Selling Guide today. HERE