How To Make The Most Of Social Media As A Motor Trader

Being on social media is now important for any business, and as a motor trader it can help you reach and interact with potential customers, as well as help you get free promotion.

Why Do You Need Social Media?

The world has changed, and everyone is on social media, from your friends and family to rival motor trade businesses. Whatever your motor trade business, it’s essential that you have some form of social media presence, with Facebook and Twitter being the most popular - you don’t want to be left behind!

What’s Available And How Do You Use It?

Social media can be a bit daunting, so here’s a breakdown of what’s out there and how you can use it to benefit your motor trade business.

Facebook

You probably already have a personal account with Facebook. If you don’t, you will need one to set up a ‘page’ for your motor trade business. A Facebook page works differently than the personal accounts, and they are specifically for things like businesses and organisations. You can’t just create a normal Facebook account for your motor trade business, as this doesn’t give a professional impression, and may suggest that you don’t necessarily know what you’re doing. Secondly, operating a bespoke page has a lot of benefits, such as allowing you to see how many people have seen your posts for example, as well as giving you the ability of scheduling posts, so that they appear on specific times and days that you select. You can even find out when your audience is viewing your posts. Not only this, but a business page also comes with the added perk of being able to pay for adverts that can be catered to certain audiences, such as Facebook users above the age of 20 or based in a certain town or city.

Twitter & YouTube

It’s not as beneficial as Facebook, but there are a lot of people on Twitter, and it can still help to promote your business. Twitter does have its limitations; for a start you’re restricted to just 280 characters per message/post so you will need to be concise, and you don’t have the ability to schedule posts or see who has viewed them and when. Twitter is best used to engage with potential customers and other motor traders, although you can still promote your business through it, posting images and videos, and to build a potential audience. Although YouTube isn’t strictly a social media site, it can still be used as a way to communicate to your customers. If you sell cars you could post videos of the cars, or if you are a mechanic or a valeter, you could show off your expertise by posting tutorials, and ‘How To’ videos. These videos can then be shared on Facebook and Twitter, or integrated into your website, to help generate interest in your business and the services you offer.

Linkedin

If you want to engage in conversation with other motor traders, car dealerships and keep up to date with the latest news in your industry then Linkedin could be a step in the right direction. While it is often known as ‘Facebook for business’, Linkedin is a perfect platform for connecting directly with an industry and showcasing your personal achievements, and that of your business. Like Facebook, Linkedin has the option to create a Business page with your personal account.

Engage With Your Customers & Suppliers

There’s no point signing up to various social media websites if you never really use them or post anything on them. On Twitter you can join in different conversations and start your own discussions, and you can respond to comments on your Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram posts. Coming across as friendly on social media doesn’t hurt, and it gives your company the human element that some other businesses neglect online. You can also use social media to find out more about, and engage with, other businesses and potential suppliers, to open up a relationship with them, which may help you when you’re in the market for a particular product or service. For example, follow Think Insurance on social media by clicking the links at the bottom of the page, and we could help you when it comes to your insurance renewal.

How To Deal With Complaints

There’s no right or wrong way to deal with complaints posted on your motor trade business’ social media sites. Addressing complaints isn’t easy and it depends on what platform you do it, but remember to remain diplomatic and professional. On Facebook it can look good if you respond to complaints posted on your wall, but there is always the option to turn off the review section of your Facebook page. Replying to Tweets actively brings attention to the complaint as every time a tweet is responded too, it repeats it on a person’s feed activity. It’s up to you how you deal with them, but remember not to get into an argument, as this will look unprofessional.

When To Post Things

Every audience is different, but generally the best times to post on weekdays are in the mornings between 7am and 9am, 11am and 1pm, and in the evenings between 6pm and 9pm. However, weekends are a little bit unpredictable, and it may take more time to get things right. It’s best to experiment with different times and note down when your posts get more traction. Facebook and Twitter both offer insights and stats that can help you determine when your audience is most active.

How Do You Get Posts Noticed?

Add pictures to your posts and make sure everything has an interesting title, it’s really as simple as that. It is also a good idea to see what your competition do, then try and do something a little bit different. There are also various ways to pay to promote your page, posts and tweets to get more exposure.

Look Presentable

Make sure your company logo is set as the profile picture, be consistent and use the same one for each social network. The cover photos should also represent your business properly, and make sure the photos you use are good quality and look professional.

Summary

Social media is a great way to advertise your business online, and promote the services and products you offer. It’s a great opportunity to interact with existing customers and of course potential customers, by posting interesting content. If you work in the motor trade and are looking to find out more about motor trade insurance, or to get a quote for your business, please call us on 0800 221 8061 or click Get a Quote below.